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There is a big misconception that porcelain veneers are just for celebrities. That due to price, they are reserved for the rich and famous. Let me start by saying that this can’t be further from the truth.  Porcelain veneers are a wonderful, conservative treatment that can be very affordable with the right treatment plan and patient financing.

Just what are veneers? When teeth have imperfections such as rotations, discoloration and spaces, to name a few, a very thin layer of enamel can be removed and “veneered” to correct these cosmetic problems.  They are a conservative treatment that can make you smile! Here are some recent examples from our practice.

If you are curious as to what can be done to improve your smile, please give us a call. We serve patients from several communities, including Commerce Twp, Walled Lake, Novi, White Lake, Highland, West Bloomfield and Milford.

248-363-7121

Dream Dental Group

9600 Commerce Rd. Commerce Twp, MI 48382

As a dentist, my back and spine are constantly put to the test. I am constantly contorting into different positions to get the best view of the tooth or area of the mouth on which I am working, so I can provide my patients with the absolute best result. After thinking about this aspect of my job, a thought came to me.  I bet a lot of my patients have jobs that also put strain on their back and spine. So I consulted my good neighbor, Dr. Rich Sadowski, and he gave me the following helpful stretches that anyone can do at their desk in order to release tension and regain alertness without resorting to a caffeine or sugar fix.

1. Shoulder Stretch
   Lift your shoulders up to your ears until you feel a slight tension in your neck and shoulders. Hold for 3-5 seconds and relax shoulders. Do this 2-3 times at first sign of shoulder or neck tension.
2. Neck Stretch
   Tilt your head to one side, trying to touch your ear to your shoulder. Hold the stretch for 10-20 seconds and then return to normal. Repeat the stretch on the other side.
3. Spine Stretch
   Raise arms over head. Stretch your right hand to the ceiling and hold for 3-5 seconds, while you exhale. Relax. Repeat with the left hand.
4. Lower Back Stretch
   Place your hands on the edge of your desk and roll your chair back. Lower your head between your outstretched arms and arch your back while you exhale. Inhale, raise your head and arch your back in the other direction.

Dr. Sadowski can be found at Commerce Chiropractic Clinic at 8101 Commerce Rd. Suite B  Commerce Twp, MI 48382 or you can give him a call at 248-363-4999. He is the only chiropractor in southeast Michiggan certified in low force instrument adjusting.

Please give us your feedback on this post. I am always looking for ways to improve my patients oral and overall health.

Patrick J. Qatsha, DDS

P.S. If you have a friend or relative who might benefit from the many services offered at Dream Dental Group, please give us a call. 248-363-7121

If you ask just about anyone who wears dentures, they will tell you that they are unhappy with them. The reason for this is complete dentures become increasingly loose over time.

Why does this happen?

The jaw bone is meant to hold in the teeth, if the teeth are missing, the jaw bone slowly shrinks or resorbs over time.  If there is no jaw bone for your denture to suction to, then they simply float around in your mouth making it very difficult to eat  and speak. The longer you are without natural teeth, the worse it gets.

Have no fear, there is help!

Due to the advances in implant therapy, dentures can now be held in place very securely, making life much easier for denture wearers. It is very simple, once the implants are placed and stable (see my “Dental Implants in Commerce Township,” post) an attachment called an abutment is placed on the implant. Then, another attachment called a locator is placed inside of the denture. The locator looks like a tiny button. The two attachments line up when the denture is placed in the mouth and they snap together. Much like the snaps on a jacket!

A huge advantage to this technique, is your existing denture can often still be used. You do not always have to have a new denture made, which often saves on cost.  The number of implants required depends on the patient and is determined by the dentist placing the implants.  At Dream Dental Group, we have a Board Certified Periodontist who happens to be faculty at U of D Mercy Dental school placing all of our implants.

I have personally found this service to be one of the most rewarding in my practice. When patient’s call me to say how happy they are because they can now eat an apple or corn on the cob without the stress and worry of their denture falling out, it makes me so happy that I could make such a huge difference.

Dream Dental Group offers free implant consultations with our Board Certified Periodontist Dr. Leyvee Cabanilla Jacobs. Give us a call, you are never too old to enjoy eating!

248-363-7121

Denture Picture from http://www.smileglenellyn.com/gallery/album/implants/

Here is an announcement from our good friends at Commerce Chiropractic. It is an opportunity I wanted to share. It gives back to the community and helps you get healthy.

Chiropractic Opportunity    Week

We’re having a  “COW”

Open Door Outreach

Center and Pantry

Food Drive

Due to a decline of contributions this year, the need for any type of contribution is extremely high, particularly food donations. Commerce  Chiropractic is proud to help support those in need:

Unemployment Rate:

13.6% White Lake, 12.2% Commerce Township,

10.8% West Bloomfield, 4.1% Waterford

How can you help?

You can help by bringing friends, family members, or coworkers… any new patient you think could benefit from chiropractic care to our office during COW week: May 16th-20th.

They will receive a consultation, exam, and follow-up report for a donation of two non-perishable food items.  We will forward these on to the Open Door Outreach Center and Pantry

Call Commerce  Chiropractic to schedule an appointment.

248-363-4999

Make it a total body health day! Stop by or Call DREAM DENTAL GROUP after visting Commerce Chiropractic and make an appointment for your much needed dental check up and cleaning.

248-363-7121

Hello Folks. We have a guest post today from my colleague and neighbor down the road, Dr. Richard Sadowski of Commerce Chiropractic. Here are some tips for reducing the daily toll on your spine. As a dentist, this advice is a lifesaver.

Sit Up Straight!

Slouching may feel comfortable, but over time it will take a toll on your spine. So sit up straight!

Remember when your mother used to say things like, “Eat all your vegetables.” And, “Look both ways before you cross the street.” “A person is known by the company they keep.” And let’s not forget her mantra, “Sit up straight!”

So many people today work in sedentary jobs that require that they sit for most of the workday. However, whether sitting at a desk, or at a sporting event, or in front of a television set, good posture is imperative to your spinal health.

• Look at the way you are sitting right at this moment.
• Are your feet flat on the floor, with your knees at a 90° angle?
• Are your buttocks, back and shoulders up against the backrest of your chair?
• Does the chair you’re sitting in provide enough lumbar support? Does the backrest fit into the natural curve of your spine? Are all your spinal curves properly supported?
• Are your shoulders relaxed and even, not hunched in a forward position?
• Is your body weight equally distributed across both hips?
• Are your knees level with or slightly lower than your hips?

If you answered “No” to any of these questions, you are probably exerting undue stress on your spine; this may eventually cause back pain.

Keep in mind that it is not a good idea to sit in the same position for more than 40 minutes. Chronic slouching affects the discs between the vertebrae and may cause them to bulge or become herniated. Take the time to stand up and stretch your back and legs or take a short walk periodically.

The chair you use should provide lumbar support that allows the backrest to fit into the curve in your lower back. This helps to avoid too much pressure on the spine and prevents back muscles from getting fatigued. If your chair doesn’t have it, you can use a rolled towel or invest in a lumbar support pillow to provide you with the proper amount of spinal support. If you sit for long periods, it is certainly worth the investment.

I often refer my patients to Dr. Sadowski.

He can be reached at

8101 Commerce Road, Suite B

Commerce Township, MI 48382

248-363-4999

www.commercechiropractic.com

Enjoy.

Patrick J. Qatsha, DDS

Here are some more pics of the progress of the new building. I can’t really keep up. It is changing on a daily basis.

Lobby sneak peak….

More to come.

See ya soon! 248-363-7121

Do you have a child who plays a contact sport, or a sport where a ball is used? Did you know that one of the most common injuries to occur in sports is a concussion. Are you wondering what can be done to minimize your child’s risk for concussion.

Help is on the way! Studies show that the use of an athletic mouthguard professionally made by a dentist can reduce the risk of  a concussion.

What is a concussion? A concussion is a brain injury, and can be defined by varying levels of severity. They are caused by bumps or blows to the head.  They are usually not visible to the naked eye, and signs or symptoms can show up immediately or might go unnoticed for days or weeks after the injury.

If you notice any of the following, your child may be suffering from a concussion.

-Dazed, confused, forgetful

-Answers questions slowly

- Can’t recall events prior to being hit

-Can’t recall events after being hit

-Loss of consciousness

The following are symptoms often reported by the injured athletes.

- Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head.

- Nausea and/or vomiting

- Poor balance or dizziness

- Sensitivity to noise or light

- Memory problems, confusion, “doesn’t feel right”

If you think your child may have a concussion seek medical attention immediately, keep your child out of play until cleared by a doctor, and always inform the child’s coach about any previous or existing concussions.

Concussions are an ever present danger in athletics, and can occur in male and female athletes. Traditional “boil and bite” athletic mouthguards do not usually fit well enough to stay in the child’s mouth when a severe blow or hit occurs. They are usually ejected from the mouth, rendering them virtually useless. A mouthguard professionally made by a dentist is made of a durable, resilient material and has a custom fit. They are an affordable option that provides priceless protection for your athlete.

This past fall, Dream Dental Group provided custom made mouthguards for the Walled Lake Northern Football Varsity, JV, and Freshman teams free of charge. We love giving back to the community. If you know someone who might benefit from an athletic mouthguard, call us today.    248-363-7121

Picture provided by the American Academy of Sports Dentistry

Here is the latest….

Have a full time job? Don’t forget, we are open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:00am to 8:00pm. Call for an appointment.

248-363-7121

Well, it is official. Construction of our new building has begun. It is scheduled to be completed this spring. Below are some recent pictures. Keep a look out for updates, its very exciting!

Our New Office….coming soon.

Don’t forget, we have a gum specialist on staff. Missing a tooth? Need an implant? Give us a call. We are always accepting new patients.

248-363-7121