Posted on

Sedation Dentistry

An Introduction to Sedation Dentistry

According to the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, 30 percent of the population avoids visiting the dentist due to fear.  A condition known as “dental phobia,” this all-too-common fear prevents people from receiving necessary, routine dental care, potentially compromising their oral health.
The good news is that more and more people are now able to receive necessary dental care thanks to sedation dentistry. Sedation is a process administered by a trained dentist to establish a calm, relaxed state through the use of sedatives, enabling fearful patients to follow through with their dental procedures and maintain better oral health as a result.

Dentistry

Types of Sedation

Sedatives can be administered by a trained dental professional in a variety of ways. These include:
Oral sedatives
Oral sedation is a popular method used to establish relaxation. A sedative pill is taken by the mouth and requires no needles, which makes this method easy to administer.  Oral sedatives create a comfortable, relaxed experience for patients—helping them reach a sleep-like state—while allowing them to maintain a level of consciousness for safety and cooperation.
Inhalation sedatives
Also known as nitrous oxide sedation, inhalation sedation is one of the most widely used dental sedation techniques. Nitrous oxide is administered through a mask, and as the patient inhales the sedative, it causes a euphoric effect, which calms and relaxes the patient within moments. This method is often considered the safest option for light to mild sedation and short, routine dental procedures.
IV sedatives
IV (intravenous) sedation is delivered via injection to sedate a fearful patient. It is the most powerful method of conscious sedation for management of more severe levels of dental anxiety or lengthier, extensive dental procedures. The sedatives are administered directly into the bloodstream, producing deep relaxation and pain relief.
General anesthesia
For lengthy and invasive procedures, such as oral surgeries, general anesthesia may be necessary to provide a deeper level of sedation for the patient.  When a patient is given general anesthesia they are completely unconscious throughout the entire procedure.  Because the patient is unresponsive and requires breathing assistance, a highly trained anesthesiologist or oral surgeon can only administer general anesthesia.

Are You a Candidate for Sedation?

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for sedation dentistry. People who benefit the most from dental sedatives include those with an intense fear of dental procedures, have severe gag reflex, suffer from physical limitations or have trouble becoming fully numb following the administration of local anesthetics.  If you suffer from severe dental anxiety, don’t put off required dental care any longer. Talk to your San Jose dentist about safe, comfortable and relaxing sedation dentistry.
Posted on

When You Should Visit a Pediatric Dentist

South San Jose—Although dental care—brushing teeth, flossing, rinsing with mouthwash, and remembering to make regular visits to the dentist—is something that many adults find themselves worrying about on a frequent basis, but if you pay attention to national statistics, it appears it’s something that children should be mindful of as well. Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease, according to The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).
health
But children can possibly be expected to oversee and manage every facet of their own dental hygiene. For one, most children are too preoccupied with more important things, like playing. Even if they weren’t, children are too small to even know what a dentist is by around the time most professional organizations recommend they first see one: an ideal first visit to a dentist should happen is around their first birthday.
What You Can Get from Your Child’s First Dental Visit
While a pediatric dentist will perform an examination of your child’s teeth, this first dental visit isn’t simply a routine oral check up. At this visit, you’ll also gain valuable information about how to care for your child’s teeth. Children possess some habits that are infamous for negatively impacting teeth health, like finger- and thumb-sucking. Your pediatric dentist can help you combat these habits, as well as help you plan your child’s diet. There are many foods that directly improve or reduce overall tooth health.
Planning for your child’s future shouldn’t be left until later, and that future includes excellent dental care. Schedule your baby’s first dental appointment at The Dental Dimensions today!
To learn more about pediatric dentistry in the South San Jose area, call (408) 225-6815.
Posted on

Dental Implants Can Save Your Jawbone

When it comes time to visit The Dental Dimensions in South San Jose to replace your badly damaged or missing teeth with new ones, you’ll have several options, including dental implants, bridges or dentures. While all three options are great ones, if you want the option that will provide the most durability, dependability, and trustworthiness, dental implants are the best choice.

implants1

Dental implants offer many benefits worth considering. They are durable, life-like and resilient. They are easy to clean and they allow you to eat just as you would with your own natural teeth. One important benefit many people don’t realize, however, is that dental implants can also help save your jaw! Here’s how.

1. Dental Implants Preserve the Shape of Your Jaw

Your jaw doesn’t just support your teeth; your teeth also help support and stabilize your jaw as well. When you are missing a tooth, your remaining teeth may begin shifting. This shifting can result in a misshapen jaw and an unnatural face shape. Dental implants from The Dental Dimensions in South San Jose work to prevent this.

2. Dental Implants Help Prevent Your Jawbone From Shrinking

Not only is your jaw likely to change shape without teeth, but it is likely to shrink over time as well. This results in a sunken mouth and face shape that makes you appear years or even decades older than you actually are. Dental implants save your jaw from shrinking.

3. Dental Implants Prevent Your Jaw from Weakening

Lastly, without teeth, your jaw bone will naturally start to weaken over time. Dentures and bridges may help you eat your favorite foods again, but they won’t keep your jaw strong and healthy. Only dental implants can do that.

Whether you are missing one tooth or several, your appearance and your ability to eat your favorite foods aren’t the only things you need to take into consideration. You need to consider your jaw health as well. Thankfully, dental implants from The Dental Dimensions in South San Jose are the perfect way to get both the appearance and the functionality you want with the jaw health you need. Call and set up an appointment today!

Posted on

Why Sugary Drinks Are Bad For Your Child’s Smile

Most people know how sugary drinks can be bad for your waistline. But some don’t think about how sugary drinks can affect your overall oral health. With many of today’s drinks containing excessive amounts of sugar, it may be time for our San Jose patients to start thinking about what that sugar is doing to our teeth.

teeth

Soft Drinks

The acidic nature of soft drinks can destroy a child’s tooth enamel, making teeth more prone to decay. When the high levels of sugar found in those syrupy soft drinks comes into contact with weakened tooth enamel, cavities may be inevitable. A serving of soda may contain as much as 10-12 teaspoons of sugar. You probably wouldn’t eat 10 straight teaspoons of sugar in one sitting, so you may want to think about ways to avoid drinking the same amount.

Fruit Juices

Many people assume that fruit juice is healthy and children especially love juice. But acidic juices can wear on enamel just as quickly as sodas. The high sugar content in juices like orange juice combined with the enamel-eroding acidity create a perfect breeding ground for tooth decay. For children who love their juices, your south San Jose pediatric dentistry can help your child maintain a healthy smile.

Children’s teeth are especially sensitive to the acidity and sugar combination. If your family drinks soda or fruit juices, make sure to brush your teeth immediately afterward. It’s also important to eat a meal when drinking a sugary drink. Eating will help produce more saliva which will help to break down the acid and sugar. Using a straw in a sugary drink may also help to keep the beverage away from the teeth.

It’s also important to make sure your child sees a pediatric dentist for regularly scheduled visits to keep their teeth clean and problem-free. The Dental Dimensions offers pediatric dentistry in San Jose, CA. Your pediatric dentist can offer additional advice on caring for your child’s teeth to make sure those occasional sodas or juices don’t cause lasting, permanent damage.

Posted on

What Are Telescopic Loupes?

During your last dental exam at The Dental Dimensions in South San Jose, you may have noticed your dentist wearing a funny little set of glasses during your dental procedure. These special glasses are known as telescopic loupes, and they are an important piece of equipment many dentists use all of the time.

What Are Telescopic Loupes?

Telescopic loupes are a special set of glasses that dentists wear to help them better perform their job. They typically look like a regular set of glasses with two small microscopes attached to the front lenses. Your doctor may also own a pair that features just the microscope without the eyeglass lens.

Why Do Dentists Wear Telescopic Loupes?

Telescopic loupes do exactly what they look like they would do; they magnify whatever your dentist at The Dental Dimensions in South San Jose is looking at so he or she can see better. These special glasses aren’t just for people with poor eyesight, however. They are designed to help all dentists see the miniscule details of your mouth in order to better diagnose and treat any underlying conditions you may have.

Dentists most typically use telescopic loupes to see the small signs that indicate gingivitis or to spot the beginnings of a brand new cavity that is starting to form, but these special glasses can be used to help dentists spot a number of different conditions.

While the latest advances in dental technology have produced some pretty remarkable machines, sometimes the best tools are some of the simplest of all. Telescopic loupes help dentists do their job effectively, efficiently and accurately in order to provide you with the best care possible.

If you’re ready for truly professional care, call your dentist at The Dental Dimensions in South San Jose and schedule an appointment today.

Posted on

Why You Should Consider a Pediatric Dentist for Your Child

Pediatric dentists can help your child establish good dental health before they can even talk.

Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children celebrate their first birthday not just with a cake, but a visit to a pediatric dentist? Yes, even at this young age, it is important to start a healthy oral care routine. The pediatric dentists at Dental Dimensions in South San Jose, CA – Dr. Deepak Shetty, Dr. Kavita Bhatia and Dr. May Yoneyama – offer some further explanation on why parents should seek out specialized dental care for their children.

kids

Distinct differences

Children have vastly different dental needs than adults. For example, their teeth tend to develop specific forms of tooth decay, often at a much quicker rate than adults because of the vulnerability of the enamel. The way their baby teeth grow in can also be an indicator of whether or not they will need orthodontic treatment later. While all South San Jose dentists possess basic knowledge about the growth and development of teeth, only pediatric dentists like Dr. Shetty, Dr. Bhatia and Dr. Yoneyama have extensive training in diagnosing and treating children’s dental conditions.

Understanding and compassionate

Young children are likely to be at least a little nervous about visiting the dentist, even for routine checkups. Your South San Jose pediatric dentists not only have training in diagnosing childhood dental conditions; they also understand how to respond to a child’s concerns about being in the dental chair. First and foremost, Dr. Shetty, Dr. Bhatia and Dr. Yoneyama are gentle and sympathetic to their young patients’ emotional needs.

If your child has reached the age where they need to visit a dentist, we encourage you to contact us at Dental Dimensions in South San Jose, CA. Our pediatric dentists provide the care and education that is needed to help your child maintain good dental health for a lifetime!

Posted on

Signs You May Need a Root Canal

Severe tooth pain is usually caused by some type of infection inside of the tooth. Root canals allow a dentist to eliminate the infection and rehabilitate the tooth so that it will stay firmly rooted. The American Association of Endodontists estimates that dentists perform over 15 million root canals every year and over 41,000 every day, so it is a very common procedure. Here are a few signs that you may need to talk a dentist at The Dental Dimensions in South San Jose, CA about a root canal.

Canal1
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental therapy that provides relief from tooth infections and abscesses. It’s a treatment that prevents tooth loss and also protects your general health. Problems with the teeth go beyond just pain—if a serious infection isn’t treated and is allowed to progress, it can cause issues with a patient’s general health over time. It’s important to see your South San Jose dentist at the first sign of a potential problem.

Signs You Need Treatment
The first clear sign that you need treatment for a root canal is severe aching pain in the mouth that doesn’t go away, but there are a few other symptoms to be aware of:

  • Very bad breath that doesn’t go away with brushing, mouthwashes or breath mints.
  • A tooth that feels loose, moveable or painful and very sensitive to the touch.
  • You find yourself eating on one side of the mouth all of the time.
  • Redness or inflammation near the site of tooth pain.

Benefits of Root Canals
Root canal therapy is a useful treatment for a number of reasons. Here are a few benefits to keep in mind in advance of your consultation with your South San Jose dentist:

  • Because you keep the tooth and have it filled to protect it from further damage, it has a better chance of staying rooted for a lifetime.
  • You can avoid the time and expense of having to get a partial denture, bridge or a dental implant.
  • After a root canal, a permanent crown is placed which makes the tooth look brand new.

Call for an Evaluation
If you’re experiencing symptoms that may call for root canal therapy, a dentist at The Dental Dimensions in South San Jose, CA can help. Call the office at (408) 225-6815 to learn more about root canals and how this treatment can help restore your dental health.

Posted on

Caring For Your Child’s Smile

Just as young people learn their ABCs at a young age, they also learn dental care habits very early in life. It’s estimated that 42 percent of children ages 2-11 have had dental caries (cavities) and that is often because of eating too much candy, poor brushing habits and not enough visits to the dentist. The staff at The Dental Dimensions in South San Jose, CA specializes in pediatric dentistry and can help you care for your child’s smile to avoid future dental problems.

children

Pediatric Dentistry
The branch of dental science that specifically deals with children under the age of 18 is called pediatric dentistry. It deals with everything from caring for the mouth when babies are teething to helping young teens straighten their smiles with braces. The goal of pediatric dentistry is to prevent dental problems in children, resolve existing issues and also to teach young people how to develop and maintain good dental habits throughout their lives.

Caring for Your Child’s Smile
The earlier a child learns how to care for his or her smile, the better for the child’s future dental health. Here are a few important tips for how to best care for your child’s smile:

  • Brush your teeth with the child in the morning and at night—children learn most reliably by doing and by watching you.
  • Teach children the importance of flossing and how to do it properly.
  • Avoid sharing spoons with children as this can pass bad bacteria to their mouths.
  • Wean young children off of pacifiers as soon as possible.
  • Feed children a healthy diet that’s rich in calcium, phosphorus, protein, fruits, vegetables and water.

Protecting Your Child’s Teeth
One of the most important ways that you can care for your child’s smile is to keep up with regular dental cleaning appointments. The pediatric dentistry staff at The Dental Dimensions in South San Jose will help make every visit as pleasant an experience as possible. If your child is prone to cavities, talk to your dentist about dental sealants.

Good Dental Care Starts Young
The best way to help your child maintain good-looking, healthy teeth and gums is to get him or her familiar with the family dentist. Call The Dental Dimensions in South San Jose, CA, an office that specializes in pediatric dentistry, at (408) 225-6815 to request an appointment today.

Posted on

Keep Your Smile Full And Your Mouth Healthy

The health and cosmetic appearance of our teeth play a key role in how people perceive us, and how confident we ultimately feel when interacting with others in social, professional and personal relationships. Studies have found that the state of their teeth is the most common feature that most people would change if given the chance. But despite the improvements in cosmetic dentistry and technology, millions of Americans are currently living with some degree of tooth loss, which poses a problem to quality of life, as well as oral and general health.

Implant

Dental Implants in South San Jose

The dentists at South San Jose, CA-based The Dental Dimensions offer the most advanced tooth replacement solution with dental implants. Unlike other treatments that mainly address the cosmetic aspects of tooth loss, implants also replace the root of a missing tooth, which permanently anchors a cosmetic crown or set of dentures in place, while also preserving the bone tissue in the gums.

Oral bone tissue begins to erode the moment a tooth is lost and can lead to long-term oral and general health problems like bacterial infections and inflammation. Bone loss can also affect the stability of the remaining teeth. An implant is made of a small, biocompatible screw that replaces the root. Once in place, it fuses with the surrounding bone tissue in the jaw. Once it has healed, the cosmetic crown is attached, forming a permanent and cosmetically natural-looking replacement tooth. Implants can replace just a few or an entire set of missing teeth.

Dental implants are a good option for healthy adults with enough bone density in the gums and who can commit to a meticulous oral hygiene routine at home and regular follow-up appointments.

Find a Dentist in South San Jose

Dental implants are the next best thing to a natural tooth. For more information on how implants can restore your smile and improve your oral health, contact the Dental Dimensions by calling (408) 225-6815 to schedule an appointment with a dentist in South San Jose, CA today.

A few of the papers that are used in universities are highly detailed and they will professional essay writing service also utilize particular language.

Posted on

Let Invisalign Straighten Your Smile

Do you want to straighten your smile? Dr. Deepak Shetty and Dr. Kavita Bhatia at The Dental Dimensions in San Jose, CA offers orthodontic treatment with Invisalign for a straighter smile. Here are the top reasons to consider invisalign.

invisible braces

Correct Dental Issues

Invisalign effectively corrects a variety of dental problems, including: an overbite, underbite, crossbite, protruding teeth, gapped teeth, overcrowded teeth and crooked teeth. Invisalign gradually moves your teeth using a series of virtually invisible aligners.

Improve Oral Health

Invisalign will improve your oral health. The removable Invisalign aligners make it easy to floss and brush your teeth to maintain proper oral hygiene. Traditional braces make cleaning teeth difficult because food particles and plaque can adhere to the brackets and teeth.

Avoid Embarrassment

Are you too embarrassed to wear traditional metal braces? Traditional metal braces are the most noticeable type. You can achieve straighten your smile without a mouthful of metal archwires and brackets. The Invisalign system is the virtually invisible way to improve your smile.

Comfortable to Wear

Invisalign aligners are smooth and comfortable to wear. While traditional braces are effective in repositioning the teeth, metal brackets and wires can be uncomfortable to wear, pressing against your teeth and irritating your gums.

If you want to correct your smile with Invisalign, call The Dental Dimensions in San Jose, CA at (408) 225-6815 today to schedule your consultation. If you want the perfect smile, the Invisalign system is the clear path forward.