Play it safe this spring, from Dischinger Team Orthodontics

Did you know that April is National Facial Protection Month? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of the 7 million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by people between ages 5 and 24. At Dischinger Team Orthodontics, we want our patients to stay safe this spring. Wearing a mouth guard is one of the easiest and least expensive forms of facial protection and helps prevent potential lifelong jaw and mouth problems!

This year, the American Association of Orthodontists has teamed up with sports legend Emmitt Smith to remind athletes with and without braces that mouth guards and other forms of facial protection help avoid serious injuries. To learn more and to see pictures of the football great showcasing his smile, visit the AAO’s Sports Safety Page or contact any Dischinger Team staff member if you have any questions.

Sleep disorders and treatment options in Lake Oswego and Portland

Drs. Terry and Bill Dischinger know sleep disorders are fairly common, with around 50 to 70 million Americans being affected by some type chronic sleep disorder, with some of these progressing to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can cause loss of sleep and other health issues. Snoring is one of the most easily identified symptoms, and as it worsens can lead to full airway blockage while you sleep, which can severely disrupt your sleep patterns.

Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical problem that, if left untreated, can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure and stroke. It can also take a toll on your energy level, as the condition causes an ongoing state of fatigue.

There are several different approaches to sleep apnea treatment, including:

• Surgery to the jaws or airway tissue to open the airway. This is typically only used in the most severe cases.
• Continuous airway pressure therapy which involves a mask and machine (CPAP machine) to keep your throat muscles and tissue open while sleeping
• Oral appliance therapy, a less intrusive method involving a customized oral device that positions your jaw in a favorable position to keep your airway open while you sleep.

If you suspect that you may suffer from a sleep disorder or sleep apnea, please give us a call at 971-925-6012, and we can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist. The specialist may recommend a "sleep study" to diagnose the precise extent of the problem, and can prescribe appropriate treatment. Depending on your situation, treatment may involve an oral device that Drs. Dischinger can custom-create for you.

Talking mouth guards with Drs. Terry and Bill Dischinger

Spring may be a time for sports, sun and fun, but it's also a time when you have to be careful if you play sports. At Dischinger Team Orthodontics, we know how important it is to protect your face and pearly whites while participating in sports activities. With spring around the corner, Drs. Bill and Terry Dischinger know the spring months bring an increase in outdoor activities—and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. Our dedicated team at Family Orthodontics also know sports-related injuries are common among children. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get injured while playing sports.

That’s why our team is doing its part to spread the word that facial sports injuries can be avoided simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. If you play sports, it's important that you consult us for special precautions. A protective mouth guard is advised for playing contact sports. In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are your discomfort as you would treat any general soreness.

And, ask us—Drs. Dischinger will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment. The AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe on the field this spring. Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Drs. Bill and Terry Dischinger are trying to achieve. Lastly, please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Dischinger Team Orthodontics.

The advantage of Invisalign® at Dischinger Team Orthodontics

Part of what makes Invisalign really "work" is that the treatment is customizable for pretty much anyone. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing Drs. Bill and Terry Dischinger do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next, our doctors use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. The best thing about it all? Nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Drs. Terry and Bill Dischinger are both certified Invisalign providers. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment at Dischinger Team Orthodontics, please give us a call.

Happy Monday!

Ask Drs. Bill & Terry Dischinger: Why is it so important to have straight teeth?

People wonder why the Dischinger Team works tirelessly to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime!

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque—the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean! Located in Lake Oswego and serving the greater Portland metropolitan area, the team at Dischinger Orthodontics are focused on providing gentle, effective and family-friendly orthodontic care for patients of all ages.

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Drs. Bill & Terry Dischinger can help you decide whether or not you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.