How Will Sedation Dentistry Help Me?

Each year, an estimated 10 percent of the U.S. population purposely avoids vital dental treatment due to fear, anxiety and sometimes powerful phobias. These people are more at-risk for developing serious dental health conditions that are normally detected and treated during checkups.

Sedation dentistry provides a solution to stress, leaving the patient free of anxiety. Sedation dentistry uses carefully applied medication, which allows the patient to relax while the doctor performs treatment. In this way, multiple procedures can be performed during a single visit. 

The three most common types of sedation are:

·          Inhalants – Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, works very quickly. Patients feel its effect within five minutes of administration and can settle into a comfortable relaxed feeling, while remaining fully awake. Most patients will have very little memory of the procedure. With a five minute dose of pure oxygen, patients can drive themselves home without lingering effects.

·       Oral Sedatives – This type of medication is taken in the form of anti-anxiety pills prior to treatment. The patient remains conscious and can respond to directions and requests, but doesn’t experience any pain or distress. The patient will feel a bit groggy before and after the procedure so your dentist will request that you have someone to drive you to and from your appointment.

·       Intravenous (IV) Sedatives – This sedative is administered directly into to the blood stream through a needle. It will reduce awareness and memory by inducing a “twilight sleep.” During the procedure, the patient is free of discomfort. Patients will need someone to take them home.

Benefits of Sedation Therapy

More dental care providers are offering sedation dentistry so that they can limit a serious obstacle to their patients’ oral health. Being able to eliminate any feelings of alarm, panic and fear from people who would rather suffer through tooth pain than visit a dentist is a significant step in the direction of better health.

Research has demonstrated time and again that the key to improved overall well-being is optimal oral health through regular cleanings and professional checkups. Professional dental organizations, which include the American Dental Association, have declared preventive measures, such as brushing twice a day and flossing regularly, essential in the early detection of many harmful conditions, such as oral cancers.   

Located at 209 W. Pecan in Coleman, TX, Dr. Lawrence Thompson offers oral conscious sedation and nitrous oxide to his patients. If you are seeking a dentist who is focused on patient needs and who can effectively ease the fear associated with visiting the dentist, contact his office today.

How to Handle Dental Emergencies

 Most of the time, people who visit our Coleman, TX  dental office do so for cleanings and checkups as part of an ongoing commitment good dental health. Other times, there are dental emergencies that need immediate attention. In dental emergency situations, you can contact our office and we will work to fit you in as soon as possible.

What defines a dental emergency?

Dental emergencies typically refer to conditions in which the teeth or gums are seriously damaged and require professional treatment. Sometimes, treatment must be done right away in order to prevent even more serious consequences from occurring. Examples of dental emergencies might include injuries, which can range from chipped, broken, or knocked-out Teeth.

Other forms of dental emergencies involve infections of the tooth or surrounding tissues. If infections spread below the gum line, they can lead to an abscess and significant discomfort. Abscesses are especially dangerous because they damage supporting structures below the teeth and, if left untreated, can enter the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body.

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

In cases where the tooth is knocked out, it might be possible to replace it in the socket, so long as the tooth is handled properly and the patient gets to the dentist within an hour or so. However, many times it becomes necessary to consider replacements for the missing tooth, such as a bridge or dental implant. Some dental emergencies involve damage to dental work, such as lost fillings and crowns. This often results in discomfort or pain. While waiting to see the dentist, patients can diminish pain by applying clove oil to the tooth. Dr. Thompson will help restore function with a temporary or more short-term solution until your new, permanent is complete.

Contact Your Emergency Dentist

When you are suffering from a dental emergency, you want a dentist that you can depend on to treat the condition promptly. You want someone who can put you at ease during a stressful time. Call our Coleman office immediately if you have experienced a dental emergency. We will provide advice over the phone and have you visit our office as soon as you can.

Dr. Thompson has extensive experience dealing with all manner of tooth trauma and dental emergencies. You don’t have to put up with pain or wait until the problem gets worse. Contact our Coleman office today.

The Power of Dental Implants and Implant-Supported Dentures

Never underestimate the positive impact of a beautiful smile. A mouth full healthy teeth can boost your self-esteem, giving you greater confidence in your social and professional interactions. This is why Dr. Lawrence Thompson is so committed to finding effective ways to replace teeth, and one of the most effective treatments he’s found for badly damaged or missing teeth is dental implants.

If you’ve got numerous tooth problems, you might be putting off dental work, afraid that the only viable solution is traditional dentures. Fortunately, dental implants and implant-supported dentures offer sturdier and more comfortable alternatives.

Why Choose Dental Implants?

The drawbacks of traditional dentures involve the risk of slippage, which can hinder a person’s ability to eat certain foods and affect speech patterns. Dental implants solve this problem by securing the replacement tooth into the patient’s jaw with an artificial root.

Once the artificial root is secured, it serves as a base for a natural-looking crown that fits right in with the remaining teeth, restoring your smile in an attractive way. Dental implants function like real teeth, allowing you to eat and speak like normal.

What about Implant-Supported Dentures?

Implant-supported dentures are an effective solution if you need to replace many teeth. This process uses artificial tooth roots as a base to support partial or complete dentures. Dentures can be non-removable and secured to the implants with retaining screws. This is the most permanent solution and is great for people who don’t want to remove their dentures every day.

Dentures can also be removable, in which case the full or partial denture is hooked to the supporting implants in a way that is secure but not permanent. The dentures can be taken out and cleaned, but when they are in place, they are still supported strongly enough that they won’t move around.

Besides the convenience factor, dental implants help to preserve natural bone. Without a root in place, bone will recede over time, and traditional dentures do nothing to prevent this process from occurring. Implants, on the other hand, stimulate continued growth of the bone, helping patients to maintain the shape of their face.

Dr. Lawrence Thompson can diagnose your dental health to determine if you are a good candidate for implants. If you don’t have enough remaining healthy bone to support the implant, he can recommend alternative solutions, so contact our office today.