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Sedation Dentistry - Who is an ideal candidate for this dental care option?

July 14, 2009 @ 02:45 AM — by unknown
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More than 20 percent of the population has to deal with dentophobia. This condition can stress out even the most stalwart of people. But what is dentophobia? Dentophobia is a fear of going to the dentist. Most young children have no fear of going to the dentist. They love to get their teeth counted and to have the hygienist “tickle” their teeth with the dental tooth brush. It is, however, only as we get older and get cavities that we come to discover how painful a visit to the dentist can be. This is when a fear of going to the dentist comes in. Some people are so scared of going to the dentist that they avoid making an appointment, even when they desperately need to, and wind up having rotten teeth because of it. There is, however, a way to visit the dentist without having to be scared. Sedation dentistry is one of the newest and most popular methods to hit the dental world recently. Sedation dentistry is much like what it sounds to be--a sleepy visit to the dentist where you remember nothing of what is going on and are totally relaxed. It used to be that the only way that you could get sedation dentistry was to have an IV inserted under your skin, administering a drug that would put you out as the dentist worked on your teeth. This was a risky procedure and was only used during large dental procedures, such as root canals and wisdom tooth extractions. Now, however, thanks to many people having a fear of going to the dentist, sedation dentistry has become more popular and much more safe. Now people can visit the dentist and take a pill or two in order to be relaxed, calm, and often fall asleep, allowing the dentist to do their work without you feeling any of the effects of it. Anyone who is afraid of the dentist and who is an adult is a good candidate for sedation dentistry, but it is a good idea to divulge all of your medical history, including any current medications you are on, in order to ensure that you do not have a reaction from mixing medications. For more information on sedation dentistry as well as porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, dental implants, smile makeover options, teeth whitening and bleaching, and more, it is important to visit a skilled cosmetic dentist serving Houston and Harris County.

Are You a Good Candidate for In-Office Teeth Whitening?

July 14, 2009 @ 02:36 AM — by unknown
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Like many other people you may desire your teeth to be brighter and whiter. In-office teeth whiting may be the right dental procedure to help bring life back to your smile. Numerous people undergo teeth whitening each year to remove the stains from everyday products such as coffee, tea, red wine, and cigarettes. In-office teeth whitening can bring an instantly renewed smile in one visit to the dentist.

In-Office Teeth Whitening Procedure

When you visit your dental professional for an in-office tooth bleaching and teeth whitening it will usually begin with a minor teeth cleaning and plaque removal. Following the preparation of your teeth the dentist will apply a peroxide based gel to your teeth. This peroxide based gel is a stronger formula than those that can be purchased over the counter. The professional strength of this peroxide based gel is one of the reasons that in-office tooth whitening is so effective. After the gel has been applied to your teeth a laser light is used to activate the gel. In total the process typically takes an hour. In-office teeth whitening results can vary but teeth can be lightened up to 10 shades.

In-Office Teeth Whitening Candidates

If you are looking to remove stains from your teeth and enhance your smile in-office teeth whitening is most likely something you can consider. Most people are able to have in-office teeth whitening performed even those people with sensitive teeth and gums. In fact, those people with sensitivity issues that desire teeth whitening should do so under the supervision of a dentist. In-office teeth whitening candidates should have realistic expectations. Results cannot be predicted and do vary from patient to patient. Ideal candidates should also consider that the results are not permanent. Over time the results will fade especially with the use of products like coffee, tea, and red wine. To learn more about teeth whitening as well porcelain veneers, dental implants, sedation dentistry options, and other dental care treatments, it is important to meet with a skilled cosmetic dentist serving Houston and Harris County.