This is a patient story that we are really excited about! Our patient, Ron, expressed a desire to improve his smile. A thorough exam and analysis revealed that Ron had some issues with his bite that had to be addressed for his cosmetic treatment to be stable and successful. We made impressions of his teeth and took bite measurements so that we could plan his treatment using an instrument that simulated his chewing motions.

We bonded Rons teeth according to the plan. This allowed him to evaluate his smile and for us to determine the stability of his new bite. After getting Rons approval and noting how well his new bite was working, he said it feels so much better than my old bite, we started his final cosmetic work, which was to place porcelain crowns on his front teeth.

Rons treatment was completed over several years, making it easy on his budget and his schedule. Next, he wants to start working on making his back teeth look better!

Proper analysis and planning are essential in achieving a result like Rons. His case is an example of the type of care that our office provides.

Dr. Stewart and Staff: Im sending this to thank you for the outstanding job that you did on my teeth. Your expertise in dentistry shows in my smile. My teeth are absolutely perfect; strangers approach me and comment on my teeth. You have already been recommended to many people. My crowns look like real teeth only better. Again, to all of you I thank you for your expert care and follow up. Sincerely, Ron

You might not think about Dr. Stewart as an artist, but one look at his smile makeover patients would change that. Dr. Stewart offers general dentistry, childrens dentistry, and even sleep apnea treatment. Many people dont know that hes a talented cosmetic dentist , as well. At Dr. Stewarts Livonia dentist office, you have access to dentist-prescribed teeth whitening , cosmetic bonding , hand crafted porcelain veneers , tooth-colored fillings and crowns , and even full smile makeovers.

When you look in the mirror, whats eating you?

• Stains Ask about teeth whitening, bonding, or veneers.
• Crooked teeth Ask about veneers.
• Chipped teeth Ask about bonding, white crowns, or veneers.
• Gaps and spaces between teeth Ask about bonding or veneers.
• Metal fillings and crowns Ask about tooth-colored fillings and crowns.
• Too-small teeth Ask about veneers and gum reduction.
• Oddly shaped teeth Ask about bonding, crowns, or veneers.
• Missing teeth Ask about bridges or dental implants.

Want to learn more about cosmetic dentistry?

Call Dr. James Stewart at 734-425-4400 to schedule your cosmetic consultation. Located in Livonia, MI, our general dentist office serves families from Farmington Hills, Lovi, Plymouth, Dearborn Heights, and surrounding communities.

Halloween Candy Buy Back

Dr. Stewart and our team are happy to announce that we will host another year of Halloween Candy Buy Back . The week following Halloween, any time our office is open, bring your child up with his or her unopened, leftover Halloween candy. Dr. Stewart will pay $1 per pound (limit 5 lbs.) for the goodies. Your child will leave with a little spending money, and you can have peace of mind that youre doing all you can to thwart overindulgence. Also, your family can feel good about the program because all of the candy collected will be shipped, along with toothbrushes, to US Military serving overseas. Halloween Candy Buy Back supports Operation Gratitude.

Help Your Child Enjoy a Healthy Smile

With Halloween closing in, Moms and Dads thoughts may turn to the dentist as their kids thoughts turn to candy! Its no mystery; kids love sweets, and so do the germs that cause cavities. Parents usually try to be vigilant in getting kiddos to brush after meals and limit their intake of sweets. As a family dentist, Dr. James Stewart offers tips to help parents keep cavities out of childrens mouths, and start kids on a lifestyle that includes good oral habits. (more)

If youre one of the approximately 18 million people that suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you might have already seen a doctor for treatment. OSA occurs when the soft tissues in the back of the throat obstruct breathing to prevent continuous airflow during sleep. Apnea means a cessation of breathing. This interruption in breathing causes the individual to partially awake repeatedly throughout the night, thus disrupting proper sleep cycles. The sufferer awakes feeling unrested.

Left untreated, sleep apnea can give way to other serious health issues , including depression, high blood pressure, irritability, sexual dysfunction, learning or memory problems, and falling asleep at inappropriate or dangerous times. Recent studies show resultant sleep deprivation from sleep apnea can lead to brain damage.

Sleep apnea has captured public awareness in recent years, fortunately, and science has devised effective measures to counteract this serious malady. Perhaps the most common solution for OSA is CPAP [ continuous positive airway pressure .] CPAP devices are typically worn like breathing masks you might see on a patient at a hospital. The CPAP mask utilizes an air hose to direct constant airflow through the nose, preventing collapse of soft tissues so that breathing remains consistent . CPAP devices are very effective when used properly. (more)

The number of Americans who have Alzheimers disease is 5.4 million, and climbing.

Dr. Stewart and our team observe official World Alzheimers Day, September 21 ^st . Its the perfect time to inform our patients on the link between gum disease and Alzheimers. While reserchers have suspected a link for years, scientists at NYU published a study in 2010 that shows how gum inflammation contributes to brain inflammation, neurodegeneration, and Alzheimers disease.

Age and genetics are the primary risk factors for Alzheimers, and you have no control over these. However, you do have some control over your oral health. By exercising preventive measures, such as brushing and flossing properly, and by scheduling dental checkups every six months, you will cut down a risk factor for developing not only tooth loss and gum disease, but other systemic problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimers.

At your next checkup , Dr. Stewart and our staff will examine you for periodontal disease and treat accordingly. Alzheimers disease ranks 6th in leading causes of death in the United States. If gum disease makes the difference in whether or not you develop a fatal illness, your next dental visit could save your life.

Contact Dr. James Stewart, your family dentis t in Livonia, MI, at 734-425-4400 , to schedule your checkup today.

Its that time of year again. With the kids back to school and the weather changing on us, we are now being forced to face the dreaded cold and allergy season. No matter where you are, people are sniffling, sneezing, and coughing.

Did you know that sinuses and your dental health are connected? Your sinus cavities are closely located near the roots of your maxillary, or upper, teeth. Bad oral health can contribute to sinusitis or a sinus infection. Tooth decay and infections of the gums can cause sinus discomfort and add to, and/or lead to, a sinus infection. Or vice versa, a sinus infection can negatively impact your teeth.

Sinus infections can greatly influence the sensation of the teeth. When you are congested, the sinuses cause pressure on surrounding tissues, which causes discomfort and pain in upper teeth . The pain can be felt anywhere from the incisors to the molars. Sometimes, people arent sure whether they have a toothache or sinus congestion. Sinus infections can also cause drainage, which leads to bad breath.

At dental checkups, Dr. Stewart can determine whether your toothache is from a sinus infection or dental problem.

If you are experiencing sinus pressure, or maybe a toothache, contact Dr. James Stewart, your family dentis t in Livonia, MI, at 734-425-4400, to schedule your consultation today.

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and University Hospitals of Cleveland reported that patients reduced arthritic pain and the number of swollen joints after treating their dental problems.

It was exciting to find that if we eliminated the infection and inflammation in the gums, then patients with a severe kind of active rheumatoid arthritis reported improvement on the signs and symptoms of that disease. Stated Dr. Nabil Bissada, chair of the schools Department of Periodontics.

This study was not the first to link gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatologists and other clinicians have studied the how gum disease may lead to systematic disease. Dr. Ali Askari, chair of the department of rheumatology at University Hospitals, states that historically, arthritic patients felt better when teeth were pulled or received antibiotics used to treat periodontal disease.

Askari and Bissada worked together, studying 40 patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease and severe rheumatoid arthritis. These inflammatory diseases share similarities in the progression of the disease over time. In both diseases, inflammation caused by toxins from bacterial infection destroys hard and soft tissue. One common toxin revealed in the study, called, tumor necrosis factor-alpha , can initiate new infections or aggravate sites where inflammation already exists. (more)

Caring for patients with dementia or Alzheimers can prove challenging. Patients often resist care oral health because they feel threatened. Caring for their oral health can be easier thanks to a group of nurses at Penn State School of Nursing. The nurses developed a plan, Managing Oral Hygiene Using Threat Reduction, to assist caregivers in providing oral hygiene to patients with Alzheimers or dementia.

The nurses created the plan to reduce threat perception among these patients. They suggest that caregivers smile while they interact with the patients, approach them at eye level, pantomime, and gently hold the patients hand while brushing teeth.

The number of patients in nursing homes who still have natural teeth is rising, due to proper oral hygiene. By using the threat reduction plan, caregivers can provide oral hygiene assistance in a more effective and friendly manner.

Several studies show a connection between periodontal disease and Alzheimers disease. With proper oral hygiene, brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, rinsing after meals, and visiting the dentist every six months for deep cleaning and checkup, the risk of periodontal disease decreases.

Dr. James Stewart , a Livonia dentist, has experience caring for elderly patients and knows the challenges commonly associated with senior dental health . If you are a caregiver for a patient with Alzheimers or dementia, contact Dr. Stewart at (734)425.4400 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Stewart cares for patients from Livonia, Farmington, Farmington Hills, and surrounding areas.

With proper oral hygiene, teeth can last a lifetime. Today, more than ever before, people are keeing their natural teeth throughout life. When it comes to care and maintenance of teeth, here are some interesting dental health facts to keep in mind:

• 50 percent of people polled state they notice a smile before any other feature .
• 80 percent of men and women feel guilty when they forget to brush their teeth. However over 75 percent of American adults have some level of gum disease.
• Three out of four people admit, they dont change their toothbrushes as often as they should. Toothbrushes should be replaced every six to eight weeks or immediately after an illness.
• While brushing your teeth, maintain a six-foot distance from the commode. Airborne particles from flushing can travel up to six feet.
• The average woman smiles approximately 62 times a day, while a man generally smiles only eight times a day.
• Children laugh 400 times a day, and adults only laugh about 15 times a day.
• Adults lose more than 164 million hours of work annually due to dental visits and oral health problems.
• 44 percent of dental expenses are paid out-of-pocket.
• The most popular color of toothbrush is blue.
• The average toothbrush contains 2,500 bristles.

To maintain teeth for a lifetime, brush twice a day, floss once a day, rinse after meals, and visit your dentist every six months for a thorough cleaning and checkup . Contact Dr. James Stewart at (734)425-4400 to schedule your semi-annual dental visit. Dr. Stewart maintains healthy teeth for residents of Livonia, Farmington, Farmington Hills, and surrounding areas.

Halitosis, or bad breath can occur after eating odorous foods, or because of poor oral hygiene, taking certain medicines, or using tobacco products. However, halitosis also can be a symptom of an underlying health issue, such as periodontal disease, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease, liver or kidney disease, chronic sinusitis, or chronic bronchitis.

Through proper oral healthcare brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, rinsing after meals, and visiting the dentist every six-months for a thorough cleaning and checkup you will decrease your risk for halitosis and periodontal disease. If your bad breath continues, consult Dr. James Stewart first to determine if the halitosis is related to your mouth.

Dr. Stewart will conduct a complete medical and dental history. First, your diet, tobacco use, medications, medical conditions, and family history will be reviewed. He will then examine your mouth, take x-rays, and measure your gums for indications of periodontal disease. If Dr. Stewart determines the halitosis is not of oral origin, you should contact your physician. (more)