Sedation dentistry is an excellent way for many patients who either avoid dental care or are physically unable to receive dental care in a traditional setting to get the dental care they need. Patients suffering from dental anxiety, special needs patients, those who cannot get numb with Novocain, severe gag reflex, and other patients whose have physical or mental challenges that make it difficult or impossible to sit still in the dentist chair.
Sedation dentistry can be a little confusing for dental patients. Sedation dentistry can cover everything from the mildest level of sedation such as nitrous oxide or mild oral sedatives to full unconscious sedation. Sedation levels should be thought of as a continuous sliding scale of sedation rather than distinct levels.
The mildest level of sedation is meant to simply relax the patient and relieve some anxiety. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and mild oral sedatives that most dental practices offer to their patients. Stronger oral sedatives produce a moderate level of sedation.
Intravenous sedation produces a drowsy, very relaxed state with some suppression of pain as well. Intravenous sedation is easier to control than oral sedation by adjusting the amount of sedative. Patients are conscious and can respond to questions though in many cases the patient will doze off during the procedure. Patients usually do not remember having the procedure.
Full unconscious sedation is the safest and most humane alternative for some dental patients. Dental procedures under full unconscious sedation are performed in a specially equipped surgical suite with the assistance of an anesthesiologist.
Most dentists can offer the mildest forms of sedations, but dentists who practice intravenous sedation and full unconscious sedation have received extensive specialized training in sleep and sedation dentistry.
For many years, traditional porcelain veneers have been a popular alternative to transform stained or misaligned teeth into a beautiful, bright white smile. Recent advances in veneer technology has led to the development of prepless or minimal prep veneers that can be an excellent alternative for many patients.
Veneers are wafer thin shells of porcelain or similar material that are bonded to the front of the patient’s teeth to create an aesthetically pleasing smile. Veneers can be a very effective and relatively inexpensive solution for stained, yellowed, and misaligned teeth. The entire process can be completed in a matter of a week or two and typically requires only two or three office visits. Ease of placement and excellent results have made veneers a popular alternative to braces, whitening, caps, and other far more invasive and time consuming procedures.
However, placing traditional veneers requires shaping and preparing the surface of the patient’s teeth. This procedure requires numbing with anesthetic and results in the permanent loss of the tooth enamel. Once the veneers are placed, there is no going back.
Prepless veneers are attractive because they are so thin that they require no surface preparation or, at worst, very minimal surface preparation. Anesthetic is usually not required and the veneers can be removed without damaging the patient’s teeth.
For the right patient, no prep veneers can be an excellent alternative. They may not be the best choice for severely crooked teeth or heavily discolored teeth. Your cosmetic dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and explain your options depending on your particular situation.
When choosing a dental practice, most patients focus on the dentists and the scope of the dental practice. However, for routine dental care such as regular dental cleanings and checkups, most patients will spend the majority of their time with the dental hygienist without fully understanding the important role the dental hygienist plays in maintaining the patient’s oral health.
Dental hygienists are the primary providers of critically important preventative dental care. Most patients understand that the dental hygienists job is to provide dental cleaning (also called prophylaxis). Cleaning teeth and removing plaque, tartar, and stains is a major role filled by dental hygienists, but in addition to cleaning teeth, they take and interpret dental X-rays, provide patient education about oral health issues, apply sealants and fluoride, perform the initial assessment of the patient’s oral health and handle other duties.
Dental hygienists are licensed health care professionals. Most dental hygienists complete at least a two year college level course of study at a university, community college, technical school or dental school. They must also pass a comprehensive written and practical examination before being licensed by the state. Some dental hygienists complete a four or five year college level program.
Except for a few states, a licensed dental hygienist is required to work under the supervision of a dentist. In most general and family dental practices, the dental hygienist is a vitally important part of the dental care team and can be an excellent source of information and advice for keeping your teeth in great shape.
Choosing the right dentist takes a little bit of effort, but the results will be well worth it. You may be inclined to choose the dentist closest to your home or work to minimize the travel time. Convenience is important, but it’s not the only factor to consider.
You should first understand that not all dentists practice all types of dentistry. Some dental practices are more comprehensive than others and some dental offices specialize in a particular type of dentistry such as oral surgery or orthodontics (braces). You should start by looking for a general practice or family practice that can handle your routine dental care needs such as cleanings, fillings, check-ups and other general dental care.
Find out about the scope of the dentist’s practice. Is it a single practitioner or a group of dentists practicing together? If establishing a strong rapport with your dentist and his or her staff including the dental hygienists, dental assistants, and office staff is important to you, a sole practitioner or small dental practice may be a better choice. You will receive more personalized treatment at a smaller practice.
The primary limitation for a smaller dental practice is that the practice may be limited to general dentistry and certain cosmetic procedures. Each office is different so if you anticipate needing a certain type of dental procedure such as orthodontics or dental implants, check to see if the office offers that procedure. If not, find out about their referral practice.
On the other hand, if you prefer a practice that offers a wider variety dental procedures, you may want to consider a larger practice with many dentists who specialize in different areas of dentistry. This type of practice is more likely to offer extended hours and weekend appointments if these are important to you.
Most of us think of the dentist office as a place where we have our teeth cleaned, have cavities filled, and get the occasional root canal and crown for more seriously damaged teeth. Teenagers may also associate the dentist with braces for straightening misaligned teeth and correcting issues with their bite.
However, have you ever thought about your dentist as a provider of increased confidence and self-esteem? If not, you should. Modern dentistry is no longer limited to restorative techniques such as fillings, crowns, and dentures. Cosmetic dentistry procedures are rapidly growing in popularity and for good reason. It is a proven fact that an attractive, healthy smile improves self-confidence and contributes to an improved quality of life.
Most dental practices now offer a wide variety of cosmetic procedures that can help you achieve a bright, beautiful smile. If your teeth are straight but are a little yellowed or dingy, teeth whitening or bleaching can restore your teeth to an aesthetically pleasing bright white color.
Porcelain veneers are an excellent alternative to improve smiles in many ways. Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are permanently bonded to the surface of your teeth. They can hide discolorations, fill small gaps, repair chips, and provide a straight appearance for misaligned teeth.
Other techniques available to create a bright, even, and attractive smile include invisible braces, tooth colored fillings, crowns, implants, and much more. The right techniques and procedures for each patient will differ depending on the needs of the patient. Your cosmetic dentist will go over the alternatives that are available to you and recommend the procedures that best fit your needs and your budget.
A dental emergency can arise at almost any time and while there is never a good time for a dental emergency, they seem to choose the most inconvenient times. Getting help fast for a dental emergency not only means faster recovery and less pain and discomfort for you, but it can also make the difference between saving or losing a tooth.
Dental emergencies include severe tooth aches, a chipped or broken tooth, a tooth or teeth that have been knocked out, a lost filling or crown, broken braces wires, an abscess, and an object lodged between teeth. If you have any of these dental emergencies, you need to be seen by your dentist as soon as possible. You can’t wait weeks or even all weekend for the next available appointment. Your dental health depends on getting treatment as soon as possible. It is very important to seek treatment immediately.
When choosing a dental practice for you and your family, ask about their procedures for handling dental emergencies. Most dental practices reserve some time each day to handle emergency dental care and many practices are open late and on weekends. Many also offer same day appointments.
Extended hours and same day appointments not only make getting emergency treatment easier, but also allow busy working professionals to schedule dental care around their work schedule. You can always be seen by another dentist, but that dentists will not have access to your dental records. You are better off seeing your own dentist if at all possible.
Adults who want straighter, more attractive teeth but don’t want to endure years of unattractive metal braces have several alternatives to consider. Porcelain veneers, invisible braces, and six month braces are some of the alternatives to traditional metal braces.
In some cases, your cosmetic dentist can achieve the look you desire with porcelain veneers. These are thin porcelain wafers that are permanently bonded to the surface of your teeth and can result in an attractive smile without the discomfort and lengthy treatment time associated with braces.
Invisible braces are another alternative. There are different types of invisible braces such as clear plastic aligners like Invisalign, ceramic tooth colored braces that are less noticeable than conventional metal braces, and inside braces that attach to the back of the patient’s teeth and are hidden from view. One of the primary drawbacks of these types of braces is that they all take at least a year or more. Many cases will take more than two years for the complete treatment.
Six month braces such as the Six Month Smiles system are an attractive alternative for patients who want faster results without using veneers. Six month braces focus on straightening just the front teeth without major bite corrections. They work like traditional braces, but only take six months in most cases. Also, six month braces typically use a tooth colored wire and brackets to make them less noticeable than traditional metal braces.
When you are ready for a straight, beautiful smile that will improve you confidence and self esteem, talk to your cosmetic dentist about your options to see if six month braces are a good alternative for you.
Clear braces are an excellent choice for patients who would like a straighter, more attractive smile but have avoided braces because of the cosmetic issues associated with traditional metal braces. Clear braces, often called invisible braces or clear aligners, are one of several alternatives for adults who want straighter teeth and a more attractive smile but don’t want to endure years of a mouth full of unattractive metal braces.
Clear aligners are clear plastic orthodontic devices that are computer designed and molded to fit over the patient’s teeth. There are several brands of clear aligners on the market including Invisalign and ClearCorrect. They are virtually unnoticeable and worn for about 22 hours a day. They can be removed for eating, drinking, and for brushing and flossing.
Clear aligners work based on the same principles as conventional braces. They gently move the patient’s teeth by applying pressure to the teeth. The alignment pressure and tooth movement is controlled by replacing the aligner every two weeks with a new aligner. Because the adjustments are more frequent and smaller than with conventional braces, clear aligners typically result in less discomfort than conventional braces.
Clear aligners are not as strong as traditional metal braces so they are better suited for moderate misalignment cases. While relatively comfortable, they take a little while for most patients to get used to wearing them. In addition, since they are removable they require commitment and dedication from the patient. Removing the aligner too frequently and for extended periods, forgetting to wear the aligner, or losing the aligner will significantly reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
When you are ready for a beautiful new smile without unattractive metal braces, talk to your dentist or orthodontist about whether clear braces are right for you.
If you have always wanted straight teeth and a more attractive smile but shudder at the thought of wearing unattractive metal braces for years, talk to your dentist or orthodontist about whether invisible braces are a good option for you. With invisible braces, you can enjoy the enhanced confidence and self-esteem that comes from an attractive smile without unsightly and uncomfortable conventional braces.
Invisible braces are generally most appropriate for adults. Most cannot be used when the patient still has baby teeth. In addition, invisible braces are best suited for correction of mild to moderate misalignments. They are not as strong as conventional metal braces and are not effective for complex bite problems and severe misalignments.
There are several different types of invisible braces. Clear aligners are clear, removable “trays” that are custom fitted over your teeth. Clear aligners are virtually invisible and relatively comfortable, but they may require some getting used to. Clear aligners are worn for 22 hours a day and are removed for eating and cleaning teeth. A new aligner is used every few weeks to adjust the pressure on the teeth to move them.
Ceramic braces are pretty much the same as conventional metal braces except that they are made from a ceramic tooth colored material so they blend in with the patient’s teeth. They are less noticeable than conventional braces, but more noticeable than other types of invisible braces.
Inside braces are similar to conventional braces except that they attach to the inside or back of the patient’s teeth rather than the outside or front like conventional braces. They are much less noticeable than virtually any other types of braces.
Your orthodontist or dentist can help you decide what type of invisible braces are the best alternative for you .
There are many reasons for choosing cosmetic dentistry. Along with improving the appearance of the patient’s teeth, mouth and smile, cosmetic dentistry can improve a patient’s confidence and self-esteem. In addition, cosmetic dentistry can restore malformed, crooked, or decaying teeth.
Advances in technology mean that modern cosmetic dental procedures are more widely available and the results are generally more durable. Depending on the needs of the patient, there may be several options to choose from for achieving the desired result.
Common cosmetic dentistry procedures include:
Teeth Whitening – This is a very common procedure and when performed in your dentist’s office, it usually provides excellent results at relatively low cost. One drawback to teeth whitening is that crowns and composite fillings may need to be replaced to match the new whiter, brighter color of your teeth.
Dental Implants – These are a relatively recent innovation in dentistry where a metal anchor is implanted into the patient’s jaw bone. Once the bone has healed, an artificial tooth is attached to the anchor. The tooth looks and feels like the patient’s natural teeth.
Dental Veneers – These are thin shells made from porcelain or composite material that are bonded to the surface of your teeth to improve the tooth’s appearance. They are a less expensive alternative to crowns and do not require as much of the natural tooth to be removed, but they may not be as durable as crowns (also called caps).
Composite Fillings – Instead of using gold or silver colored (amalgam) fillings for decayed teeth, you may have the option of tooth colored composite fillings that will blend in and look just like your natural teeth. Composite filings can also be used to repair chipped teeth or fill gaps between teeth.
Inlays – Similar to composite fillings, tooth colored inlays are used a composite filling would not be strong enough and the tooth would be compromised. Inlays are made a dental lab and placed by your dentist.
