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YES! X-rays have been used in dentistry for a long time, and the amount of radiation has significantly decreased with advances in technology. While there is risk in every health diagnostic procedure at Henagan Team Dentistry, the benefits must outweigh the risks. Dental X-rays do indeed fall into this category.

X-rays are exposed to a type of film to produce an image. The amount of X-rays required to produce this image differs with film speeds. Speed E or F is highly recommended, and digital X-rays require up to 50% less than speed E or F film. The digital X-ray software can adjust the exposure to produce a quality image. Digital X-rays are becoming a new standard and are most common.

Lead aprons have been used to reduce the amount of scatter radiation. All X-ray units have a cone to focus the X-ray beam so the exposure is highly localized. Lead aprons continue to be worn as a precaution for pregnant women, and a thyroid collar should also be worn. In most cases, this is sewn into the lead apron.

We get radiation exposure from environmental factors as well as healthcare diagnostic and treatment tools. To place this in perspective, in one year a person is expected to have 360mRem per year from the sun, air etc. By comparison, a single set of bitewing X-rays is 0.3mRem. Radiation can accumulate in our body over a lifetime, and additional exposure should be avoided whenever possible.

If you are one of the more than 12 million North Americans who suffers from sleep apnea, Dr. Henagan and our team want you to know we can help. Sleep apnea, a disorder that causes frequent disruption to your body’s sleep patterns, is also potentially dangerous, as it causes abnormal pauses in breathing or very shallow breathing during the night.

For those who suffer from sleep apnea, it may seem impossible to wake up feeling rested and energized. You may, for example, sleep for eight hours, but your body might have only received three or four hours of quality sleep.

Besides losing a good night’s sleep, the risk of heart attack and stroke have been linked to sleep apnea. Other conditions associated with sleep apnea include depression, irritability, high blood pressure, memory loss, and sexual dysfunction.

Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax to the point of inhibiting natural breathing. The muscles used to support the soft palate relax and the airway closes, causing breathing to stop for anywhere from ten to 20 seconds, which is dangerous because it lowers the oxygen level in the brain.

Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, and CPAP devices (continuous positive airway pressure), among other treatments, are often prescribed for sleep apnea treatment. Another treatment option is an oral sleep apnea appliance, which positions your mouth in a way that brings your lower jaw forward and opens up your airway for unobstructed breathing.

At Henagan Team Dentistry, we truly care about the health and well-being of our patients. In fact, we regularly screen our patients for sleep disorders during their regular checkups, and we will refer you to a sleep apnea specialist if an issue is detected. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call at our New Iberia, LA office if you think you have sleep apnea or if you have any questions or concerns!

With a new year comes a new opportunity to refocus on all the things you want to accomplish. We know this can seem especially daunting after a long holiday with delicious food and ample time for relaxation with family and friends, but we’ve got a few tips on how to get you going!  

First up, write it all down. Putting your to-dos on paper is a great way of ensuring they actually get done. Once you’ve gotten them all written out, start doing them! There is no time like the present. Don’t say you’ll start tomorrow or a week from today. Just get going! Lastly, really commit to giving everything your all. Be passionate about what you do and we promise the results will be great.

On that note, it should come as no surprise that we believe mindset is everything. Imagine if we all embraced the things that had to be done instead of complaining about them? Or if we all stopped talking about the things we wanted and instead were proactive about making them happen? A positive and thankful mindset can really go a long way.

Regardless of what your resolutions are for the year, we hope you all recommit (or continue to stay committed) to your oral hygiene. Really think about the times that work the best for you so you can brush and floss without being a rush. Your teeth will thank you!

Another way to help yourself meet your goals is by thinking ahead. If you know you’ll be too busy to cook nutritious food, for example, try tossing something into a crock pot! It’s so easy to add all your ingredients and it’s great to come home to a ready to eat meal.

Lists and cooking aside, remember that a big part of staying balanced is accepting the things that come your way with grace. Even when things don’t end up the way you wanted them to, trust that it will all work out in the end. Moreover, make sure to treat yourself and make time to do the things that you enjoy like exercising or curling up on the couch with a good book. Personally, we’ve got The Friendship Project on our reading list and can’t wait to get started!

Outside of all our personal goals in 2018, we really want to start participating in more service events in the community. We also hope to make more time to spend with friends and family members! What do you have planned for this year?

We hope you’re all having a phenomenal start to the year and we can’t wait to see you in the office! Remember, one person can make a difference. Don’t be afraid to let that person be you.

A dental filling replaces and restores the health of a tooth that has been damaged. Often, the need for a filling results from a cavity due to a large amount of decay in a tooth.

Teeth may also require repairs after cracking from chewing on hard objects, trauma to the mouth, grinding or clenching of your teeth, uneven chewing pressure, or exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures.

Over time, a filling may have to be replaced after normal wear and tear has occurred. There are signs and symptoms to watch out for if your tooth may need a replacement filling, or a new filling. Henagan Team Dentistry performs various types of filling treatments, depending on the damage to the tooth.

Common signs and symptoms to watch out for if you have a cracked tooth can include sharp pain when you bite down, pain that comes and goes, discomfort when eating or drinking, or a constant feeling that something is stuck in your teeth. The crack may not be visible to the eye, which makes it hard to tell whether a tooth is actually cracked.

Pain may come and go quickly when you bite down because you’re expanding the crack with the combined pressure of your teeth. If you notice this happening, contact Dr. Henagan right away so we can get X-rays of your mouth and quickly fix the problem.

If you’ve had a filling in your mouth in the past, you could be due for a replacement. The seal between the tooth and the filling may break down over time, after which bacteria can build up underneath the filling and cause more decay.

It’s vital to catch this early so a filing can fix the problem. If you wait too long, a crown or a root canal may be the only option. You may not notice that a long-time filing is cracked or worn down, because it can take a long time to feel any discomfort. This is one of the reasons we recommend a dental checkup every six months.

If you need a tooth filling or a replacement filling, different filling choices vary in price. Gold fillings and porcelain fillings are more expensive options that last longer -- typically around 20 years. Porcelain fillings match the color of the rest of your teeth, however, which makes them less visible.

Another option is amalgam, or silver fillings, that less expensive but may be more noticeable in visible areas of your mouth. Composite, or plastic fillings, are another affordable option that can be matched to the color of your teeth. Composites are more likely to wear out over time and not last as long: usually around three to ten years.

If you think a past filling might be due for replacement, schedule an appointment at our New Iberia, LA office. Make sure to stay on top of your routine dental appointments in order to prevent decay from breaking down problem teeth.

If we catch the problem early, we can save you both money and time. Fillings can be a great way to resolve any existing teeth issues, and prevent extensive dental care practices from becoming necessary in the future.