At Cerritos Dental Surgery, we provide or services to the lovely community of Cerritos. We like to take time in our blog to remind our patients and our readers about all the wonderful and exciting things happening in the community. In addition, we want to remind you that we’re available for your oral surgery needs, from replacing missing teeth with dental implants to removing impacted wisdom teeth.
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 sedation, however, you have several options; oral medication, nitrous oxide (also known as ‘laughing gas’), IV sedation, and even general anesthesia. Each method of sedation is different, just like each patient – depending on your severity of anxiety, your dentist will recommend the sedation that will best optimize your comfort level. (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 apnea (and vice versa). In fact, there are people who don’t snore but still suffer from sleep disorders. But, when your snoring is affecting the sleep of those around you – there may be an underlying sleep problem. How can you find out? (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 putting their overall health at risk for other complications. How do you know if you have sleep apnea? Well, they always say knowledge is power, right? Knowing the risk factors and signs to look for is the first step to discovering the reason behind your lack of sleep. (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 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – to help you with any dental emergency you may have. But, what constitutes a dental emergency? How do you know how to handle an emergency situation like this? Don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! (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 on. So, if you have questions about dental implants, you’ve come to the right place! From placing an implant to caring for it afterwards – it’s all right here. If you still have questions after reading this blog, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist, Dr. Hofkes. (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 in less time and in significantly more comfort. Depending on your medical history, your specific needs and preferences, and your dentist’s recommendation, you might benefit from an appropriate dental sedation option, as well. (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 because they generally erupt in our late teens and early twenties – previously known as ‘the age of wisdom.’ So we are certainly wiser by the time our third molars come in, they just don’t indicate (or bring) any wisdom – that comes with age. (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 a lot of misinformation being spread as well. Unfortunately, there are quite a few myths out there that you may have heard – don’t let that keep you from getting the dental care you need. So let’s clear some of those up! (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 your health. Deciding whether you need oral surgery or not depends on your individual situation, there are certain conditions that may require surgery (such as; cancer, wisdom teeth, and severe forms of dental conditions like malocclusion, gum disease, TMD, etc.). So, if you’re wondering, “do I need oral surgery?” It’s definitely time for a visit to your dentist. (more…)
