Sedation Dentistry
Many people are afraid or uncomfortable going to the dentist. Sedation dentistry offers pain-free and anxiety-free dental procedures for patients who fear dental procedures, fear needles, have difficulty with their gag reflex, have very sensitive teeth or have difficulty becoming numb from oral injections. It also provides an opportunity to perform multiple or lengthy dental procedures in a single session.
Sedation dentistry requires that the patient take a prescribed medication about one hour before the scheduled visit. The patient will arrive at the dentist in a deeply relaxed state, though fully responsive. During the procedure, patients aren’t unconscious, but mentally “detached” from what’s going on. The sedative usually lasts about six hours and the patient will need a ride to and from the dental appointment.
Other types of conscious sedation include inhalation and intravenous sedation. Inhalation sedation (nitrous oxide oxygen, otherwise known as laughing gas) is the most common sedation technique. Patients recover more quickly and may leave the dental office alone and immediately resume normal activities. Intravenous conscious sedation is also a safe sedation technique. Patients will not remember any of the procedure and will feel as though they were asleep, even though they were wide-awake throughout. Intravenous sedation requires the patient be monitored for blood pressure, breathing and heart rate. Patients may only leave the office with an escort.
If you fear dental procedures, then sedation dentistry may be the no-pain, low-anxiety dental alternative you desire.
Laser Dentistry
Gentle Dental Care is pleased to feature the revolutionary, innovative, revolutionary PowerLase® system, one of the truly important recent advances in modern dentistry. Our dental laser uses laser-energized water to accomplish the work of traditional drills, virtually eliminating the pain and discomfort that were associated with dentistry in the past. Indeed, this technology allows Dr. Peltzer to perform an extensive range of procedures with incredible accuracy and speed while the patient simply sits back in the dental chair and relaxes.
The extreme precision of our dental laser allows our dentists to treat selected areas of the mouth without affecting any of the surrounding tissue. Patients thus retain more of their healthy tooth structure ensuring longer-lasting dental health. The PowerLase® system can also seal off nerve endings and blood vessels during treatment leading to less bleeding and diminished discomfort and swelling following dental treatment. Our dental laser is versatile and can be used to treat hard-tissue such as tooth enamel (the hardest substance in the body) and soft-tissue such as the gums.
We often use The PowerLase® system for:
- Root canals
- Removal of tooth decay
- Preparing cavities for fillings
- Smile restoration
- Periodontics and other soft tissue treatment
- Treating dentin and enamel
The laser produces no heat or vibration and is extremely quiet, particularly when compared to the whine of the traditional drill. This extraordinarily gentle device even allows Dr. Peltzer to perform many treatments without anesthetic. Truly, our dental laser is ideal for any patient who has avoided scheduling dental appointments due to fear of the dreaded drill.
Contact Gentle Dental Care today to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive oral evaluation or to find out if our extraordinary dental laser can be used in your next dental procedure.
Invisalign
Few patients want to endure years of wearing metal braces. Now you don’t have to! One of the most popular, new orthodontic treatments available is Invisalign, an alternative to metal braces.
Invisalign uses a series of clear, almost invisible, removable aligners to straighten teeth. These unique, custom-made aligners move teeth in a series of very precise increments. The course of treatment, averaging only a year, involves changing aligners approximately every two weeks. And unlike braces, these clear aligners can be removed while you eat and brush your teeth as usual.
Porcelain Veneers
Do you have discolored or crooked teeth, teeth with spaces between them or teeth stained by fillings? You can change the shape, color and length of your teeth using veneers. Veneers are thin, durable shells designed to cover the front of the tooth. They are typically made of porcelain and are extremely durable, stain resistant, natural-looking and easy to maintain.
Veneers are custom-fitted to your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel and bonding the veneer to your teeth using a safe, high tech polymer resin. You can expect veneers to stay bright and strong for many years by performing good oral hygiene.
Cosmetic Bonding
If you have teeth that have stains that cannot be removed by bleaching, and veneers or crowns are not necessary, then cosmetic bonding might be a good option for you. Cosmetic bonding is an affordable, quick and painless way to repair many cosmetic flaws or injuries, including:
- Gaps in teeth
- Spots or stains
- Chipped teeth
Dental bonding sculpts individual teeth without requiring removal of any tooth structure. This technique bonds a composite material that looks, acts and feels like the real thing, to an existing tooth. This procedure usually doesn’t require the use of an anesthetic; is relatively quick to apply; gives an immediate result and is less expensive than veneers.
White Composite Fillings
Until recently, dentists used a silver and mercury amalgam to fill and seal cavities. Because a larger amount of the original tooth must be removed, these types of fillings often weaken teeth. Recent innovations now allow us to replace old silver fillings with composite or porcelain fillings that are stronger, safer and more natural looking. Say goodbye to “metal mouth” and hello to a beautiful new smile.
Crowns
Teeth are often restored using silver or composite plastic fillings. However, when too much of a tooth’s structure is removed to support a filling, a crown or “cap” may be needed. A crown may be needed to:
- Restore a tooth when it is unable to support a large filling
- Attach bridges
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing or restore fractured teeth
- Cover badly shaped or discolored teeth
- Cover dental implants
A crown essentially covers a tooth to restore it to its natural shape and size. This permanent covering fits over your original tooth to strengthen or improve the appearance of the tooth. Fitting a crown generally requires at least two visits to the dentist’s office.
Inlays and Onlays
When more than a third of a tooth’s biting surface is damaged, a dentist will often use an inlay or onlay. Large fillings on back teeth often require a stronger and properly contoured restoration, such as porcelain inlays or onlays. They are created at an off-site dental lab and are bonded into place using a strong resin. Inlays and onlays protect teeth similarly as crowns, but conserve more natural tooth structure and are a better match to your tooth’s natural color.
Bridges
Healthy and strong teeth support and maintain your jaw alignment. That is why when you lose one or more teeth, your remaining teeth may shift, and the ability to chew and speak may be affected. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, eliminating the gap where those teeth had been. The bridge is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support. Regardless of the type of bridge recommended, its success depends on keeping the surrounding teeth healthy and strong.
Dentures
Missing teeth can create a host of aesthetic and functional problems including sagging facial muscles, inability to eat certain foods and speak. Dentures may be your best solution if you’ve lost all your natural teeth due to periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury.
Fitting a patient for dentures does not have to be a traumatic experience. During the preliminary visit, the remaining teeth are removed and a model is made of the patient’s jaw. An immediate denture may be fitted so the patient does not have to be without teeth while the mouth tissue heals. Once the mouth tissue is completely healed, the patient is fitted with their custom dentures.
Implants
When you lose a tooth, a dental implant may be needed to replace the tooth root and crown. Dental implants are simply “anchors” that permanently support replacement teeth. They are secure and durable and can be cleaned and cared for much like your natural teeth.
The procedure requires a titanium root be fitted into your jaw to replace the lost tooth’s root. Once the implant is anchored into the bone, the bone around the implant requires six weeks to six months of healing. Once the bone has healed, a support post and replacement tooth is anchored onto the implant.
Especially for Children
Our dentist is comfortable with all phases of children’s dental care, including cleanings, fillings, fluoride treatments, sealants and more. The first visit to the dental office is important. Because the attitudes of the parents are often conveyed to the child, we want to prepare both of you for this experience. We recommend short appointments, and children are usually their best in the morning. Generally, it is best if a light breakfast is given. It is sometimes advantageous to do little or no treatment on the first visit. Simply getting acquainted, doing an examination, and possibly a cleaning with fluoride treatment is enough.