Intravenous, or IV, dental sedation offers patients a way to remain completely relaxed while undergoing dental procedures. Those with dental phobias, severe anxiety, special needs, or other issues are able to obtain necessary treatment instead of avoiding trips to the dentist. IV sedation is an effective and safe process that makes you very relaxed and unaware of the dental work being done. You won’t even remember anything about treatment, allowing you to come away with a positive experience.
Becoming a candidate:
IV medications are delivered directly into your vein through a needle in your arm. You’ll need to schedule an appointment to discuss sedation with your dentist, and disclose any medical conditions and medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) you are taking. A thorough examination will be conducted, X-rays or other tests may be performed, and a discussion of all aspects of IV sedation is necessary to determine if this treatment is right for you.
Going to your appointment:
Arrange for a friend to drive you to and from your appointment, because you may feel drowsy at first. It is advised not to drive, return to work or school, or make important decisions for a day following sedation so that the medication has time to completely wear off. In some cases, your dentist may give instructions for fasting prior to your procedure.
During your procedure:
Qualified, well-trained professionals will be doing your anesthesia and procedure. You will be monitored the entire time to ensure your safety and comfort. The IV will be placed in your arm, and some patients request an additional method of mild sedation be used if needles are upsetting. When the dental work is complete, the sedation will be reversed and you will become more alert to go home.
Recovering from your appointment:
Follow all of the instructions from your dentist about after-care, which will vary depending upon your procedure. Any grogginess you might feel from the sedation usually wears off after a few hours, so plan on resting before returning to your normal routine.
We treat patients from Fernandina Beach and the surrounding area
Root canal therapy is a painless procedure performed when decay has caused enough damage to a tooth that the tooth is dying or has already died. During treatment, your dentist or endodontist removes the diseased or damaged pulp from the tooth and then refills the tooth cavity. To ensure a successful and pleasant treatment, here are some basic do’s and don’ts to follow:
- Do take any medication your dentist has prescribed for you to take prior to root canal therapy.
- Don’t anticipate pain; be calm and relaxed during your treatment.
- Do expect mild discomfort for 2-3 days following the procedure. Apply an ice pack and sleep with your head elevated to minimize swelling.
- Don’t skip on taking prescribed pain medications, even if you are not experiencing extreme pain.
- Do avoid biting on hard foods or meddling with the affected tooth during the course of treatment.
- Don’t drink excessively hot or cold beverages until the completion of treatment.
- Do continue normal brushing on the root canal treated tooth.
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol within 24 hours of root canal therapy.
- Do eat a soft diet for several days and avoid chewing on the treated tooth until a permanent restoration is placed.
- Don’t delay having the treated tooth capped with a crown or other restoration to avoid fracture or additional damage, causing failure of your root canal therapy.
- Do contact your dental professional immediately should you have any complications or questions during your recovery, and make sure to keep any follow-up appointments scheduled by your dentist or endodontist.
Root canal therapy has a 95% success rate. By following these simple guidelines, you can help to ensure a positive result from your root canal therapy and enjoy many more years of a healthy smile.
If you need a dentist in Fernandina Beach contact us today
A toothache can make your life miserable. It may involve terrible tooth pain as well as headaches, sleeplessness, and difficulty eating. A trip to the dentist’s office is a must if you want relief. An examination might reveal that you need root canal treatment to save your tooth and eliminate your symptoms.
Severe tooth decay, a faulty crown, repeated tooth procedures or trauma are common causes of tooth damage. These issues can also lead to infection of your tooth’s pulp, which is on the inside of your tooth. Also called endodontic therapy, root canal treatment focuses on getting rid of the damaged tooth pulp. If infection is present, it is also removed. The root canal is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and then the area is filled with a special material called gutta-percha. Finally, the tooth is typically restored with a dental crown to provide maximum protection from future damage.
Some of the benefits you can expect from root canal treatment include chewing with normal biting force and sensation, maintaining natural tooth appearance, protecting other teeth from excessive wear, and avoiding a troublesome gap in the smile. In as little as one or two appointments, these benefits can be achieved without a great deal of discomfort. Innovations in technology have made the experience of root canal treatment usually no more painful or difficult than simply getting a dental filling. Once root canal treatment is complete, the tooth can last a lifetime with regular checkups and proper oral hygiene.
We treat patients from Fernandina Beach and the surrounding area
The first impression you make on the world often starts with your smile. Dingy, dull, crooked or chipped teeth create the appearance of an “old” smile, making you look older than your actual years. Restoring your smile’s youthful look is an easy way to subtract years from the image you portray to the world. Thanks to advances in modern cosmetic dentistry, your smile can appear as young as you feel.
As tooth enamel thins with age, teeth lose their shine and appear darker. Thin enamel also causes teeth to weaken, making them easier to chip and causing wear and shifting. Cosmetic dentistry offers many procedures and treatments to address these problems and help return your smile to a younger, more vibrant state. Just a few options you may want to consider include:
- Professional teeth whitening to improve the color of teeth that have been darkened by stains or discolored from age.
- Porcelain veneers and bonding to correct gaps, chips, and teeth with uneven lengths. Veneers can also reshape teeth, restoring the youthful appearance created by longer teeth. Veneers can also be used to build up your back teeth to support the cheekbones, replacing the fullness lost with aging and giving your face the appearance of a “lift”.
- Orthodontia with either clear or traditional braces corrects the misalignment caused by teeth that shift as you age.
If your desire is to look as youthful as you feel, cosmetic dentistry may be a perfect solution to address the problems of an aging smile. Many procedures can be completed in as little as one office visit, with little to no recovery time. Consult with a qualified cosmetic dentist to find out how you can achieve a younger, more perfect smile.
If you live in the Fernandina Beach area contact us today
One of the most recent innovations in modern orthodontics is Invisalign. These unique clear aligners are becoming increasingly popular for improving smiles without the stigma associated with traditional braces. Invisalign aligners straighten teeth by placing gentle pressure on them to move into better positions. This solution offers distinct advantages to some of the other options in orthodontics.
Hidden appearance:
One of the most obvious benefits of Invisalign is that the clear plastic is practically invisible in your mouth. The subtle appearance of the retainers is much less obtrusive than traditional metal braces. For patients who want to diminish the fact that they are undergoing orthodontic treatment, Invisalign in the perfect solution. Personal and professional relationships are not at risk of embarrassment due to being self-conscious about your smile.
Easy removal:
You will remove aligners from your mouth when eating or performing oral hygiene tasks. There are no impacts to your diet during Invisalign treatment, since you take out the aligners anytime you eat. Brushing and flossing are performed normally without having to worry about cleaning food debris out of intrusive wires and brackets. This can have positive impacts on your oral health as well.
Increased comfort:
The lack of metal pieces in the aligners means a more comfortable experience. Traditional braces have a reputation for poking the mouth or breaking. Invisalign offers a clear advantage of being very comfortable when worn.
Boosted confidence:
No matter if you are a teenager or an adult wearing braces, it can be embarrassing to have a mouth full of metal in your smile. The invisible quality of Invisalign eliminates those self-conscious feelings, giving you the confidence to smile, laugh and eat as usual even while undergoing treatment.
If these benefits of Invisalign sound appealing to you, schedule an appointment with a qualified orthodontist who provides this type of treatment. It may be the winning route to your beautiful smile.
We treat patients from Fernandina Beach and the surrounding area
Do you have children? Are you exhausted from driving all over town for clubs and meetings and appointments for your family? If you are finding yourself occasionally overwhelmed by the needs of your family, a family dentist can help you simplify one area of your life. A family dentist can see each member of your family, from the youngest to the oldest, sometimes on the same day in the same block of time!
Because of the rising popularity of family dental practices, you have more choices than ever to address the oral health needs of your entire family. Choosing the right one can be difficult and confusing. If you’re looking for a new family dentist, here are some factors you can consider when you’re choosing which family dental practice in your area is for you:
- How much training does this dentist have? How long has he or she been in business? All dentists must graduate from dental college, but a truly exceptional dentist will pursue continuing education courses in an effort to stay abreast of the latest methods and technology in their field. Ask what current certifications the dentist holds. How experienced is their staff?
- Are the employees and the dentist good with children? When you visit their offices, do you see an environment that’s inviting and warm? Are there games or activities for children of all ages? Are the magazines you see appropriate for all ages? Do the patients in the waiting area seem comfortable and relaxed? Does everyone you see seem happy? Did the front office staff greet you in a friendly manner? If any of the answers is no, then you should look at the practice more closely before you make an appointment.
- How modern is the office? A good family dentist will have current technology and sedation dentistry options to ensure a pleasant visit for all.
Choosing a family dentist is an important step. Don’t rush into it; do some research before you decide, and you can ensure that you make the best choice for your family.
We look forward to seeing you in our Fernandina Beach dental office
