Between 5 and 8 percent of Americans are scared to visit the dentist. Around 20 percent of adults are anxious to the point that they only see dentists when absolutely necessary.
You shouldn't deprive yourself of a healthy smile because of dental anxiety or fear. Sedation dentistry from Plano Smiles is the perfect choice for people that are concerned about their dental health but are nervous about visiting our office to get the care they need.
Comparing Sedation Options
Sedation dentistry refers to the administration of medication that eases patients’ fear and allows them to relax during treatment. Dr. Yeary and his team offer two methods of sedation:
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral sedation is one of the more common sedation techniques used in the United States. The patient takes a pill -- typically from the same drug family as Valium -- about an hour before their procedure is scheduled. If the patient feels the need for further sedation just before the procedure, they may take an additional dose. The level of sedation depends on the dosage. While the pill induces feelings of deep relaxation, it leaves patient awake enough to interact with Dr. Yeary if needed. Medication lingers in a patient's body for a few hours, making it ideal for longer procedures, such as extensive cosmetic and restorative treatment.
Nitrous Oxide
You've probably heard nitrous oxide referred to by its slang term, laughing gas. Nitrous is considered to be a mild sedative and is inhaled to achieve sedative effects. Dr. Yeary controls the amount of sedation a patient receives. The effects of nitrous oxide tend to wear off quickly, which is well suited to shorter dental procedures, such as cleanings or fillings. Patients are sedated but still able to signal Dr. Yeary if they feel he should adjust their level of sedation.
Along with sedation, we administer a local anesthetic to thoroughly numb treatment areas and improve comfort during care.
Sedation Dentistry Might Be For You
To learn more about sedation dentistry and which technique might be best suited to your situation, contact Dr. Yeary at Plano Smiles to schedule a consultation.
Tuesday 17 November 2015
Tuesday 10 November 2015
Cosmetic Dentistry: More than What's On the Outside
Cosmetic dental treatments are so-called for their ability to improve the outward appearance of a patient’s smile. From a whiter smile to creating more evenly spaced teeth, there are multiple benefits associated with cosmetic dental procedures. In addition to making your smile look better, some treatments that produce a cosmetically enhanced outcome can also improve the health and strength of your teeth.
Cosmetic procedures can provide the following benefits to your overall dental health:
Reinforcing Weak Teeth and Replacing Damaged Enamel: We offer all-porcelain crowns, the application process for which involves removing decayed dental enamel and replacing it with a porcelain, tooth-shaped prosthetic. While cosmetic dental crowns can make decayed teeth appear healthy and white, they also prevent the spread of decay into the inner canals of teeth and to neighboring, healthy teeth. By applying all-porcelain crowns, Dr. Yeary not only improves your appearance - he also protects the overall health of your smile. .
Repairing Cavities: Dr. Yeary uses tooth-colored composite resin to perform cosmetic dental bonding. When applied and shaped onto teeth, this tooth-colored material helps your smile look even and balanced. But white composite resin can also be used, instead of metal amalgam, to treat cavities. Not only do cosmetic fillings repair damaged and decaying teeth, they not prone to contracting and expanding like metal fillings. This reduces a patient’s risk for experiencing a cracked tooth as their metal filling ages. Additionally, composite fillings are mercury-free, resulting in limited exposure to unfriendly chemicals.
Lasting Comfort and Oral Function: All-porcelain cosmetic restorations are frequently recommended when patients have teeth that are severely decayed, broken or chipped, or that contain a cavity which cannot be repaired with a filling. Porcelain restorations that do not contain a metal base not only look better over the course of their lives, they also are less likely to cause gum irritation and discomfort. Metal can conduct heat and cold, causing tooth sensitivity, and may even produce an allergic reaction as some patients may be sensitive to some of the metal mixtures frequently used in dental restorations. In contrast, all-porcelain prosthetics are gentle on soft tissue and with advancements in fabrication and bonding, hold up well to daily wear and time over the long-run.
In the end, cosmetic dental procedures can also be a motivating way to keep up better at-home care over-all. Dr. Yeary finds that when his patients invest in their smiles through cosmetic dentistry, they're more inclined to keep their smiles healthy. This includes careful and regular brushing and flossing, as well as avoiding foods that could cause staining.
Our Plano cosmetic dentistry patients benefit by choosing options that not only improve their smiles, but also the health of their teeth. For more information about cosmetic dentistry, please contact our office.
Cosmetic procedures can provide the following benefits to your overall dental health:
Reinforcing Weak Teeth and Replacing Damaged Enamel: We offer all-porcelain crowns, the application process for which involves removing decayed dental enamel and replacing it with a porcelain, tooth-shaped prosthetic. While cosmetic dental crowns can make decayed teeth appear healthy and white, they also prevent the spread of decay into the inner canals of teeth and to neighboring, healthy teeth. By applying all-porcelain crowns, Dr. Yeary not only improves your appearance - he also protects the overall health of your smile. .
Repairing Cavities: Dr. Yeary uses tooth-colored composite resin to perform cosmetic dental bonding. When applied and shaped onto teeth, this tooth-colored material helps your smile look even and balanced. But white composite resin can also be used, instead of metal amalgam, to treat cavities. Not only do cosmetic fillings repair damaged and decaying teeth, they not prone to contracting and expanding like metal fillings. This reduces a patient’s risk for experiencing a cracked tooth as their metal filling ages. Additionally, composite fillings are mercury-free, resulting in limited exposure to unfriendly chemicals.
Lasting Comfort and Oral Function: All-porcelain cosmetic restorations are frequently recommended when patients have teeth that are severely decayed, broken or chipped, or that contain a cavity which cannot be repaired with a filling. Porcelain restorations that do not contain a metal base not only look better over the course of their lives, they also are less likely to cause gum irritation and discomfort. Metal can conduct heat and cold, causing tooth sensitivity, and may even produce an allergic reaction as some patients may be sensitive to some of the metal mixtures frequently used in dental restorations. In contrast, all-porcelain prosthetics are gentle on soft tissue and with advancements in fabrication and bonding, hold up well to daily wear and time over the long-run.
In the end, cosmetic dental procedures can also be a motivating way to keep up better at-home care over-all. Dr. Yeary finds that when his patients invest in their smiles through cosmetic dentistry, they're more inclined to keep their smiles healthy. This includes careful and regular brushing and flossing, as well as avoiding foods that could cause staining.
Our Plano cosmetic dentistry patients benefit by choosing options that not only improve their smiles, but also the health of their teeth. For more information about cosmetic dentistry, please contact our office.
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