Posts for tag: sedation dentist
Question: What is laughing gas(nitrous oxide) and how it is used for dental
anxiety?
Answer: Nitrous Oxide is a sweet smelling gas administered through a inhaler mask that is placed over a patient's nose. The patient simply breathes in the laughing gas and almost immediately(within 2-4 minutes) experiences a relaxed state. Nitrous oxide is administered to patients requiring relatively short dental procedures and for those with mild anxiety. Recovery time for patients receiving nitrous oxide is very brief, as the effects subside within minutes, allowing patients to drive themselves home if necessary. This is the only form of sedation that the patient can drive to and from their dental appointment. Nitrous oxide works very well with children and does well with adults but less predictable.
Question: Does everyone fear going to the dentist?
What percent of patients do you see have anxiety or fear going to the dentist?
Answer: Approximately 10 million Americans avoid going to dentist due to fear and anxiety. I would say 40-50% of my patients have had or do have some fear of the dentist. This fear usually stems from a bad experience or not understanding what is going on. By simply educating the patient, much fear is eliminated when the patient knows exactly what the problem is, how to fix it, and what it takes to fix it. I take pride in most of the services I offer but the one I take the most pride in is the one you don't see listed--helping you CONQUER your fear of dentistry. I am confident I can help you not only conquer your anxiety but help you establish a routine of regular dental care that prevents you from needing frequent amounts of dental work and be proud of your oral health and smile!
I have a strange dent in one of my front teeth...it's small, but noticeable. I pointed it out to my dentist and he asked if I used a hard bristle brush, which I don't. Otherwise he didn't seem too concerned about it, which I find odd. Since this is a front tooth I'm particularly concerned about it. Can you help?
Your dentist is probably right. "Dents" or missing enamel around the gumline can be caused by different things. Please visit my website to read about abrasion, erosion and abfraction as these are all phenonenoms that can contribute to this. Your dentist wasn't concerned because it is a very common finding and unless you are having symptoms (cold, touch, sweet sensitivity), he probably treatment was not necessary.
What he was eluding to is that if you brush too hard or use a hard bristle brush, you can physically wear away the enamel off the tooth down by the gumline. I call this "toothbrush abrasion" and I see it on 4 out of every 5 patients. Brushing too hard can setup these areas for sensitivity and increased the chances of cavities.
Talk with your dentist as they might be able to put a filling on the area to make the surface smoother and prevent sensitivity!
Dr.G
What is a crown?
A crown is a restoration that I prescribe to fix badly broken teeth or a tooth that has been root canal treated. A crown is cemented over top of the tooth after it has been prepared. Badly broken teeth can result from large cavities, root canal treatment and trauma as well. Sometimes crowns are placed on teeth that are cosmetically unacceptable by the patient. By doing a crown, I can alter the shape, contour, color and bite of the original tooth so that patients are happy with its function as well as its appearance.
Crowns also sometimes require additional procedures based on the existing condition of the tooth such as a root canal, crown lengthening surgery, and teeth buildups. Please consult me if you have any questions about crowns or bridges. Crowns can be made of gold, porcelain, or metal/porcelain which is called a porcelain fused to metal crown(PFM). The decision on the material is based on the position of the tooth, the demand for esthetics, and what type of chewing forces the crown would be subjected to. Ask your dentist about the benefits of crowns and well as what is most suitable for your situation!
