OK OK….. so what’s the real difference between having a procedure under sedation vs. local anesthesia?? Well, really it’s just a matter or preference. Yes, preference is the best way to choose.
As you know, local anesthesia is just to render a part of the body insensitive to pain, without losing consciousness. You will still be fully aware of what’s going on, with just the area being worked on subject to the Novocain injection. Going to sleep during a procedure is general anesthesia, also known as GA, and it involves the risk of death.There are really three different types of sedation. They are:
2. Oral Sedation (i. e. swallowing pills or a liquid)
3. IV Sedation (i. e. drugs administered into the blood-stream through a vein - that’s what “intravenous” stands for)
Here is just a small excerpt from dentalblogs.com
“One of the major benefits of sedation dentistry is that people often feel like their dental procedure lasts only a few minutes, when in fact it might have taken hours to perform. Therefore, complex dental procedures such as entire smile makeovers or extensive rebuilding procedures that normally require multiple visits can often be performed in fewer appointments.
If you are reluctant to change the appearance of your smile because you are afraid or anxious about undergoing long or complicated dental procedures, sedation dentistry can make you feel comfortable during the treatment process and help you achieve a smile you can be proud of.
Also, because sedation dentistry addresses some of the fears that keep people from going to the dentist on a regular basis, sedation dentistry patients are more likely to receive recommended routine care. As a result, they are less likely to neglect their oral health or allow oral health problems to build to the point when drastic dental treatments become necessary.”
Now that you know some facts, please make a decision that is best for you.
Happy May 2010 to all! I’m sorry I’ve been gone for a few weeks, but I recently hit the lotto, and went on a long vacation…. I’m just playing! Actually, it has been extremely busy at our office. I am not going to make this blog post the usual informative blog of times past, but I’d rather post up a testimonial that I received as a letter from one of our patients. I love the feeling of making my patients happy, and although I do receive these thank you letters occasionally, this one stood out to me, as it came from a new patient.
Dear Dr. Raskin,
My name is Junior. I was treated in your office not too long ago. I would just like to commend you on your office. I have been a patient at 3 other dental offices in my life, and never will I forget the great experience in your office. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted very courteously, and even took a cookie from Maria at the front. I waited for just a few mintues, and was escorted to the examination room, where I met the dental assistant. Her name is Jessica, and she even turned on the T.V. for me to watch. It did relax me alittle, as I was a bit nervous for Dr. Raskin to remove my old filling. The process was rather painless, as I was very greatful that you let me know that the novocain injection would just pinch a bit. That was really the only pain I felt. After you removed my old filling and put a new one in, I was surprised that I was actually relaxed right after. I appreciated that you were talking to me during the procedure, as I wasn’t even thinking about what was going on in my mouth. You guys took care of me, and made me feel comfortable, and this is an experience that is unusual for me in any medical office. On my way out, I spoke to Alvin and Maria once again, and they guided me through my follow up care instructions. I just want to you to know that I am very pleased by the way I was treated in your office. I will see you guys soon! Thanks!
Electric toothbrush or regular toothbrush? This may be a tough decision to come to, but it’s really just a matter of preference. The electric toothbrush may make things easier, but they don’t necessarily do a better job at cleaning your teeth than a regular toothbrush; but they may be a better choice for those needing assistance (ex: seniors, handicapped,or even some people with an uneven surface to brush), or for those that may want a more “fun” experience. Here are some tips for picking a toothbrush:
1. pick a toothbrush with a head that is small enough for you to move and maneuver easily to every angle in order for you to be able to reach all teeth
2. choose a toothbrush with soft bristles, as hard bristles can cause the gums to pull back, causing sensitivity problems
3. replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head about once every 1 to 3 months or when you see it beginning to look worn, as the worn down bristles will not do clean well
4. pick some nylon toothbrushes, and they are soft and last longer that the “natural” bristle options
LASTLY, when you make your choice on a toothbrush, please remember to brush AND floss everyday please!!
Never heard of TMJ? How about a TMJ disorder? For those of you who may not know what a TMJ disorder is, let’s being by defining what the TMJ is. TMJ refers to temporomandibular joints on either side of the jaw. The joint is formed by the lower jaw bone, mandible and upper jaw bone, temporal, which is part of the skull. Disorders of the TMJ can lead to headaches, neck, ear and jaw pain. This can be extremely painful!
Do you have any of these symptoms listed above? Why do you have this pain? Here can be a few possible reasons for the discomfort and pain you are experiencing from a TMJ disorder:
1. Jaw bone grinding which can come from the wear and tear of the cartilage
2. Regular clenching and grinding can put more pressure on the cartilage. In some instances, this can cause a dislocation of the joint.
3. Arthritis can cause inflammation and swelling of the TMJ, and this can lead to difficulty opening and closing the mouth.
The pain is not limited to these reasons alone, but if you feel you fall into this category, call our office to schedule an appointment. We will be more than happy to help you diagnose any pain or discomfort which may be similar to those listed above.
If you are stressed at work, please raise your hand…. ok, well since I can’t see you, just quietly answer. I often come across this problem too often in my office. I know that everyone goes through many situations daily, but I urge you all to try your best to live a happy and responsible lifestyle. This can go a long way to keeping your teeth happy as well.
The point that I am getting to is that if you lead a stressful lifestyle, you may be prone to “bruxing” while you are sleeping. First time hearing of this? Well, all it means is that you are grinding your teeth while you sleep, and this can lead to bigger problems for your teeth. You won’t even know that you are grinding while you are sleeping, nevertheless in REM sleep. So, your stress is passed on to your teeth. Grinding can leave it’s mark in many forms such as:
1. Your teeth can become extremely sensitive
2. Tooth wear, think of it as layers peeling off from friction
2. Pain in the muscles responsible for chewing
If you are experiencing stress in life, and have unusual pain in your teeth, please call up to schedule an appointment.
OK, so I figured I’d go back to basics with this blog post. I will probably post a class 101 blog every month or so. Flossing should be done by EVERYONE, not just adults and not just children. I cannot stress the importance of this very basic technique to prolong the life of healthy teeth and gums. I have heard all the excuses in the book for someone not flossing; from “I don’t do it corerctly”, to “My hands are too big”, to ”My gums are healthy”. No matter what the excuse is, I want you to floss!
The top 3 benefits of flossing include, but are not limited to :
1. less risk of gum disease
2. better breath
3. removes plaque from your teeth and gums that you cannot remove by brushing
“The American Dental Association advises to floss once or more per day before brushing your teeth; flossing prior to brushing allows for toothpaste to reach between the teeth. It should be noted that overly vigorous or incorrect flossing can result in gum tissue damage. For proper flossing, the Association advises to curve the floss against the side of the tooth in a ‘C’ shape, and then to wipe the tooth from under the gumline (very gently) to the tip two or three times, repeated on adjacent and subsequent teeth.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_floss)
Finally, I ask everyone to understand the importance on the longevity of your healthy teeth and gums that flossing brings. Any type of floss is good, just make it a habit. Plus, some great dental floss would make a great Valentine’s Day gift, with some chocolates and flowers of course!
On Saturday March 21, 2009 I had the pleasure to do dental exams on Army Reserve Soldiers getting ready to be deployed to Afghanistan. I saw 84 men and women, from all backgrounds, preparing to protect our country. I was honored to be involved, even in a small way in their service. I wish them all thanks for their commitment and honor they give us all.
Saturday January 10th I spent the day on a army reserve base in Shoreham NY. No I was not preparing to go to combat. I did not join the army but I was helping the reserve soldiers with dental exams to prepare them for combat. I meet many young and older soldiers that were all committed to protecting our country. They are from all areas, Connecticut , New Jersey and New York. It was a great experience for me. Being able to contribute to our country by helping our soldiers was the least I could do in these uneasy times. I would like to thank all of the men and woman who are protecting our country while we try to go on with our lives in a secure and safe environment.
