Blog

Five Must-Know Facts About Tooth Extractions

dental implant tooth

photo credit: vetkit | dollarphotoclub

Even if you take great care of your teeth, you may have to undergo a tooth extraction at some point in your life. Tooth extractions can be stressful, especially when you don’t know what to expect.

Fact #1: There Are Simple Extractions and Surgical Extractions

If the tooth is fully erupted, your general dentist can perform a simple extraction. During a simple extraction, the dentist uses an elevator and forceps to loosen and remove the tooth. Sometimes, however, the tooth may still be completely or partially hidden under the gums, requiring surgical removal. Surgical extractions require an incision in the gum to reach all or some of the tooth.

Fact #2: The Process Isn’t Painful

A lot of people associate pain with going to the dentist, but like basically all dental procedures, a tooth extraction should not be painful. The entire area is made numb with a local anesthetic so that you don’t feel anything. If you do feel some discomfort, simply tell your dentist you need more anesthetic. You may experience some pressure when the dentist pulls on the tooth. While this pressure may feel weird, it doesn’t hurt.

Fact #3: Anxiety-Reducing Options Are Available

If you’re really nervous about having your tooth extracted, talk to your dentist about anxiety-reducing options. Inhalation sedation, oral sedation and IV-conscious sedation are the three common sedation options that help make your time at the dentist’s office a little easier. All options give the process a surreal feeling that keeps you calm and relaxed during the procedure. In many cases of IV sedation, you don’t have much memory of the treatment once it’s done. As an added benefit, these sedation options further reduce pain and discomfort. You won’t even notice the pressure previously described.

Fact #4: There Is a Short Recovery Period

While a tooth extraction is a common dental procedure, there is a small recovery time. The area will probably bleed or ooze a little, swell and feel tender, but over-the-counter and prescribed pain medications can help. Your dentist will tell you how best to care for the surgical site. During this recovery time, it’s important to avoid painful dry socket, which occurs when the blood clot is lost. Dry socket can be caused by smoking, sucking through a straw or forcefully spitting.

Fact #5: Replacement Options Are Available

Luckily, after your tooth is pulled, you can have it replaced. The three options include a dental implant, dental bridge and partial denture. Dental implants are the strongest and most durable option because they sit in your jaw like natural teeth, but they are the most expensive option. Dental bridges are somewhat durable because they use existing teeth as anchors. They are cheaper, but require the dentist to alter some of your healthy teeth. Partial dentures are the cheapest option, and although they are not as invasive as the other choices, they are removable, and this allows them to move and slip.

Sometimes, tooth extractions are necessary in order to prevent further complications. Luckily, whether you need a surgical or simple extraction, the process isn’t painful. There are anxiety-reducing options to choose from, the recovery period is short, and there are replacement options available. For more information, please contact Landmark Dental Group today!

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

4 Common Conditions That Can Be Improved With Geriatric Dentistry

Older Man With Tooth Pain

photo credit: Dollar Photo Club

As you age, your smile may not be as healthy as it once was, but geriatric dentistry can help. Healthy gums and teeth are important at every stage of life, and if you’re struggling with your oral health, your dentist can help. Check out these four common problems in elderly patients and how they are prevented and treated.

Periodontal Disease

Although the CDC states that 70.1 percent of adults aged 65 years and older have periodontal disease, it isn’t a normal part of aging. With proper at-home dental care and routine dental cleanings/exams, you can prevent periodontal disease. However, if you already have gum disease, there are some treatments:

  • Deep cleanings that involve cleaning and smoothing the root to destroy plaque, tartar and bacteria
  • Antibiotic medications, gels and mouthwash that kill bacteria
  • Flap surgery, which reduces the gap between teeth and gums (a perfect hiding spot for bacteria)
  • Bone and tissue grafts to add volume to the gums or jawbone in the event of gum or bone recession

If you have gingivitis, the mild form of gum disease, these treatments may reverse it. Periodontitis or advanced gum disease isn’t reversible, but these treatments can reduce symptoms.

Missing Teeth

Missing teeth are also common in elderly patients, but there are a lot of ways your dentist can help you replace your missing teeth:

  • Dental bridges use existing teeth as anchors and bridge the gap to fill in the missing tooth or teeth
  • Dentures can be used to replace all or some missing teeth, and they are removable
  • Dental implants are implanted into the gums, and you can choose a single implant, an implant-supported bridge or implant-supported dentures.

Which option is best for you depends on many factors, such as how many teeth are missing, what types of results you want, the health of your gums/existing teeth and your budget. For example, dental implants are the most durable option, but they are also the most expensive, and they may not be good in patients with periodontitis. Your dentist can work with you to help you decide which option is best.

Tooth Root Decay

Enamel acts as a barrier to protect your teeth against plaque and bacteria. However, the roots of your teeth don’t have enamel, and if your gums recede, your roots may be exposed, leading to root caries or tooth root decay.

Treatments include:

  • Fillings that are used to replace the cavity, similar to normal cavities
  • Root canal treatment, which may be necessary if the cavity has reached the core of the tooth and caused infection
  • Gum grafts to recover and protect the roots of the teeth against future problems

Poorly-Fitting Dentures

When you have dentures, your jawbone slowly shrinks because there is nothing to stimulate it. Over time, this causes your dentures to become loose, making it difficult to eat and talk. If you’re tired of dentures that don’t fit right, here are a few treatments to consider:

  • New traditional dentures replace your old dentures and fit better because they use a fresh mold in your mouth
  • Soft or hard relines can be added to your existing dentures to recapture the shape of your mouth, allowing your dentures to fit more snuggly
  • Implant-supported dentures are removable but extremely sturdy, and they don’t have to be resized because the implants stimulate your jaw, preventing it from shrinking

Dental care is possible at any age, and geriatric dentistry is designed to help elderly patients. If you have any of these problems, contact Landmark Dental Group today and schedule an appointment.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

Kids’ Dentistry Santa Cruz: The Top 5 Questions

little girl brushing teeth

photo credit: Dollar Photo Club

Dental care is important at every age, and teaching your child healthy dental habits from the start will ensure healthy teeth for life. If you have questions about how to care for your child’s teeth, check out the five frequently asked questions from our experience in kids’ dentistry listed below.

When Should Your Child’s First Dentist Visit Be?

According to the American Dental Association, you should bring your child for their first dental checkup as soon as their first tooth erupts, which can be as early as six months of age. At the latest, whether the first tooth has erupted or not, your child should see the dentist by their first birthday. This first visit is mostly about getting to know your child and your child’s teeth. The dentist will check for decay or potential future problems. The dentist will also educate you on how you can keep your child’s teeth healthy.

Do You Really Need to Care for Primary Teeth?

Your child will naturally lose their primary teeth, so is it really that important to keep them healthy? Yes, it is. Primary teeth play an important role in your child’s life. For starters, they help your child chew and speak clearly. However, their job doesn’t end there. Primary teeth are place holders for permanent teeth. They create a path through which the adult teeth grow. If you fail to provide proper care for your child’s primary teeth, they may decay, which not only causes pain, but can actually affect the health of the developing adult teeth.

How Do You Care for Your Child’s Teeth?

To care for your child’s teeth, you need to teach good oral hygiene habits, promote a healthy diet that is low in sugar and take your child in for routine dental checkups. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste and a child’s toothbrush can begin when the first tooth erupts. At first, use a small bit of toothpaste no bigger than a grain of rice. When your child is around three to six years, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. You’ll need to brush your child’s teeth until they get the hang of it, but make sure to monitor their brushing until they can properly brush unsupervised, which can be until a child is 6 years old.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Sealants are something your child’s dentist may recommend to help protect the back teeth. Back teeth have pits and fissures that make decay easy. These tiny crevices give bacteria and plaque a place to hide, which leads to tooth decay. Sealants are thin plastic coatings that are used to fill in these pits and fissures, giving bacteria no place to hide. Although sealants withstand daily chewing well, they do eventually wear down and need replacing. Even with sealants, you still need to take good care of your child’s teeth to avoid decay.

When Do the Permanent Teeth Erupt?

The first batch of permanent teeth (the first and second molars) erupt around the age of six and seven, but they don’t actually replace any primary teeth. This is because there are fewer primary teeth than permanent teeth. Except for the third molars, the rest of the permanent teeth usually replace the primary teeth by the age of 13. The third molars (commonly referred to as wisdom teeth) don’t appear until your child is older (between 17 and 20).

Don’t cheat your child out of a healthy smile for life. Take good care of your child’s teeth from the start by instilling healthy habits. If you would like more information regarding kids’ dentistry in Santa Cruz, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

5 Myths About Tooth Whitening — Debunked!

white bright teeth smiling woman

photo credit: Nobilior | Dollar Photo Club

Tooth whitening is one of the most popular dental cosmetic procedures because it produces excellent results, does not harm the teeth or gums, and doesn’t cost a fortune. If you are curious about whitening your teeth, but would first like more information, see below for five myths about tooth whitening to learn the truth for yourself.

Myth #1: Tooth Whitening Is Painful

Putting a bleaching agent on your teeth may sound painful, but the process should not cause much or any discomfort at all. Placing too much of the whitening solution into the custom tray may cause some to get onto your gums, which may cause some slight discomfort.  Simply removing the tray and rinsing your mouth will alleviate any discomfort from too much solution.  Also, some people may experience an increase in sensitivity to things like cold and air.  This typically occurs immediately following the application of the whitening agent, is only temporary and will go away with time, and often occurs in those individuals who are more sensitive to begin with.  If you have sensitive teeth, rest assured — most sensitivity can be treated with a little time or a desensitizing gel or mouthwash to use after whitening.

Myth #2: Tooth Whitening Damages Enamel

One of the biggest misconceptions about tooth whitening is that it may damage your enamel.  This is simply not true. The term “bleaching” can be a bit misleading. Bleach can destroy things, but the whitening solution used on your teeth is peroxide based, and it doesn’t weaken or remove your enamel. In fact, the US FDA performs rigorous testing on the bleaching agents used in teeth whitening gel to ensure that they are completely safe and won’t damage your tooth enamel.

Myth #3: At-Home Whitening Isn’t as Effective as In-Office Whitening

At-home whitening is just as effective as in-office whitening.  Although in-office whitening can often have dramatic results, it is usually temporary and, in fact, most dentists will also give the patient custom trays to continue the whitening process at home for the best results.  How white your teeth will become with either method depends on several factors, including how long you wear the whitening trays, the number of days you wear the trays and how well your teeth react to the whitening agents.  As far as over-the-counter whitening toothpastes, rinses, and other products are concerned, they do not whiten your teeth as well (some even argue that they don’t really whiten at all and is more of a marketing ploy).

Myth #4: All Tooth Discoloration Can Be Fixed With Tooth Whitening

Regular tooth whitening is great at fixing extrinsic stains — those caused by foods, beverages, smoking and age. These stains are on the surface, where the whitening agent works. However, intrinsic stains , or those that are deeper in the tooth structure, don’t always react well to whitening. Stains from trauma that causes the dentin to darken and an overexposure to fluoride, which can cause fluorosis (white or brown spots or mottling of the teeth), are poor choices for tooth whitening.  If you have these types of stains your dentist can work with you to find a solution that will give you a beautiful white smile.

Myth #5: You Only Have to Get Your Teeth Whitened Once

Actually, this myth could hold true, but only if you decide to avoid everything that can caused tooth discoloration in the first place. The results that you experience during the tooth whitening procedure are considered permanent because the bleaching agent destroys your current stains forever. They won’t suddenly come back in a few months. However, tooth whitening doesn’t make your teeth immune to stains. The more stain-causing foods and beverages you consume, the faster your teeth will develop new stains.  Often, patient will need to ‘touch up’ their smile with a few weeks of teeth whitening each year.

If you’re tired of a dark and dingy smile, you don’t have to wait a moment longer. Tooth whitening is a great way to get the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. For more information about teeth whitening, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

Root Canals Don’t Have to Be Painful

root canal appointment

photo credit: Dollar Photo Club

Just like other parts of your body, teeth can become infected. In the past, the only real option was to extract the tooth. Root canal treatment, however, made it possible for dentists to save those infected teeth. Unfortunately, many people hear the term “root canal” and run the other direction in fear because root canal treatment has the reputation of being painful. That couldn’t be farther from the truth; root canal therapy is designed to alleviate your pain and save your tooth.

Infections Are Painful, Not Root Canals

The appearance of pus is the body’s immune system response to an infection, and it is no different with a tooth infection. When you have a tooth abscess, the pus that is present puts pressure on the tooth and the nerves. If you’re lucky, you may not have any pain, but in many cases, people suffering from a tooth infection are in serious, agonizing pain. This pain is present well before any root canal therapy is done.

Whether or not you’re in pain you must seek treatment, because even though it may seem minor, a tooth infection is still an infection and can lead to more serious complications if left untreated. The only methods of treating a tooth infection are extraction and root canal treatment. Root canal treatment is the only way to save the tooth.

You’re Numb During the Procedure

People have a lot of fear about going to the dentist, and years ago, it was understandable. Local anesthetics didn’t exist, and once they did, they were rarely used. This made people avoid going to the dentist because they could feel everything that was being done inside their mouth. Now, however, the dentist uses local anesthetic for any treatment that may irritate the pulp, and that includes root canal treatment.

During a root canal treatment, the area is numb, so you shouldn’t feel a thing. Because the dentist has to clean all the way down to the tip of the roots, you may need more anesthetic than a normal filling, but your dentist can make sure the area is nice and numb before proceeding. The truth is that root canal treatment does not create pain, but rather stops the pain because it gets rid of the infection.

Root Canal Treatment Removes the Tooth Pulp

Root canal treatment involves removing the pulp from the center of the tooth, which contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. Once the pulp and infection are gone, the dentist fills the empty root space with a material called gutta-percha, places a filling and covers the tooth with a crown to strengthen it and prevent the tooth from fracturing.

After the procedure, there may be a minor amount of discomfort, but this can be easily managed with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medications, or your dentist may prescribe stronger pain medication.

Root canal treatment is not as scary as people think. It is a common procedure and a major advancement in dentistry that prevents and/or reduces pain and saves the tooth. If you would like more information about root canal treatment, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

Tooth Replacement Options After Tooth Extraction

dental implants bridge image

Photo credit: Dollar Photo Club

When a tooth is severely damaged or decayed, sometimes a tooth extraction is necessary. After the tooth is pulled, however, it’s important to replace it to maintain functionality and appearance. The three common solutions to replace a missing tooth are a dental implant, dental bridge and removable partial denture.

Dental Implant

A dental implant is a titanium artificial tooth root that replaces the original tooth root. Just like your real tooth sits in your jawbone, so does the titanium root. Titanium has a special ability: it can “fuse” to bone. This process is called osseointegration – where the bone grows around the threads of the titanium screw, creating a powerful hold, which makes dental implants almost as durable as your natural teeth.

The implant process does take some time and happens in several stages. First, the dentist must place the implant into your jaw. The gum and bone is then allowed ample time to heal over the implant. Once the area is completely healed, the dentist makes an incision in the gum to reveal the implant and place an abutment, which sticks out of the gums as the area around it heals again. Last, a porcelain or gold crown is placed on the abutment.

To be a good candidate for a dental implant, you should be in good health and have healthy gums and adequate bone. In some cases, the dentist may suggest a bone graft to help add quality and quantity to the jawbone before placing the implant.

Dental Bridge

A dental bridge works much like a real bridge, but instead of connecting land, it connects teeth. Typically, a traditional bridge is comprised of at least three pieces that are connected together: a pontic, that replaces the missing tooth and two abutment crowns (one on each side of the pontic).

To place the bridge, the dentist must file down the teeth on each side of the missing tooth. The crowns on the bridge fit over these teeth, allowing the pontic to fit snuggly between them.

If you are interested in replacing your missing tooth with a dental bridge, it’s important that you have healthy teeth to support the bridge. After the bridge is placed, it’s extra important to keep the support teeth clean and healthy by flossing underneath the pontic tooth with the help of floss threaders.

Removable Partial Denture

Removable partial dentures are used to replace one or several missing teeth. They are usually designed to look like both teeth and gums because they sit on your gums, and they typically have clasps, so they can clip to remaining teeth for extra stability. However, they are removable, so the clasps are not cemented to the existing teeth.

As with dental implants and dental bridges, the dentist will need to take an impression of your mouth to build the partial denture. The dentist can do this before your teeth are pulled to craft immediate dentures or wait until the area has healed for conventional dentures. The benefit of immediate dentures is that you can wear them as soon as your teeth are pulled. However, if you have a lot of missing teeth, the bones and gums have a tendency to shrink, causing the immediate partial denture to feel loose and may eventually require a reline to tighten up the fit.

Removable partial dentures are the best replacement option if you suffer from uncontrolled gum disease or similar oral health problem because dentures don’t require you to have a firm jawbone. They are also usually the least expensive option, making them a common choice for people on a tight budget.

Tooth extraction isn’t always necessary, and if that’s the case, your dentist will discuss other options to save the tooth. However, in some cases, there’s no alternative option and there are replacement options. For more information about tooth extraction or replacement, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

Happy National Brush Day!

IMG_9214

photo credit: Dollar Photo Club

The day after Halloween is National Brush Day – a reminder to practice good oral hygiene by brushing for 2 minutes, 2 times a day.

Here are some tips for cleaning off all that sticky, sweet plaque from yesterday’s loot:

  • Use an appropriately sized, soft-bristled brush that can fit all the nooks and crannies in your mouth
  • Angle the toothbrush bristles at 45-degrees to the gums and move in small back-and-forth strokes
  • Clean the cheek-side, tongue-side, and chewing surfaces of all teeth.  Tip: to clean that hard-to-reach inside surface of the lower front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and brush using up and down strokes.
  • Clean in between teeth (where the brush bristles can’t reach) with floss
  • Brush with a fluoride-containing toothpaste
  • Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkup exams

So keep enjoying the sweet spoils from last night’s festivities, but remember to brush and floss in order to avoid getting tooth decay.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

Veneers Make Beautiful Smiles Possible!

veneers next to crooked teeth

Veneers are thin shells that are placed on the fronts of your front teeth, and they are able to correct many types of cosmetic dental problems. There are two different types of veneers: those made from ceramic and those made from a resin-based composite. If you want a more beautiful smile, it’s time to learn a bit more about veneers and how they can help!

General Advantages of All Veneers

Veneers have many advantages because they fix so many common cosmetic dental concerns. If your teeth are slightly crooked or have minor gaps, the dentist can place veneers to make your teeth look straight much faster than braces. Veneers also hide cracks, chips and misshapen teeth (including teeth that appear too small or short, etc.). For persistent stains that cannot be corrected with teeth whitening, veneers can cover them to give your teeth the shade you’ve always desired.

Advantages of Ceramic Veneers

Ceramic veneers or porcelain veneers are one option when you are considering veneers. Although the words ceramic and porcelain may sound fragile, these veneers are actually extremely durable. They’re also resistant to stains, and the dentist can pick the perfect shade to match the rest of your teeth. If the rest of your teeth are stained, however, you may want to talk to a dentist about getting them whitened before getting veneers as the veneers themselves cannot be whitened.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of ceramic veneers is how well they capture the natural look of teeth. Your natural teeth aren’t just white. They have a translucence to them, especially at the tips. Ceramic veneers have this same translucency. They look like real, natural teeth!

Advantages of Resin-Based Composite Veneers

The other option for veneers is a resin-based composite. It’s the same material the dentist uses to create tooth-colored fillings, so it is also durable. This material can also be colored to match the rest of your teeth, and while it can create a beautiful, white smile, it is more difficult to create the same translucence of ceramic.

Resin-based composite veneers can often be placed in a single visit. Ceramic veneers typically take two visits because the lab needs time to craft the ceramic veneers. With resin-based veneers, the dentist shapes the material to look like natural teeth. Another advantage of choosing resin-based composite veneers is that the cost is often slightly less than with ceramic ones.

Considerations to Recognize Before Getting Veneers

There are some facts to consider before you choose to get veneers. For starters, unlike dental crowns, veneers don’t strengthen teeth. If your teeth are weakened from large cavities, cracks or fillings, they may not be the best option. Another consideration is that to place the veneers on your teeth, the dentist must permanently alter your teeth by removing some of the outer surface.  This means you’ll need to have veneers forever to protect your teeth from exposure to bacteria and plaque. This is not a reversible process. However, the amount of tooth structure removed is far less than with dental crowns.

As with any procedure, there are considerations to recognize, but the many great advantages of veneers usually outweigh them. With veneers, you can have the perfect “Hollywood” smile without much time or effort. If you’re ready to transform your smile, or if you just want more information, contact us today. We’re happy to have a conversation and walk through your options.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

photo credit: Dollar Photo Club

The Top 4 Benefits of Dentures

dentures on table

photo credit: Bartkowski | Dollar Photo Club

Everyone wants a flawless smile, which is why missing teeth can be an embarrassing. However, the disadvantages of having several missing teeth aren’t just cosmetic. Without teeth, it’s hard to do even the simplest everyday actions, like chewing and talking.

If you are tired of struggling with missing teeth, check out these four ways dentures can help improve your life.

1.) They Let You Enjoy Your Favorite Foods Again

Even with one missing tooth, it can become difficult to eat. If food gets stuck in a gap, you may avoid eating on one side of your mouth completely. The more teeth you lose, the harder it gets. Without any teeth, you may only be able to eat soft foods. Dentures give you back the ability to chew and bite again. There is a learning curve, so you may have to start with softer foods until you get the hang of using your dentures, and there may be some foods you’ll have to avoid, such as sticky caramel or biting into a hard apple. However, for the most part, you can enjoy most of your favorite foods again.

2.) They Allow You to Speak Clearly

Teeth aren’t just there to help you bite and chew. The front top teeth, in particular, help you to speak clearly and pronounce specific speech sounds. Many sounds are made when you press your tongue against the backs of your top teeth or when your bottom lip hits your top front teeth. Without any teeth there for your tongue or lip to hit, your speech may sound slurred or you may sound as if you have a lisp. Dentures make it possible for you to speak clearly again. It may take time for your mouth to relearn this because the teeth on the dentures may not sit exactly where your natural teeth did, but after a short time, you’ll be speaking clearly once more.

3.) They Give You Confidence

Of course, the most obvious benefit of dentures is that they give you a beautiful smile. Today, having missing teeth is such a huge stigma that it drastically affects your confidence and self-esteem — even if you’re only missing one. This confidence can help you during day-to-day interactions, improve your prospects during a job interview, or simply make you feel more comfortable smiling in public. Getting dentures helps to restore your confidence, so you can smile without embarrassment or fear again.

4.) They Make You Look Younger

Another problem people with missing teeth is premature aging. Even if you hide your missing teeth from the world by keeping your mouth shut, people will see the results of your missing teeth. Without teeth there to support the cheeks and lips, they may collapse inward, creating a hollow appearance. The facial muscles may even start to sag, and sagging skin always makes you look older than you are. Dentures fill in those hollow spaces to keep your cheeks full and plush, so in some cases, getting dentures can actually give you a “mini-facelift” as an added bonus.

The benefits of dentures are both cosmetic and functional. They give you back confidence and make you look better, but they also make eating and speaking easier. Stop struggling with missing teeth! If you’re ready to make a change or you just want more information on dentures or other tooth replacement options, contact our Santa Cruz office today.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

 

4 Great Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Woman receiving a dental treatment

Sedation can make your dental appointment easier. photo credit: Minerva Studio | Dollar Photo Club

Here at Landmark Dental Group, we understand that going to the dentist isn’t the most enjoyable way to spend your time, but it’s something you shouldn’t avoid. If you get nervous about going to the dentist, however, it can be difficult to bring yourself to go. Luckily, sedation dentistry offers a stress-free way to visit the dentist.

No. 1 – You’re Completely Relaxed

Many people get anxious when they visit the dentist. Even if you’re just going in for a cleaning, you may feel the urge to postpone your appointment. Of course, that only increases the risk of developing a cavity, gum disease, or a more severe problem, including tooth loss. For people who have dental-related phobias, or anxiety in general, sedation dentistry makes going to the dentist a lot easier.

With sedation dentistry, one becomes completely relaxed. It’s easy to forget that you’re at the dentist’s office entirely! Not only does sedation put you at ease, but it makes the entire process easier for your dentist as well. A welcome side effect of the sedation is amnesia, so you won’t remember much of your appointment when it’s over.

No. 2 – You Feel No Pain

One reason people fear going to the dentist is pain. As dentists, we do our best to prevent pain, but some people are more sensitive than others. If you have sensitive teeth or gums, getting your teeth cleaned and rinsed may be painful enough to make you stay away. Even keeping your mouth wide open for a long time can be uncomfortable.

Sedation, however, creates a pain-free experience. Some types of sedation actually increase your pain threshold, so something that normally causes you pain will be like a walk in the park, and keeping your mouth open for a long time will be a breeze.

No. 3 – The Dentist Can Get More Done

Some dental procedures take a long time, and even though you’re just sitting there, they take their toll on you. For example, if you have several teeth that require crowns, and you decide not to undergo sedation dentistry, you may need to schedule several appointments. The strain and stress of a long appointment may just be too much for you.

However, if you do choose to undergo sedation, the dentist can often do more in one longer visit to minimize the number of times you would need to keep coming back. Since you’re sedated, you won’t even realize how long you’ve been at the dentist. You’ll feel like you just sat down when, in actuality, three hours have passed.

No. 4 – There Are Different Types of Sedation Available

There are many different types of sedation available, so you should be able to find the perfect one for you. If you only have a little anxiety about going to the dentist and the treatment won’t be too long, inhalational sedation (i.e. Nitrous oxide or the “laughing gas”) may be the right way to go.  If you have a moderate amount of anxiety, then taking an oral medication prior to your appointment  may help you to feel more relaxed.  On the other hand, if you have more severe anxiety or need to get a lot of treatment done in one visit, intravenous (IV) conscious sedation is the best option.

Sedation makes going to the dentist stress-free, which means you no longer have to put off much needed dental treatment. If you get nervous whenever you think about going to the dentist, contact our friendly office staff at Landmark Dental Group to discuss sedation options by calling (831) 464-1372.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz