Posted by drgracesun on December 10, 2010 under General Dental Knowledge, Information | 
Believe it or not – dogs really do snore! It’s an unfortunate trait, but the relatively thick / short necks and large tongues of certain breeds (like pit bulls) usually mean excess soft tissue. Lost muscle tone decreases the flow of air, causing an obstruction in which the collapsed airway will vibrate. This results in the snores you’ve come to hate (or tolerate), especially if your dog sleeps in your bed!
Humans and dogs snore for the same reasons – something is blocking their upper airway, due to either a “fat” neck or extra tissue blocking the airway while reclining or laying down. If your dog has consistent loud snoring, or gasps for breath, schedule an appointment with his veterinarian. The following are some of the top associations with snoring:
- Being Overweight: Does your dog have a definable, slim waist? If not, and your dog looks pudgy around the middle, he is most likely overweight. Extra tissue and flabby tissue can push the upper airways closed. Consider using a diet dog food, feeding her less and frequent exercises like jogging or the dog park.
- A Large Neck: If your dog has a large neck (in relation to its head), like a pug or a pit bull, the dog’s airway may be at risk. Similarly, in humans, a woman with a neck larger than 15″ in circumference (or a man with a 17″ or larger neck) may be associated with snoring.
- Sinus Congestion: Does your dog have any kind of cold, allergies or nasal discharge? When the nasal passage is blocked and breathing takes place through the mouth, positive air pressure decreases in the throat, causing the airway to collapse, causing snoring.
- Pain Medication or Tranquilizers: Just as taking muscle relaxants can cause snoring in humans, pain reduction medication will relax your dog’s muscles to the point that they can cause the airway to collapse, causing snoring.
- Having a Flat Face: That cuteness comes with a price. Breeds like Pekinese, Pugs and Boston Terriers often have more nasal infections and easier blocked airways than longer nosed breeds. Consequentially, they almost always snore.
- Smokers: Fictitious dogs love playing poker, but in reality, dogs do not smoke. Humans do. Inflammatory reactions can be caused by smoke irritation, when tissue becomes swollen, blocking the airway which causes snoring. Place his kennel in a clean-air space, and don’t smoke near him.
Posted by drgracesun on December 8, 2010 under Beautiful Smile, Cosmetic Dentistry, Technology |
When you think of fine art and priceless paintings, Leonardo da Vinci no doubt comes to mind. It may be a surprise to learn, however, that the same technique Leonardo used to create lifelike works of art is the same technique a master dentist professional uses for reproducing a beautiful “Mona Lisa Smile.” Leonardo’s layering technique used to achieve the Mona Lisa’s alluring, dreamlike quality is identical to the method that a true artistic ceramist will utilize to create lifelike dental restorations.
The cabalistically alluring smile of lady Mona Lisa remains a mystery, but French scientists say they have cracked a few secrets of the famous painting. Researchers at The Louvre have studied seven of the museum’s Leonardo da Vinci paintings, including the Mona Lisa, to analyze the master’s use of successive ultrathin layers of paint and glaze – a technique that gave his works their soft and sensual quality.
Specialists from the Center for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France found that da Vinci painted up to 30 layers of paint and glaze on his works to achieve astonishingly high levels of subtlety. Added up, all the layers are less than 40 micrometers, or about half the thickness of a human hair, researcher Philippe Walter said Friday. The technique is called “sfumato,” and it allowed da Vinci to give outlines and contours a hazy quality (creating an illusion of depth and shadow). The technique’s use is well-known, but scientific study on it has been limited because, until the advent of advanced laser technology, tests required actual samples from the paintings.
Just as Leonardo da Vinci used the sfumato technique to intricately layer paint and glaze (creating beautiful works of art), a master artist uses similar techniques of layering porcelain powder to create realistic dental restorations. Dr. Sun chooses from approximately 30 different shades of porcelain powder, which are layered to create the illusion of a natural tooth. The result is an extremely high quality restoration, indistinguishable from an organically created tooth. It is important to note that the vast majority of porcelain technicians use only a few rudimentary shades of porcelain powder, resulting in a mediocre restoration which may look slightly artificial.
When searching for a cosmetic dentist, look for samples of his or her team’s work! Cosmetic dentists rely on an integrated team of clinical and laboratory experts to assist in creating lifelike porcelain restorations. Realistic shade and color should be present, not one solid shade of white. If possible, see how the restoration illuminates (how the tooth looks in natural sunlight) – is there a shift, like a natural tooth? Find a master artist who can provide you with the smile of your dreams. If you need a resource to find a cosmetic dentist in your area, the American Academy for Cosmetic Dentistry provides a search tool to find accredited AACD cosmetic dentists in your area.
