Sedation dentistry is designed mainly to focus on patients experiencing fear and anxiety related to dental treatment; however, it is also an excellent choice for other patient types. Following are the main groups who experience relief and comfort from sedation dentistry:
- Patients experiencing anxiety and fear or a dental phobia
- Patients possessing an acute gag reflex
- Patients who have special needs
- Patients with physical issues that affect movement
- Anxious or fearful pediatric patients
Dental professionals want a patient to be as stress-free as possible immediately prior to and during a dental visit. Relieving anxiety and fear can turn an unpleasant, stressful experience into a comfortable visit, resulting in a desire to continue dental health and hygiene by returning for regular examinations and procedures.
An acute gag reflex can leave a patient concerned about vomiting during a dental procedure; in fact, many procedures such as taking impressions or working on the back teeth may be impossible. Sedation dentistry helps patients greatly reduce this gag reflex issue, as it is often exacerbated by anxiety and fear.
Patients who have special needs related to autism, Down Syndrome, or a mental or emotional problem may have real difficulty during dental visits. Other patients may deal with physical conditions such as cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, or other disorders of the central nervous system. Patients in this group may have difficulty following instructions or remaining still. Sedation dentistry solves issues of involuntary muscle movements, allowing the dentist to safely and quickly complete treatment.
Fearful children can be problematic for dentists. Children who cannot be still, comply with instructions, or stop crying can cause time-consuming safety issues. Sedation dentistry allows a dentist to perform treatments without physical restraints that could cause emotional trauma to the child, leading to adult dental phobias and fears.
Visiting the dentist and caring for your dental health should be comfortable. Contact our dental office to see what can be done to make your visit as stress-free as possible using sedation dentistry in Fernandina Beach.
It can be rather upsetting to see that your smile is no longer as bright and appealing as it used to. Most people’s teeth become stained and discolored as a result of diet and poor oral hygiene habits. It can make the whole appearance look dull and unkempt, giving others the impression you don’t take good care of yourself. Let’s find out the causes and what you can do about it.
Causes
There are some reasons that teeth become stained or yellowed. The culprits for tooth discoloration are as follows:
- Tobacco – Smoking or chewing on them stains teeth.
- Foods and drinks – Coffee, colas, wines, tea, berries, sauces, and other items that you consume can damage your tooth color.
- Medications – Certain medications are known to discolor teeth, sometimes causing severe stains that are difficult to remove.
- Poor oral hygiene – Improper brushing and flossing is key in removing plaque and stains.
- Age – Aging wears away tooth enamel and reveals the yellowish dentin underneath.
- Disease – Some diseases can harm tooth enamel and trigger discoloration. Certain medical treatments like radiation and chemotherapy can also discolor teeth.
- Environment – Excessive fluoride exposure can stain teeth; this is known as fluorosis.
- Genetics – Some people are more prone to tooth discoloration than others.
- Trauma – A hit to the maxillofacial region can damage the tooth and cause discoloration due to pulp necrosis.
Prevention
Lifestyle changes can prevent tooth discoloration, such as avoiding foods and drinks known to stain teeth. Improving oral hygiene is another step in the right direction, including regular brushing and flossing and consistent professional teeth cleanings.
Treatment
The options vary depending on the severity of discoloration and goals of the patient. Whitening methods include over-the-counter whitening products, at-home whitening kits provided by the dentist, professional in-office whitening treatments, bonding, and dental veneers. These tools cater to various needs according to the patient’s concerns.
Take the first step towards a confident smile. Contact our Fernandina Beach dental office to schedule your consultation!
If you have severely damaged, diseased or injured teeth, your dentist may recommend crown and bridge treatment. A crown is a dental restoration that fully covers a tooth and becomes the tooth’s new outer surface. A bridge is also a dental restoration that is anchored to natural teeth. However, a bridge replaces and fills the gap left by multiple missing teeth. Both crowns and bridges are made from a variety of materials and can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. Unlike removable dental devices like dentures, crowns and bridges are permanently affixed to existing teeth or implants allowing them to look and function similarly to natural teeth.
In addition to restored function and appearance, crowns and bridges offer a host of additional benefits including:
- Dental crowns protect and strengthen the natural tooth, helping you to avoid extraction.
- Crowns are the final step in root canal treatment, protecting the tooth from bacteria that could re-infect the treated tooth.
- Crowns and bridges restore missing teeth and support the remaining teeth.
- Your natural bite is restored and maintained with crown and bridge treatment.
- Placement of crowns and bridges improve your speech, smile and chewing function.
- Adjacent teeth are prevented from shifting and tilting with crown and bridge treatment.
- Crowns and bridges are long-lasting, predictable and durable.
- Placement of crowns and bridges is quick and can usually be completed in as little as two appointments.
- Alternatives to crown and bridgework, like dental implants, are usually more invasive requiring surgery and possibly bone grafting to place the implant.
Consult with your dentist to find out more about the advantages of crowns and bridges and how they can help to restore your healthy smile.
We treat patients from Fernandina Beach and the surrounding area
Severe dental phobia can cause people to completely avoid dental examinations and treatments. Anxiety about dental treatment can develop for many reasons, including fear of pain, the feeling of not having control, fear of needles, a strong gag reflex, or a history of bad dental experiences. If you suffer from extreme dental fears causing you to neglect necessary oral care, sedation dentistry may be the answer to your problem.
A trained sedation dentist can offer a variety of options to address your situation:
- Minimal sedation in the form of nitrous oxide allows you to be awake but relaxed during dental treatment and may be a good option for cleanings, routine examinations, or minor procedures. Your dentist is able to control the amount of sedation you receive.
- Oral conscious sedation also allows you to remain awake during procedures, but may cause you to feel drowsy and will keep you from having much memory of the treatment. A stronger dose can be given to produce more moderate sedation, in which case you may fall asleep but can easily be awakened.
- IV sedation is when a sedative drug is administered through a vein. This type of sedation works rapidly and also allows your dental professional to adjust the level of sedation during treatment.
- General anesthesia provides deep sedation through medications administered that cause nearly complete or total unconsciousness. With general anesthesia, you cannot be awakened until the effects of the drugs have dissipated.
Sedation dentistry can be used for any type of dental procedure, from routine cleanings to more complicated, invasive procedures. Thanks to advances in sedation dentistry, you no longer have to fear the dentist and avoid necessary oral health care.
Do you live in Fernandina Beach or the surrounding area? Our team is ready to help you achieve your smile goals. Schedule your appointment today.
Life is moving faster than ever, especially for families with multiple children. Parents often feel like chauffeurs, shuttling one child to band practice, another to piano lessons, and yet another to a doctor’s appointment. Now, there’s a solution to one of the more challenging tasks: visiting the dentist.
In the past, parents would visit one dentist while their children saw another. As children grew older and outgrew their pediatric dentist, they would have to form a new relationship with an entirely different dentist. For young people just starting to take responsibility for their own dental care, this often leads to inconsistent dental visits, which can result in poor oral hygiene and the onset of adult dental issues.
A family dentist eliminates this hassle by providing care for the entire family, from infants cutting their first teeth to seniors seeking options for aging teeth. This long-term relationship is invaluable because the family dentist has access to the patient’s dental history over many years, enabling them to make the most informed decisions about care.
Convenient family appointments:
With a family dentist, you can schedule appointments in blocks, allowing you to bring the whole family in for checkups and cleanings on the same day—sometimes even at the same time. This convenience saves time and ensures that every member of your family receives the dental care they need.
If you’re looking to save time while ensuring the best possible dental care for you and your family, consider seeking out a skilled family dentist. You won’t regret it!
Do not wait any longer. Book your appointment now and achieve the smile you have always wanted. Dr. Kitson
The importance of having a family dentist who can take care of every family member’s oral health needs can’t be emphasized enough. Regular visits to your family dentist can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Not only that, but your overall health and appearance will also benefit.
Better oral health:
Regular check-ups with your family dentist help identify issues like tooth decay and cavities. Gum disease, another common oral health problem, can also be detected and treated early. Catching dental problems in their early stages makes them easier to manage before they progress to more serious issues, such as tooth loss. Routine professional cleanings during dental visits remove plaque and tartar, helping maintain oral health. Children can begin seeing the family dentist around their first birthday, with checkups continuing throughout their lives.
Improved appearance:
In addition to improving your oral health, maintaining regular family dental visits ensures that your smile remains attractive. With regular examinations and cleanings, your teeth will stay in their best condition. If you require additional treatments beyond the family dentist’s specialty, you may be referred to a cosmetic dentist or orthodontist.
Enhanced overall health:
Visiting a family dentist does more than protect your teeth—it also improves your overall health. Gum disease has been linked to serious health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, strokes, and pregnancy complications. By visiting your family dentist regularly, you may reduce your risk of these health issues. Furthermore, dental checkups help catch oral cancer early. Many dentists conduct routine oral cancer screenings, and early detection significantly improves your chances for successful treatment.
Take the first step towards a confident smile. Contact our Fernandina Beach dental office to schedule your consultation!
