The term sleep disordered breathing or SDB relates to a group of conditions that cause abnormal respiratory patterns during sleep, inhibiting healthy ventilation. The most common SDP is obstructive sleep apnea. OSA affects the sleep and lives of more than 18 million American adults and children can suffer from it, too. As a dentist serving the 92629 area, Dr. Mark Cruz has helped hundreds of patients enjoy the benefits of restorative sleep. If you are an OSA sufferer, you replicate a defined cycle many times throughout the night. As your face, neck, and jaw muscles relax into sleep, soft tissues … Read Full Article
California is known for its gold – glowing sunsets, golden coastlines, sparking chardonnays, and the famous gold rush of 1849. Patients of Dr. Mark A. Cruz, DDS know about another priceless golden benefit – oral health. Dr. Cruz takes a unique approach to dentistry, one that centers on the needs of each patient. A focus on prevention, early detection of dental problems, and the most conservative and longest-lasting restoration methods available keeps his patients looking great and feeling their best. He is one of only a few dentists in the Orange County area who provides the value of gold restorations … Read Full Article
Dr. Mark Cruz is a respected dentist near the 92692 area who treats patients struggling with getting a good night’s sleep. Their first step toward improved sleep is to evaluate if they wake up feeling refreshed. If they do not feel refreshed after sleeping, they may suffer from a sleep disordered breathing condition such as upper airway resistance syndrome or obstructive sleep apnea. Often, they are unaware there may be an issue until a bed partner brings a symptom such as snoring to their attention. Dr. Cruz not only treats patients with concerns about sleep, but he leads in a … Read Full Article
As a dentist who is committed to improving the quality of patients’ lives in and near Mission Viejo, Dr. Mark Cruz takes dentistry a step further. In addition to diagnosing and treating conditions and diseases that affect the mouth, teeth, and gums, he can identify the risk factors for sleep disordered breathing conditions including: Snoring – One of the first signs a patient may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea is snoring, which is breathing noisily during sleep due to the vibrations of unsupported tissues in the airway. Causes of snoring include obstructed nasal airways and poor muscle tone in the … Read Full Article
How is the quality of your sleep? Your first response may be, “I sleep fine.” Now, consider your answer to this question: When is the last time you woke up feeling refreshed? For many patients, the second question may cause them to pause and respond, “I cannot remember, but I think it has been years.” If you can relate, it may be time to schedule an appointment with a dentist who has extensive training in the screening and management of sleep-disordered breathing. Dr. Mark Cruz treats patients in and near Dana Point who want to achieve better sleep. Dr. Cruz … Read Full Article
If you are looking for a dental practice that offers advanced technology and progressive dentistry in the South Orange County area, you may wish to consider several factors such as: Does the practice emphasize patient centered care?Is a comprehensive array of advanced dental care available?What are the qualifications of the dentist?What do patients say about their experiences? At Mark A. Cruz, DDS, we believe that patient-centered care improves clinical outcomes and optimizes lifelong oral and systemic health. Patient-centered care involves several key factors, such as: Total person careEnhanced communication and collaborationPatient education and engagementEase of accessPersonalized care and patient involvement … Read Full Article
You probably wouldn’t consider purchasing a new car without pouring over images of it on your computer to see if it looks appealing and taking it for a drive to test functionality. Doesn’t an investment in your smile deserve the same level of evaluation? Dr. Mark Cruz gives patients in the Dana Point area the chance to see how dental work will look and function, with a diagnostic wax-up technique. What is a wax-up? A wax-up is a means of visualizing the outcome of a dental restoration procedure. It is also an invaluable diagnostic tool for the dentist to meticulously … Read Full Article
What is gum disease? Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an unfortunately common problem, especially among mature adults. It is considered a chronic inflammatory condition, induced by a bacterial infection. It invades the gingival tissue, causing it to separate from the tooth root surface, creating pockets. If the disease progresses these pockets deepen and the bone tissue is eventually effected. The erosion of bone around the teeth causes them to become loose and, without treatment, eventually fall out. How it impacts your life Gum disease has long been known to cause bone deterioration and the loss of natural teeth. … Read Full Article
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects millions. In fact, many people do not even know that they suffer from it. This sleep disorder causes individuals to actually stop breathing for a moment, many times during their sleep. While it may be hard for the sufferer to detect, a sleep study makes it easy for a doctor to diagnose. The two main types of sleep apnea are obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive Sleep Apnea, coined OSA, is the most common type. This sleep disorder is caused by an obstruction in the airway – when the … Read Full Article
All of your natural teeth are at risk for developing dental caries, otherwise known as cavities or tooth decay. Because of the very nature of our teeth, acids and bacteria can eat away at the enamel, damaging them from the outside. Tooth decay can lead to a number of issues including periodontal disease, a serious condition that results in the loss of jawbone and teeth and can actually affect the health of your entire body. It is simply not a risk worth taking. That’s why many people consider dental sealants to protect and preserve their teeth. Dental sealants are typically … Read Full Article
