Dr. McClendon can transform anyone’s smile into the beautiful, bright smile they have always wanted and deserve. When designing your ideal smile, Dr. McClendon can assure you that your concerns will be included in every step of the process. Using the latest in advanced dental materials, such as enhanced ceramics, resins and whitening systems, we can restore your teeth to their healthy “natural” beauty. Dr. McClendon can provide you with the bright, straight and natural looking smile you have always desired. Click below to see how Dr. McClendon and her team have transformed smiles and changed lives.

Dental implants enable dentists to create healthy, attractive smiles in an innovative way. Implants are used to replace one or more missing teeth. Implants are an excellent alternative to conventional bridges and dentures. In essence, dental implants act and look like natural teeth with the added benefit of preventing additional tooth loss by maintaining bone mass and eliminating the risk of decay.

Periodontal treatment is an investment in your health. Treating periodontal problems will help you achieve a healthy mouth and help prevent tooth loss. In fact, with prompt treatment, proper home care, and regular dental visits, a great majority of patients can keep their teeth for a lifetime.

If periodontal disease is your problem, the treatment can vary widely depending on how far the disease has progressed. It is ideal to catch and treat periodontal disease in the early stages, which is why your hygienist will regularly assess your gum health for signs of periodontal disease.

We are proud to offer the most advanced tooth restorative materials available. These restorations include tooth-colored fillings which are directly bonded to the tooth and porcelain. Unlike amalgam, mercury-free fillings or tooth-colored fillings actually bond to the tooth structure, strengthening the teeth without the need for metal. These restorations beautifully mimic the look of your natural teeth. Dr. McClendon will discuss which material is right for you based on your specific dental needs.

We are pleased to offer our patients comfortable, safe, and effective dentistry with the use of oral conscious sedation. Dr. McClendon has specialized training in pain and fear management allowing her to treat some of the most fearful patients. Our patients who have experienced this safe and comfortable approach love it.

Patients who may benefit from sedation dentistry:

• Are fearful or anxious of being at the dentist
• Are unable to sit still for long periods of time
• Have a hard time getting (and staying) numb from anesthetics
• Have a strong gag reflex

Oral conscious sedation allows Dr. McClendon to provide dental treatment safely and comfortably for patients with dental anxiety.  There are several benefits to using sedation dentistry:

• No memory of undergoing the procedure
• No sense of time
• No sense of smell or sound
• No fear or anxiety during treatment

Zoom! In-Office Whitening System is a revolutionary teeth whitening procedure. In just two hours, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. The convenience of Zoom! compared to days of wearing trays and gradual whitening makes it the perfect choice for busy individuals. Teeth typically become at least six to ten shades whiter, sometimes more. A five-minute fluoride treatment completes the procedure. You’ll be amazed with the results.

Good oral health and overall health are a priority at our office. Dr. McClendon takes a holistic approach to dentistry by promoting proactive care. This includes regular exams, low radiation digital x-rays and gentle and thorough cleaning in our office. It also extends to education about home care and a balanced diet. We want to help you and your family avoid costly and serious dental problems while maintaining excellent overall health and a beautiful smile, for years to come.

Could you be at risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Chances are that you know someone who has a chronic snoring problem, or maybe you have been told that you snore. Maybe you have joked about it with your friends, but snoring is no laughing matter. It can lead to the loss of sleep for you or your bed partner (potentially resulting in health problems for both people), or it may even be the sign of a serious medical condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Snoring

Snoring is the sound of partially obstructed breathing during sleep, and indicates that a portion of the airway is blocked. This partial blockage is caused by the soft tissues of the throat partially collapsing during sleep, and the snoring sound comes from vibrations in the air as it passes through the narrowed airway. Airway obstruction causes the brain to move from deep sleep into lighter sleep, resulting in fragmented and/or interrupted sleep cycles.

The Importance of Sleep

Our bodies need oxygen to survive, and the brain will go to great lengths to ensure that we are getting a good supply of air, even if it means compromising deep sleep. When the airway is partially obstructed during sleep, the brain will automatically disrupt the sleep cycle in order to wake up enough to reopen airways. These attempts to open the airway during lighter sleep can result in clenching or grinding (and subsequent damage to teeth), jaw pain, or other dental issues. In addition, when a person has OSA they may experience daytime drowsiness, decreased ability to concentrate, or bouts of depression. They may even develop other health problems, some of which may be very serious.

Sleep Apnea

An “apnea” occurs when the airway is completely blocked for 10 seconds or more. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) syndrome also includes “hypopneas” which is the reduction of airflow by 30 to 50% in conjunction with a waking up to a lighter level of sleep or a reduction of the oxygen levels in the blood. The classic sign of sleep apnea is snoring with intermittent pauses ending with a gasping sound. Sleep apnea has been proven to be related to high blood pressure, heart disease, increased risk of heart attack, gastric reflux or heartburn, increased risk of stroke, depression, and many others.

Treatment of OSA

Fortunately, OSA can be treated in a number of ways, the most effective being continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). However CPAP machines can be difficult for some patients to tolerate. When someone does not tolerate a CPAP machine, or needs an alternative to the CPAP for travel or other special circumstances, one great alternative is Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT). This involves wearing an oral appliance that is custom fitted to the teeth by a specially trained dentist. The appliance moves the lower jaw forward, preventing the soft tissues from falling back and blocking the airway.

Dr. Grant McClendon of Bellingham Bay Dental is a dentist trained in many different types of oral appliances for sleep apnea. If you suspect that you or someone that you know may be suffering from sleep apnea, call our office and we can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist to determine the extent of your problem and prescribe a customized treatment plan. If it is determined that you could benefit from Oral Appliance Therapy, Dr. McClendon can create a custom-fit oral appliance to fit your specific needs. Effective treatment is an important part of a healthy and happy life for Obstructive Sleep Apnea sufferers, so don’t wait to find out more about this topic and see how we might be able to help you!