General & Preventive Dentistry

Your General & Preventive Dentistry Choice

For Healthy Charlotte Smiles

Keeping your family healthy and safe is one of life’s biggest priorities. We understand. That’s why your Charlotte dentist, Dr. Steven Yang, has designed all general and preventive dentistry services to conveniently and comprehensively meet your needs — in your neighborhood. Our gentle dentistry is perfect for patients of all ages to protect their precious smiles. Even children like their visits with us because we make every experience gentle and fun.

No matter what member of the family is in need of dental care, we will always ensure our hours cater to your busy work and school schedules.

The Importance of Preventive Dentistry

Dentistry is an important part of maintaining health – both oral and physical. Regular checkups and cleanings let us keep an eye on your teeth and gums for decay or infection, check for oral cancer and other soft-tissue problems, and ensure that your smile is clean and free of bacterial buildup. The American Dental Association recommends hygiene visits every six months, but because we customize treatment at Capstone Dental, we will create the perfect hygiene schedule just for you.

The Dedication to Oral and Overall Health

The truth is, when you commit to your oral health you are also investing in your overall health. Oral health issues such as gum disease have been proven to have serious and lasting effects on your body and can even lead to such health disasters as strokes, heart attacks, and cancer. And even when it doesn’t cause these severe issues, it can compromise your system.

Protecting your whole body is just one of the ways Capstone Dental works to promote great oral health.

Discover the connection between your teeth, gums, and your overall health! Call us today.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Charlotte, NC

Get Back to a Good Night’s Rest with Customized Treatment

woman sleepingDo you or a loved one suffer from snoring, gasping, or choking during sleep? These may be signs of sleep apnea, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While it may seem like a nuisance, sleep apnea can have consequences for your health and even your life. 

Discover the warning signs of sleep apnea and how to treat them at Capstone Dental. Dr. Stephen Yang offers customized sleep apnea treatment to patients in Mint Hill, Mount Holly, and Concord. Discover more with our skilled Charlotte, NC, dentist.

 

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. It occurs when your throat muscles relax, blocking your airway and causing your brain to briefly wake you up to resume breathing. These pauses in breathing can occur up to hundreds of times a night, leaving you exhausted during the day.

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to a host of health problems, including:

  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Depression
  • Memory problems

Additionally, untreated sleep apnea can increase your risk of accidents, such as falls and car crashes, due to daytime sleepiness.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Here are some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea:

  • Loud and Frequent Snoring: Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, especially if it’s loud and occurs regularly.
  • Pauses in Breathing: If you experience pauses in breathing during sleep, or if someone has witnessed you gasping for air during sleep, it may be a sign of sleep apnea.
  • Daytime Sleepiness: Because sleep apnea can disrupt sleep, you may feel excessively sleepy during the day.
  • Morning Headaches: If you wake up with a headache or a feeling of dryness in your mouth, it may be due to sleep apnea.
  • Difficulty Concentrating: Sleep apnea can lead to poor concentration, memory problems, and difficulty focusing.
  • Irritability and Mood Changes: Poor sleep quality can lead to mood swings, irritability, and anxiety.

Sleep Apnea Treatments

If you’re struggling with your CPAP machine, or you have mild to moderate sleep apnea and want to explore alternative treatment options, several devices can help keep your airway open:

  • TAP (Thornton Adjustable Positioner): This device is worn in the mouth and works by gently moving your lower jaw forward to keep your airway open.
  • Somnodent: Similar to TAP, Somnodent is worn in the mouth and helps to position your jaw in a way that keeps your airway open.
  • TheraSnore – The leading anti-snore mouthguard: This device is custom-made to fit your mouth and works by repositioning your tongue and soft tissues to keep your airway open.
  • Snore Guard: Another custom-made mouthguard, Snore Guard works by moving your jaw forward to prevent your tongue from blocking your airway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sleep apnea can impact your overall health and quality of life. Repeated pauses in breathing during sleep can lead to a lack of oxygen, which can put a strain on the heart and increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. Additionally, poor sleep quality can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

In some cases, sleep apnea can go away on its own if caused by a temporary issue such as a cold or allergies. However, if the underlying cause of sleep apnea is structural such as obesity, narrow airway, or enlarged tonsils, it’s unlikely to go away without treatment.

The main cause of sleep apnea is the relaxation of the muscles in the throat during sleep, which can cause the airway to become blocked or narrowed. Other factors that can contribute to sleep apnea include:

  • Age 
  • Obesity 
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Certain medications
  • Tobacco use

The best sleep apnea treatment will depend on the severity of your condition, your medical history, and your personal preferences. It’s critical to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the best treatment options for your needs. If left untreated, sleep apnea can have serious consequences for your health and quality of life.

Take the First Step Toward Improved Sleep and Health

Sleep apnea can make it hard to live a fulfilling life. Get back to quality sleep with one of the customized sleep apnea solutions at Capstone Dental. To learn more, call our Charlotte, NC, office at 980-202-5696 to schedule an appointment. You can also book a consultation online by filling out our contact form.

Keeping an eye on your smile is one of the most important things we do at Capstone Dental. We achieve this goal through comprehensive examinations. It starts with your first visit exam during which we screen you for oral cancer, periodontal disease, orthodontic concerns, cavities, and tooth damage. Our advanced technology, including intraoral cameras and digital and panographic x-rays, allow us to get the most accurate look at your teeth, roots, and bone structure beyond what meets the eye. Once the exam is complete, we take plenty of time to discuss our findings with you, and if necessary, formulate a plan of action to repair and restore anything necessary.

Oral cancer is one of the most rapidly growing cancers in the US. While things like tobacco and alcohol use certainly contribute to oral cancer risks, anyone can develop cancer of the mouth. Even sun exposure can be a potential contributor. Unfortunately, oral cancer can begin very quietly, without noticeable symptoms — but catching it early is crucial for successful, life-saving treatment. We conduct visual and manual screenings as well as screenings with our advanced technology, which includes:

  • VELscope – a revolutionary handheld device that illuminates any suspicious tissue inside your mouth by exposing it to a special light.  
  • Oral CDX – to painlessly take a small sample of cells from suspicious areas to allow for spot testing.

We believe that our Charlotte neighbors deserve to be free from worry about oral cancer. Trust us as your partner in preventive care.

Not all x-rays are equal. Traditional dental x-rays exposed patients to unnecessary amounts of radiation, took a long time to process, and didn’t always offer the clearest picture of your mouth. That’s why Dr. Yang and Capstone Dental have invested in both digital and panoramic x-rays. Digital x-rays expose you and your family to far less radiation, are instantly viewable in sharp, crisp definition, and can easily be kept in your electronic files for future reference and comparison. Panoramic x-rays also help us get a clearer image of your oral health, by allowing us to see your entire head and neck. The resulting images are perfect to evaluate for dentures and implants, check the position of your wisdom teeth, assess orthodontic needs, and look for other problems such as abscesses, signs of sinus problems, and receding bone levels caused by periodontal disease.

One of the fundamentals of proper dental care, dental hygiene gently removes sticky plaque and hardened tartar, a difficult to remove mineralized layer that holds dangerous bacteria close to your gums. Plaque and tartar are major contributors to gum disease and can’t always be removed at home — even with good brushing and flossing habits. Our caring dental hygienist will gently remove this buildup using either Cavitron magnetostrictive scalers or the Piezo ultrasonic scaler. These devices make any cleaning — even deep cleanings — extra comfortable and effective.

Swollen, bleeding gums are not normal. As we have mentioned before, keeping your gums healthy is a vital part of your overall health. If we do discover some gum infection, otherwise known as periodontal disease, it is important that it be treated as soon as possible. Studies have linked periodontal bacterial infections to overall health issues, and they are also the leading cause of tooth loss. Our periodontal therapy can help gently and effectively treat and even reverse gum disease. We combine deep cleaning with the use of our soft-tissue laser to remove bacterial buildup and diseased gum tissue. Once your teeth and gums are clean, we often recommend the use of Arestin, a topical antibiotic that stays in the pockets of your gums for up to 21 days of continuous healing.

Everything you or your children eat and drink can compromise your tooth enamel, especially if you enjoy sugary or acidic treats. Even healthy drinks like orange juice can damage enamel. That’s why we emphasize the importance of fluoride treatments for both kids and adults. Fluoride helps remineralize your teeth and prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque, bacteria, and sugars in the mouth. In fact, fluoride treatments are so effective, they have been known to reverse early tooth decay. We recommend that kids receive a fluoride treatment at every visit and adults have them as needed.

We think protecting your smile is a big priority — beyond routine dental hygiene and fluoride treatments. Teeth can be damaged even while you are sleeping if you’re prone to clenching and grinding. That’s why we offer a variety of mouthguards for both kids and adults. Sports mouthguards are perfect for active children, protecting teeth and gums and even helping minimize their risk for concussions. Nightguards protect your dental investments from the excess force placed on them by nighttime grinding. Take comfort in knowing a custom-made, comfortable, ultra-protective mouthguard is readily available from your Charlotte dentist.

We cater to anxious patients – with relaxing care and a full range of sedation options. To learn about our dental anesthesia, please go to our Sedation Dentistry page.

Sleep apnea may sound a lot like snoring, but it could be putting your health and even your life at risk. If you or a loved one snores, gasps, or chokes during sleep — or all of those things — come talk to us about how we can help. We can refer you to a sleep center for further testing. If you have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have trouble getting comfortable with your CPAP device, we can help with that too. We offer a range of small and easy-to-wear positioners and guards to help keep your airway open including:

  • TAP – the Thorton Adjustable Positioner
  • Somnodent – an oral device from Somnomed
  • TheraSnore – the leading anti-snore mouthguard
  • Snore Guard – U.S. made and trusted by dentists

Isn’t it time you got a good night’s sleep? Talk to us about our sleep apnea treatments today.

Dental emergencies require care that’s immediate and extra compassionate — especially when a patient is in pain. If your tooth is cracked or broken, if you have lost a restoration, or if a tooth has come loose or been lost, call us right away. We will fit you in, stop your pain, and get your tooth fixed as soon as possible. Your wellbeing is always our biggest priority — especially in the event of an emergency.

Dental technology is important! It helps us understand you to develop a clearer picture of your oral health, treat more effectively, and keep you more comfortable. Two of the devices our patients appreciate the most for their general and preventive dental care is the intraoral camera and the soft-tissue laser. The intraoral camera allows us to take real-time, magnified images of the inside of your mouth right along with Dr. Yang, for a much clearer view than the traditional dental mirror. The soft-tissue laser reduces discomfort and shortens healing time for all kinds of treatments including periodontal therapy, treating lesions and cold sores, and frenectomies.

Stay healthy with preventive general dentistry for your whole family.
Call to schedule your new patient exam today!