How Long Do I Need to Wear My Invisalign Braces Each Day?

July 1, 2013

If you’ve researched Invisalign, you know that the aligners you’ll wear are removable. But does that mean you need to wear them all day long?

That will depend in part on the personal instructions you receive from Dr. John Robison or Dr. J.D. Robison. In general, though, the answer to that question is yes.

For Invisalign to work efficiently, pressure needs to be applied to teeth for at least 22 hours a day. So, when should you take your aligners out? To eat or drink, and for brushing and flossing. As a result, Invisalign lets you enjoy the same kind of diet you enjoyed before you started treatment. Plus, by taking your aligners out for brushing and flossing, patients are able to clean parts of their smile that would be harder to clean with bracket-and-wire braces.

In some cases, you may be able to take your aligners out for special events. This might include a night out with friends or a special date. But to achieve the results you want in the average treatment time of 12-18 months, it’s best to wear your aligners for the recommended amount of time each day.

Do you want to learn more about how Invisalign can help you enjoy a straighter smile without the need or metal brackets or wires? Call Robison Dental Group to schedule a consultation with Dr. John Robison or Dr. J.D. Robison.  Our dental team serves patients from Canton, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, Plymouth, and beyond.

Your Health and Inflammation

June 4, 2013

In our last post, we talked about the connection between hormone changes and oral health. Today we’d like to talk about another connection between oral and overall health. In this case, it has to do with the impact that stress can have.

Today, more than at any other point, our culture is driven by work and by staying plugged in. Regardless of where your stress comes from, though, it can contribute to inflammation in the body, including in your smile.

Inflammation is one of the body’s immune responses. As a natural response, it can do good work. But too much stress can interfere with the body’s ability to properly regulate inflammation. As a result, inflammation can actually become like a weapon the body uses against itself. That has consequences for your overall health, which includes your oral health. In 2012, the ADG reported that a definite link between stress and dental health exists. In their research, they point to problems with the immune system as a cause.

What this means for our Canton, MI patients is that following a good oral health routine is important. Dr. Robison recommends a regular routine of brushing twice a day, flossing at least once, and rinsing with an antibacterial or fluoride mouthwash. You should also visit Robison Dental Group twice a year, or about every six months.

Call us today to schedule an appointment. Our Canton office serves patients from Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, Plymouth, and beyond.

The Relationship between Hormones and Oral Health

May 21, 2013

Do you think of your smile as a separate from your overall health? It’s easy to do, but in reality, what happens in one part of your body can affect what happens in another. That’s even the case with hormone changes. When hormone levels rise and fall, that increases one’s vulnerability to a condition like gum disease.

Women are particularly at risk because of hormonal changes throughout their life. Three of the most obvious cases are puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. During these times, thorough at-home care and regular visits with Robison Dental Group are important.

But these aren’t the only times in life when hormonal changes can impact a woman’s oral health. Women taking birth control medication may find themselves at greater risk, while the menstrual cycle also contributes.

Taken together, this means that our Canton patients need to be especially vigilant about the health of their gums. It’s also important to let us know if you’re pregnant or taking birth control, since those can increase your vulnerability for gum disease.

To keep your smile at its healthiest, brush at least twice a day and floss at least once. We also recommend adding an antibacterial mouthwash to your regimen. Seeing Dr. Robison twice a year is also important, as is keeping to a balanced diet.

Has it been more than six months since your last dental visit? Call Robison Dental Group in Canton, MI to schedule your appointment. We provide general, cosmetic, and restorative care to patients from Canton, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, Plymouth, and beyond.

Periodontal Disease and Gum Health

December 13, 2012

gum diseasePeriodontal disease is a serious dental health concern. Here at Robison Dental Group we’re committed to checking you for signs of this disease at every appointment. This is yet another reason why it’s very important that you see us twice a year for your regular check up.

A common form of periodontal disease is gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums. Gingivitis is caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar left on the teeth. After a while, they will irritate the gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, where the gums start to pull away from the teeth and infected pockets develop.

Drs. John and J.D. Robison provide periodontal therapy to help treat this condition. We have a non-surgical treatment available to help remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. Your gums will go from being swollen and bleeding to a nice, healthy pink color. But first, our doctors will meet with you and create a customized treatment plan to get your gums healthy again!

Some general signs that you might have gingivitis include swollen and bleeding gums, and chronic bad breath. If you’re concerned about the health of your gums, give us a call, we’d love to help you!

If you’re interested in learning more about periodontal disease, call our Canton office today! At Robison Dental Group we’re committed to providing quality oral care to our patients from Canton, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland and Plymouth!

The Importance of Post-Operative Care

November 29, 2012

When you have dental work done, the care doesn’t stop at the chair. Oftentimes, there are special care instructions, known as post-operative instructions, that you’ll need to follow immediately after the procedure to ensure you don’t undo the good work that was just done.

The helpful post-operative instructions you’ll receive from Robison Dental Group in Canton will help guide you through the recovery period and ensure your teeth remain healthy. Sometime they’re tips about sensations you may be feeling, and sometimes they’re specific tasks, such as  brushing your teeth a certain way. Either way, they’re an important resource.

After your treatment, our trained staff will go over any restrictions or special instructions you’ll need to follow. You can also find a list of our post-operative instructions on our website for reference.  There you’ll find instructions for numerous procedures, including crown and bridges, deep teeth cleaning, dentures, extractions, fillings, root canals, implants and gum surgery.

It is very important to follow the instructions carefully. After spending the time and effort to undergo these procedures, you don’t want to do something that could potentially negatively impact them.

If you have any additional questions after your treatment, feel free to call our Canton office! Our doctors are here to help with any questions or concerns you may have. At Robison Dental Group we’re committed to providing quality oral care to our patients from Canton, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland and Plymouth!

Effective Sedation Dentistry for Canton-Area Patients

October 12, 2012

For many patients, anxiety is an impediment to essential oral care. But it doesn’t have to be the way. If you put off or avoid important dental visits because of fear, Dr. John and J.D. Robison have a simple but effective service known as oral sedation that can help you overcome your worries and get the treatment you need.

Oral sedation dentistry has been used by dentists for more than 30 years. It is an absolutely safe method of inducing feelings of peace and relaxation. What’s more, patients who choose oral sedation dentistry often remember little or nothing at all about their appointment afterwards.

Here’s how it works.

During your consultation with us, your doctor will write you a prescription for a commonly used sedative or anti-anxiety medication. Then, when you leave our Canton dental office, you’ll just need to have it filled so you can take your pill on the day of your next treatment.

Because of how powerful the effectives of oral sedation are, you’ll need to have a trusted companion—either a friend or a family member—with you to drive you to and from your appointment. By the next day you’ll be free to return to your regular activities with a healthier smile and improved confidence in your oral health.

To find out how oral sedation from Robison Dental Group can help you, give our Canton office a call today. We’re proud to provide patients from Canton, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth with excellent oral sedation dentistry.

Overcome Sleep Apnea and Snoring with Non-Surgical Relief

September 28, 2012

If you routinely go through your day feeling like you haven’t slept a wink, sleep apnea could be the reason why. Sleep apnea is a common but under-diagnosed condition in which patients stop breathing for 10 seconds or more during sleep. As a result, patients with sleep apnea wake up periodically throughout the night to take a breath, and sometimes without even know it.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

 

  • Daytime drowsiness
  • Stress
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory loss
  • Fatigue
  • Accidents at home, at work, or behind the wheel

But one of the most common symptoms of all is something you might never have thought of: snoring. Sleep apnea and snoring often go hand-in-hand because they’re both caused by obstructed airways. As a result, if you can treat obstructive sleep apnea, you can also treat snoring.

Effective Treatment from Robison Dental Group

If you struggle with snoring and sleep apnea, our doctors at Robison Dental Group have an effective, non-surgical therapy that can help. With a custom-made intraoral appliance, Dr. John and J.D. Robison can help you reposition your jaw, leaving your important airways open while you sleep. As a result, you can finally get the rest you deserve so you can feel great in the morning.

Do you struggle with sleep apnea? Has your partner complained about your snoring? Call our Canton dental office today to schedule your consultation appointment. Our entire team at Robison Dental Group would be happy to assess your health and recommend a treatment plan.

We serve patients from Canton, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth.

Invisalign: A Clear Alternative to Traditional Braces

August 28, 2012

If you’ve dreamed of a straighter smile but think the only way to achieve one is with traditional braces, you’re missing out. At Robison Dental Group, we offer a revolutionary orthodontic solution called Invisalign that’s helping us change the lives of Canton-area teens and adults.

What makes Invisalign different? The answer is threefold. Invisalign is:

  • Clear
  • Removable
  • Convenient

Now, let’s take a look at each one of these.

Clear

Traditional braces use effective but unattractive brackets and wires to gradually move teeth into their ideal position. Invisalign, on the other hand, relies on a series of clear trays instead, each of which is custom-made for your smile and is intended to bring you closer and closer to your goal. And because your aligners are clear, you can look forward to treatment that’s more discreet and unobtrusive, leaving you feeling more confident as you go to work or school.

Removable

Besides being clear, there’s another benefit to Invisalign—your aligners are removable. What that means is you can still enjoy all your favorite foods by simply taking out your aligners when it’s time to eat. But that’s not all it means. By taking out your aligners to brush and floss, you can keep your teeth cleaner than you can with traditional braces, which can encourage tooth decay and gum disease.

Convenient

Both of the above combine to make treatment with Invisalign a more convenient orthodontic solution for Canton-area patients to consider. Because Invisalign uses clear trays instead of brackets and wires, no tightening appointments are needed. Instead, we’ll just need to check your progress periodically. And because removable trays make it easier to keep your teeth clean, future appointments for common oral health problems are less likely.

Are you ready to talk about how Invisalign can help you? Call Robison Dental Group today to schedule an appointment with Dr. John R. Robison or Dr. J.D. Robison. Our doctors serve patients from Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth.

Contemporary Restorative Care for Canton-Area Patients

August 14, 2012

At some point, every smile will need restorative help of some kind, even if it’s just a small filling. That’s why our doctors and team members at Robison Dental Group of Canton have made providing great restorative dental care a top priority. With our popular and effective services we can help patients from all surrounding areas enjoy improved functionality and confidence.

Our Canton-area restorative dentistry services include:

Not sure which of these services you might need, though? You don’t have to figure out that out on your own; that’s why we’re here! Through a simple but compassionate consultation visit with Dr. John R. Robison or Dr. J.D. Robison, we can help you decide which restorative dentistry option is most right for you.

After we’ve helped you choose a restorative dentistry service, we can work with you to put together a plan that works with your schedule and brings you closer and closer to your goal of having a more functional smile that is also more attractive and inviting.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

If you’re ready to create a new smile, call our Canton dental office today. We proudly serve patients from Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth with great general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry.

Restore Your Smile’s Functionality and Appearance with Full-Mouth Makeover

July 31, 2012

At Robison Dental Group, we offer great restorative dentistry services to help our patients from Canton and beyond improve the appearance and functionality of their smiles. But for some patients, it may take more than one service to completely restore what’s been lost. That’s why Dr. John Robison and Dr. J.D. Robison also offer a service known as full-mouth reconstruction.

What Is Full-Mouth Reconstruction?

That question can’t be answered simply. After all, every patient has different needs, which means that every full-mouth reconstruction we complete will be a bit different. Regardless of the specifics, though, each full-mouth reconstruction draws from general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry to create a beautiful, functional smile.

Your full-mouth reconstruction could include services like:

  • Crowns and fillings
  • Bridgework
  • Partial and full dentures
  • Dental implants, and more

Your doctor will work closely with you to create a treatment plan that achieves the results you’ve been looking for.

Want to find out more about any of these services? Take a look around our website or give our Canton office a call. We’d be happy to schedule a consultation visit for you. Consultation visits are important because they give your doctor a chance to get to know exactly what your needs are.

Call us today. We serve patients from Canton, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth.