Ask Dr. Kitzmiller: Is Invisalign® really customized for each patient?

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work, says Dr. Kitzmiller. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we 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 we 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!

Dr. Kitzmiller is a certified Invisalign provider. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, please give us a call.

Take Our Sleep Apnea Quiz

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! We wanted to share with you this Sleep Apnea quiz on our web site. If you haven't already, answer each of these questions and give us a call if you have any questions!

If you think you or someone you know may suffer from sleep apnea, answer the following four screening questions and take the Epworth Sleepiness Test. If you answer yes to 2 or more of these screening questions and score a 10 or greater on the Epworth, please call our office and talk to a member of our Dental Sleep Medicine Team regarding your score and a plan for your proper diagnosis and treatment options.

* Do you snore on most nights?
* Has anyone reported that you stop breathing or gasp in your sleep?
* Is your neck size large (men 17 inches/women 16 inches or greater)
* Have you had, or are you currently being treated for high blood pressure?

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale

How likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in the following situations? Rate on a scale of 0 being no chance of dozing, and 3 being a high chance of dozing, then add up your total.

1. Sitting and reading
2. Watching TV
3. Sitting inactive in a public place (e.g. a theater or a meeting)
4. As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break
5. Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit
6. Sitting and talking to someone
7. Sitting quietly after a lunch without alcohol
8. In a car while stopped for a few minutes in traffic

Call Dr. Kitzmiller today to discuss your symptoms and the steps involved in the accurate identification, diagnosis, and treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Our Milford dental office services the Milford/Loveland and Greater Cincinnati area with personalized care for healthy living.

Hope this helps!

Cincinnati Cosmetic Dentist Timothy Kitzmiller Providing an Out of This World Dental Experience

We are a preventative, cosmetic, and restorative dental practice located in Milford, OH. We also focus on dental sleep medicine and sleep apnea treatment, for which Dr. Kitzmiller has extensive training and experience. Call to schedule an appointment at our modern office, and see how Dr. Kitzmiller keeps Milford smiling!

You can also visit our web site for more information about our practice, and the treatments we offer

March is National Nutrition Month!

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Nutrition Month. Every March, Dr. Kitzmiller and thousands of dentists and hygienists celebrate National Nutrition Month. This March, Dr. Kitzmiller and our team want you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health.
Small changes really can make a big difference, and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has some advice on ways to start improving your diet this March:

• Focus on fruits and vegetables: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Think fresh, think local: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods in your area.

• Make every calorie count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.
• It’s tempting, but…: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

• Expand your horizons: Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new healthy favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please give us a call!

Sleep Disorders and Treatment Options in Cincinnati

Sleep disorders are fairly common, with around 50 to 70 million Americans being affected by some type chronic sleep disorder, and some of these progressing to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can cause loss of sleep among many other health problems. Snoring is one of the most easily identified symptoms, and as it worsens it 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 overall energy level, as sleep apnea 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, give us a call at 513-334-0217. Depending on your situation, treatment may involve an oral device that we can custom-create for you.

--Dr. Timothy J. Kitzmiller, DDS

Did you know February is Heart Month? From Dr. Kitzmiller

February is Heart Month, and it's a great time to take notice of your heart's health, Dr. Kitzmiller says. Cardiovascular disease remains American's number one killer, according to the American Heart Association. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Visiting our office regularly can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. And because people with dental insurance are more likely to visit their dentist when they should, a healthy mouth begins with a visit to Timothy J. Kitzmiller DDS. In observance of Heart Month, Dr. Kitzmiller says it’s also important to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25). If you have any questions about heart health, or about your treatment with Dr. Kitzmiller, please give us a call today.

Timothy J. Kitzmiller DDS, keeping you safe during the snow storm

With more snow showers expected in our region during the next couple days, Dr. Kitzmiller and our team thought it would be a good time to remind you, our valued patients, to be safe when you're out and about. Here are a few helpful tips to get through the snow storm.

*Winterize your vehicle
*Drive, accelerate, and brake slowly
*Pack an emergency road kit and learn common emergency signs
*Make sure you install tire chains
*Learn how to fix a flat tire and jump start a car
*Stay safe!

If you don't feel safe going out, you can always reschedule your appointment. At Timothy J. Kitzmiller DDS, our patients' well-being is our primary concern, and that includes keeping you safe during this storm! If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call!