Dentists usually recommend IV sedation – anti-anxiety medication delivered intravenously via a small needle – for patients undergoing dental implant placement, wisdom tooth removal, or other oral surgery procedures. However, IV sedation also helps patients with profound dental fear and anxiety, a very sensitive gag reflex, or physical/neurological impairment relax during all types of dental treatment. If your dentist has recommended IV sedation, our handy guide will help you know what to expect from your procedure. (more…)
A Brief History of Nitrous Oxide
Those few moments just before a dental procedure can be a little tense, even for people who normally wouldn’t identify themselves as “afraid of the dentist.” Your dentist can take the edge off of that anxiety with nitrous oxide, a safe, reliable method that’s helped dental patients relax since the 19th century. Today, we’re taking a peek at the surprising history of nitrous oxide and exploring what the average patient can expect from this form of dental sedation. (more…)
Does Sedation Dentistry Put You to Sleep?
Toward the end of the 20th century, the trend in dentistry shifted toward a more patient-focused approach to treatment. As a result, dentists refined their chairside manner, dental offices began boasting ergonomic exam chairs and gourmet coffee, and more practices began offering a variety of dental sedation options. Sedation dentistry reaches out to people who are afraid of the dentist, those who have a sensitive gag reflex, and people with neurological or physical impairments, allowing them to receive much needed dental care. Today, we’re discussing the commonly held misconception that dental sedation puts you to sleep. (more…)
Two Diseases Your Dentist Might Notice First
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 90% of all pathologies have symptoms that show in the oral cavity. Whether it’s gum inflammation, dry mouth, or bone loss, your dentist has a privileged view of your overall health via the “window” of your mouth. Today, we’re taking a look at two diseases with initial symptoms that could show up during a routine checkup. (more…)
Diet or Hygiene: Which is More Important for Oral Health?
When it comes to a vibrantly healthy smile, which is more important: diet or hygiene habits? Can a healthy diet make up for skipping the floss? Can good brushing practices make up for a sugar-laden diet? Today, we’re taking a closer look at how diet and dental care affect oral health and whether one is better at promoting a healthy smile than the other. (more…)
How Do We Love Crowns? Let Us Count the Ways.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, our thoughts turn to romance. But while the search for love can often lead to disappointment and heartbreak, finding the dental restoration of your dreams is as easy as talking to your dentist about ceramic crowns. Seem like a stretch? In today’s blog, we’re discussing how dental crowns are like (and, in some cases, better than) your romantic partner. (more…)
Three Restorations that Toe the Cosmetic Line
For most of human history, esthetics took a backseat to functionality when it came to dental restorations. From the earliest beeswax fillings to the gold and platinum metal crowns still used today, dental restorations looked like, well, dental restorations. Today’s patients prefer a more natural esthetic and the industry has responded by developing different types of dental ceramic that boast exceptional strength and good looks. Today, we’re shining a light on three restorative techniques that cross over into cosmetic territory. (more…)
Gum Disease Step-By-Step
We get it. When compared to life-threatening illnesses, gum disease just doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. Perhaps it’s the fact that gum disease doesn’t have any painful or gruesome symptoms until it reaches a later stage. Maybe it’s that we don’t rank our gums high on the list of “very important body parts.” However, over half of the American population has gum disease and in addition to holding the top-spot for causes of adult tooth loss, gum disease has been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and respiratory illness. Today, we’re taking a brief tour of how gum disease progresses and touching on some common treatment options. (more…)
Three Groups of People Who Benefit from Sedation Dentistry
Have you ever wondered who goes in for sedation dentistry? This practice, sometimes inaccurately referred to as sleep dentistry, has helped dentists manage their patients’ discomfort during a procedure since nitrous oxide was first introduced in the mid-1800s. Since that time, the field has expanded to include oral conscious (pill) sedation and intravenous (IV) sedation techniques. Today, we’re taking a closer look at three groups of people who benefit greatly from dental sedation. (more…)
Look, Feel, Checkup: Identifying the Signs of Oral Cancer
Ideally, we should all perform an oral cancer self-check every few months. Like breast and testicular self-checks, and oral cancer self-check consists of a careful visual and manual (touch-based) scan of your head, neck, and the inside of your mouth. Your chances of surviving oral cancer in the long term depend on early detection, and early detection depends on self-awareness and regular preventive dental care appointments. Follow a Look, Feel, and Checkup protocol to stay on top of your oral health. (more…)
