Baxter Dental Care
Jeffrey Baxter D.D.S. & Linda Albright D.D.S.
513-932-5856
777 Columbus Ave. #2, Lebanon, OH 45036
Mouthguards
Athletic Mouthguards
An athletic mouthguard is worn to protect your teeth during sports activities. Your dentist can make a custom mouthguard to fit your teeth precisely from a mold made by taking an impression of your teeth. A sports mouthguard is usually worn on the upper teeth for greater protection and is made of a soft vinyl material. A custom mouthguard made by your dentist offers more protection against injury than a stock guard that can be purchased off the shelf in some sporting goods stores.
Occlusal Nightguards
An occlusal nightguard is an appliance that is worn at night to help protect your teeth from wear that may occur if you grind or brux your teeth while asleep. This appliance is usually made of a combination of a hard outer shell and an inner softer layer that helps protect and cushion the teeth during night time grinding. The outer hard layer has the strength to stand up to wear from the opposing teeth. This appliance must be made from a model of your teeth from an impression that your dentist makes. A bite relationship is taken when the impression is made and sent to the lab so that your appliance will be made with a comfortable bite for a good night's sleep.
Snore/Sleep Appliances
Worn only during sleep, an oral appliance fits like a sports mouth guard or an orthodontic retainer. It supports the jaw in a forward position to help maintain an open upper airway. Research shows that oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
TMJ/TMD Appliances
A TMJ appliance is made to be worn on the upper or lower arch to help relax the jaw so that muscles and the joints of the Temporo-mandibular joint can heal. Patients that would benefit from this appliance usually have experienced muscle or joint pain or tenderness. The appliance is made from a custom impression of your teeth and a bite is taken to position the lower jaw in a slightly forward position. This position will help relieve stress in the jaw joints which are situated slightly in front of your ears. As your jaw relaxes and heals, the appliance can be adapted to accommodate for a new more comfortable bite.
Restore Bite Appliances
A Bite appliance used to restore a collapsed or worn bite is made by your dentist from a hardened plastic or tooth colored material using a custom impression. It can be used to provide additional height for worn teeth to position the jaw in its proper position and help align the bite. It is important to have your bite restored prior to having large, complex restorations constructed so that you will have the most comfort, better esthetics, and longer lasting restorations.
Essix/Ortho Retainers
Essix Orthodontic retainers are made of a thin plastic material that is rigid enough to to keep your teeth from relapsing into their old crowded position. A mold of your teeth is made when your orthodontic brackets are removed at the completion of your orthodontic treatment. It is important to wear your retainers as specified by your dentist or orthodontist during your first weeks after braces are removed. Most dentists advise that retainers be worn for many years to be certain that your teeth remain straight. The dentist often stores a digital model of your teeth that can be used to make new retainers in case yours are lost or damaged.