Month: April 2016

Nitrous Oxide Vs. IV Sedation

If you’re afraid to visit your dentist, you’re not alone. Dental anxiety and fear is fairly common, but that’s why we have sedation dentistry! Using sedation, your dentist can calm your nerves and make for a very comfortable appointment – whether it be a cleaning, checkup, or even something more extensive. When it comes to… Read more »

Could Your Snoring Indicate A Sleep Disorder?

Sleep disorders are one of the most difficult medical conditions to diagnose given the nature of their symptoms, but you probably already knew that. What you probably don’t know, however, is that snoring can actually indicate a sleep disorder: sleep apnea. Before you start worrying, that doesn’t mean that everyone who snores has a sleep… Read more »

Do You Have Sleep Apnea?

If you find that you’re waking after a ‘full’ night’s rest feeling exhausted, you’re probably not getting as much sleep as you think. Unfortunately, sleep disorders are often difficult to diagnose because of the nature of their symptoms (they occur while you’re unconscious). Because of this, many sufferers go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and end up… Read more »

How To Handle A Dental Emergency

You probably already know that emergencies don’t occur at convenient times – but handling a dental emergency in the moment can certainly be stressful. Whether it’s an injury, dislodged tooth, or a severe infection – your teeth are an incredibly important part of your body and should be treated as such. That’s why Dr. Hofkes is… Read more »

Do You Have Questions About Dental Implants?

If you’re missing a tooth – or multiple teeth – your dentist may recommend placing a dental implant. Your first instinct may be to start firing questions about cost, procedure, and what to expect overall. While your dentist is always happy to answer your questions and concerns, many times patients forget these questions until later… Read more »

When is Dental Sedation Appropriate?

Usually, dental treatment is minimally-invasive enough that sedation is not generally necessary. But for patients with high levels of anxiety, or who experience various degrees of dental fear, sedation may be a necessity for nearly every dental treatment. Aside from anxiety, however, dental sedation can also help patients complete necessary restorative and other dental treatments… Read more »

Why Are Third Molars Called ‘Wisdom’ Teeth?

Originally, third molars were referred to as ‘teeth of wisdom’ but ever since the 19th century, we’ve been calling them ‘wisdom’ teeth – why? Contrary to what it may seem, these teeth actually have nothing to do with the amount of wisdom you may or may not have. In fact, third molars coined this term… Read more »

3 Myths Debunked About Dental Implants

Dental implants offer a complete tooth restoration, unlike some other replacement options for lost teeth. Whether you’ve lost a tooth already or are facing an extraction, losing your adult teeth can cause many unexpected difficulties and complications. While dental implants have become increasingly popular for their incredible ability to restore functionality and esthetic appeal, there’s… Read more »

When Do You Need Oral Surgery?

Oral surgery may be more common than you think – it’s certainly a lot less scary than you’re probably imagining. If your dentist refers you to an oral surgeon, like Dr. Hofkes, don’t be alarmed. From placing dental implants, removing tumors, to grafting bone and gum tissue – oral surgery is only used to better… Read more »

3 Reasons To Call Your Emergency Dentist

Unfortunately, dental emergencies can happen to anyone and they’re not only restricted to occur during convenient hours. If you’ve ever felt tooth pain after your dentist’s office closes, you probably understand. That’s why there are dentists – like Dr. Hofkes at Cerritos Dental Surgery – who are there for you 24 hours of the day… Read more »