Sedation Options for Children

There are differing opinions about using sedation in children’s dental treatments. In our office, we believe that removing the fear and showing a child that a visit to the dentist is not a frightful and painful experience will help build a lifetime of proper oral care. We always use the minimal amount of sedation on all of our patients and, we would never go against a parent’s wishes regarding pediatric sedation.
Here are a few different kinds of sedation that we use in our office.

• Nitrous oxide- Commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide offers light sedation and an anesthetic effect. It comes to the patient mixed with oxygen via a mask which fits over the nose. Because patients inhale nitrous oxide, it is easy for our dentist to control. There are no long-lasting effects, and patients do not spend an extended period in a sleepy and groggy state because nitrous oxide wears off soon after the gas flow stops.

• Oral Sedation- This form of sedation gives patients a deeper level of relaxation than nitrous oxide. Our dentist gives patients a pill to calm any anxiety, before the dental procedure. The effects are longer lasting than nitrous oxide, and your child will wake up groggy. Because of the lasting effects of oral sedation, we recommend that your child go home to rest after the dental treatment and not return to school.

• Intravenous(IV) Sedation- Our dentist reserves this sedation for extended procedures or oral surgery, and it is highly unlikely that this would be the first choice in pediatric sedation. IV sedation enters the patient through a vein and has a longer lasting effect that other sedation methods. Because IV sedation typically accompanies complex dental treatments, your child should not return to school or engage in strenuous activities for 24-48 hours after the dental procedure.

There are some situations where pediatric sedation takes the angst out of a dental visit. For instance, if your child has high anxiety that a dental visit would intensify, a light sedative will temper the stress and allow for a positive experience. Also, if your child has cerebral palsy, autism, or Tourette’s syndrome, our East LA Dentist may suggest sedation.

If you have questions or concerns regarding pediatric sedation, do not hesitate to contact our office. Our staff is happy to get you the information you need.

How Dental Bonding Restores Teeth

A slightly damaged tooth might not seem serious enough to make a big difference to your smile, but it can affect your smile’s aesthetics and function. That chip can collect plaque and debris, and because it’s difficult to clean, the tooth will be more likely to decay. A little crack can absorb stains and create an unsightly situation. Dental bonding can prevent these issues and make your smile look new again.

Bonding is a versatile cosmetic and restorative procedure as well as one of the most affordable and minimally invasive treatment options that we offer. To perform bonding, we apply composite resin to the tooth to repair and restore it. The resin is cured in a way that creates a strong chemical bond with the dental enamel.

You might be a candidate for bonding if you have:

·        A chipped tooth

·        A small crack in your tooth

·        A gap between your teeth

·        A small cavity

·        Stains

·        Exposed tooth roots

·        A misshapen tooth

We can finish bonding a tooth in a single dental appointment. Once the bonding is complete, you can get the most out of it by caring for your restored tooth just like you care for your other teeth. Call our East LA dentist today to learn more about restoration options or to schedule an appointment.

What is Sleep Dentistry?

Sleep dentistry, also called sedation dentistry, is the practice of providing different types of sedatives during treatment to ease the experience. While anxious patients often benefit from the relaxing effects of sedation, others, such as patients with certain neurological disorders, benefit from the muscle relaxation it provides. Here is a look at the three major types of dental sedation.

Inhaled Sedation

This consists of a mixture of air and nitrous oxide, which patients inhale through a tube during treatment. The gas offers immediate relaxation and mild anesthesia, and wears off rapidly afterwards, allowing patients the ability to drive right away.

Oral Sedation

Stronger than inhaled sedation, this option entails giving patients a sedative pill to take before treatment starts. The effects do last long after treatment is finished, so a ride home is required.

IV Sedation

This is the heaviest sedation option and offers effects most similar to sleep. Administered into a vein, IV sedation comes in two levels: deep sedation, which is not quite sleep, and general anesthesia, from which patients cannot be awakened until the anesthesia is stopped. Like oral sedation, this requires patients to have a ride arranged for afterwards.

Most patients are eligible for sedation dentistry, but medical history and an exam may be necessary to confirm candidacy. Patients can contact our dentist in East LA to schedule a consultation and learn more about our sedation options.

Types of Sedation Dentistry

Modern dental sedation includes multiple options: inhaled sedation, oral sedation, and IV sedation. Different ones are appropriate for different procedures, and candidacy can vary between patients. Here are the options provided by our East Los Angeles dentist.

Inhaled Sedation

Also known as laughing gas, this involves the inhalation a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. Strong relaxation and mild analgesia starts quickly when the gas flow starts. These sensations will end soon after the gas flow is stopped, allowing patients to drive themselves home soon afterwards. This is the mildest sedation choice and is often used for less intensive procedures.

Oral Sedation

With this option, patients take an oral sedative pill shortly before their procedure begins. Effects typically include relaxation and drowsiness, and can last long after the procedure ends, so patients will need to arrange for a ride home. Oral sedation may be recommended for a variety of procedures.

IV Sedation

The deepest dental sedation is provided through the IV type, which starts quickly. It also requires a ride home afterwards. Because of its intensity, IV sedation is generally used for longer or more complex treatments.

Depending on the patient and the procedure, more than one type of sedation may be offered. Patients can schedule a consultation with our expert in sedation dentistry in East Los Angeles to find out more about our sedation options.

How Do Braces Behind Teeth Work?

Lingual braces are one of the oldest options for straightening the teeth discreetly. Although these braces do use metal brackets and wires, their placement behind the teeth prevents them from being seen. This option from our East Los Angeles dentist can be preferable to invisible braces for some patients.

Progressive Straightening

At the start of treatment, lingual braces are cemented to the backs of the teeth and threaded with wires, which are then tightened. Patients have their wires tightened again at regular intervals until their new smile is finished. The amount of time this process takes can vary, but most patients finish in one to two years.

How Discreet Are Lingual Braces?

The discretion of these braces can differ between the top and bottom teeth. Because the top teeth are bigger, they normally hide the braces completely. Lingual braces on the bottom teeth, however, may be visible from certain angles when patients open their mouth.

Lingual braces can be used by children and can correct certain issues that invisible braces cannot, so their candidacy requirements are more open. An exam is still required to verify candidacy for braces behind teeth, which may not be an option for patients who have very small teeth or an extensive over- or underbite. Patients can schedule a consultation with our dentist to learn more about this treatment.

Purpose of Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is the placement of a specially tinted cement on the teeth in order to repair damage and conceal flaws. With a variety of applications, bonding is commonly used in both restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Here is a look at its main purposes.

Cosmetic Purposes

In cosmetic dentistry, our East Los Angeles dentist may apply bonding to hide cracks, chips and stains, as well as to reshape teeth and eliminate gaps. Bonding can be particularly valuable when stains are internal or too heavy for teeth whitening to work. As it is fast and inexpensive, bonding can even be used as an alternative to veneers and crowns in some cases.

Restorative Purposes

For restorative purposes, bonding can be used to repair teeth in several situations. When teeth have been broken, bonding will prevent erosion from occurring at newly vulnerable sites. Tooth roots uncovered by receding gums can be bonded to guard against decay and sensitivity. As an alternative to metal fillings, bonding can also be used to create tooth-colored fillings.

Bonding often lasts for about three years with proper care, including daily brushing and flossing and regular checkups. If bonding becomes discolored over time, it can be replaced by our expert in dental bonding in East Los Angeles. At a consultation with our dentist, patients can learn more about the purposes for which bonding is used.