Archive for the ‘Sedation Dentistry’ Category

What to expect with a tooth implant surgery?

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

I’m getting a tooth implant surgery tomorrow in the front and I was wondering exactly what to expect.  I’m getting IV sedation so I know during the procedure it won’t be too bad, but how bad of pain will I experience in the days after? Do people swell or bruise with this surgery? And are you able to go back to school quickly? And one more question… A little later after the surgery do you think I could go shopping? I’m getting the surgery done in a city so it would be kind of nice if I could.

Thanks, Haley

Dear Haley,

A dental implant is a great choice especially for an anterior tooth because it will feel and look natural. You may have some discomfort however your dentist will probably prescribe some medication to help ease the pain. Make sure you take your medicine on a full stomach since pain medications can cause nausea and you will want to take it within a couple hours after your surgery.

Due to the fact that you’re being sedated during the procedure, we recommend that you go home and rest afterward. IV sedation can make one drowsy and you may experience some nausea therefore you should put off shopping for the day. Most patients feel back to normal after about 8 hours following the procedure however you should resume your normal routine when you feel comfortable. You should be able to return to school the next day, however that all depends on your pain tolerance and comfort level. There will be some pain but with each passing day the pain subsides.

Swelling is somewhat common to the mouth and cheeks however the severity depends on the surgery. If you are having bone grafting as well you may notice more swelling along with some bruising however usually 2 or 3 days after your surgery. Its best after surgery to put ice packs on your face where the implant was placed to help reduce any swelling that might occur at least for the first 24 hours.

Post courtesy of Dr. Malone, Lafayette Louisiana Cosmetic Dentist

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A sedation dentist can help with treatment during addiction recovery

Monday, October 31st, 2011

I need a lot of dental treatment, and I have a problem. I am in treatment for drug addiction, and when I told my regular dentist this, she refused to give me any pain medication during treatment. We were supposed to do two root canal treatments, and I couldn’t even make it through one whole procedure. I had to have her stop, and though she seemed sincerely sorry, she refused to give me any kind of medication.

What should I do? I have to get these root canals done, and I am pretty sure I also need to decide if I want dental implants, but for sure that is off the table if I can’t find a dentist who will sedate me. I’ve read about the procedure, and no way can I have those root forms implanted without meds.

I appreciate any pointers you can give me. I am trying to turn my life around, and this needs to be done.

Marcus from New England

Dear Marcus,

You need to find a sedation dentist, a dentist who is trained in how to treat pain and anxiety during dental treatment. A dentist who has undergone training in sedation dentistry will understand how to best work with your treatment plan. The dentist who is overseeing your treatment plan might be an excellent resource to point you toward a dentist that will work with you.

Post courtesy of Dr. Malone, Lafayette Louisiana cosmetic dentist.

For more information about Cerec crowns, see our website.

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Can I get all this work done in one setting?

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

I’ve got a lot of dental work to get done. I have to get at least four root canal treatments, and I need to have a couple of teeth ground down as TMJ treatment. I also may need to have a dental bridge placed, though my dentist is still considering the best course of action in that case. I also need some dental bonding done on a chip on my front tooth. The problem is that I seriously freak out in the dentist’s chair.

I’d like to get this all done at once. I don’t have much time off of work, and I just want to get it over with. My question is, how much can be done in one sitting?

Frank from Escanaba

Dear Frank,

Time of treatment is determined by the patient’s ability to tolerate treatment. The placement of the teeth that need root canal treatments will affect the amount of time necessary for treatment.

The amount of treatment you need will probably require the services of a sedation dentist. This would have the added benefit of easing your anxiety. If you can’t locate a sedation dentist, or don’t want to go to one, then the length of treatment is largely decided on your ability to tolerate treatment. Your anxiety will probably lessen your ability to spend long hours in the chair, so consider this when you are deciding whether or not to go with a sedation dentist.

If you can’t locate a sedation dentist, you may want to consider going to an endodontist. A specialist will reduce the amount of time you need to spend in treatment.

This blog post created for Lafayette Louisiana cosmetic dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

T

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What if Novocain doesn’t work for me?

Sunday, October 31st, 2010

I have a problem. The numbing medications used by dentists simply do not work on me like they do on other people. Added to that, I have put off some pretty extensive dental work that needs to be done, and now the thought of having to go through that without adequate pain medication is literally keeping me up at night. Between my aching teeth and the idea of what I am going to have to go through to get them fixed, I am missing a lot of sleep.

I really think the only way I am going to be able to get this done is if I am out cold. Are there dentists out there that will knock you out to get extensive treatments done? I know oral surgeons can put you out for wisdom teeth removal and things like that, but I have never looked into what can be done if pain meds simply don’t work.

Lula in San Francisco

Dear Lula,

Yes, there definitely dentists out there that can help you. They are called sedation dentists, although you will sometimes hear them referred to as “sleep dentists” or their practices called “sleep dentistry”. This is not a technically correct term, as their patients are not actually sleeping.

Most of these dentists use what is called “conscious sedation”. This means that you are not fully unconscious for the procedure, though most people don’t remember anything about the treatment. Conscious sedation medication is usually administered through an oral pill, taken before the appointment. For this reason, if you are undergoing a procedure that involved oral sedation, you must have someone available to drive you to and from your appointment, and you probably will not be able to return to work that day.

We should mention, too, that sometimes the Novocain or other numbing medication is not as effective in patients who have a high level of anxiety. Many dentists have great success using nitrous oxide (also called NO or “laughing gas”) to help their patients relax, and then administering the numbing medication. The really great thing about that is that you don’t have to have someone drive you to and from the appointment. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off very quickly, and have no lingering effects that preclude driving or returning to work.

If you and your dentist talk through all the options and you are still not comfortable, then some dentists are trained to administer general anesthetic. Only you and your dentist can decide what level of intervention is necessary for you to get the treatment you need.

Good luck to you.

For information about porcelain veneers or dental implants, see our main website.

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