Information for Patients
We strive to provide all our patients, both old and new. with answers to their ever question.
We want you to feel at home and completely comfortable with the procedures and the staff.
Questions & Answers
Why Receive Care From A Prosthodontist?
Privacy
Questions & Answers
How does IV sedation feel like? Will I be asleep?
It may, indeed, feel like you were "asleep" during the procedure because
of two factors: first, in most people, IV sedation induces a state of deep
relaxation and you are not bothered by what's going on. Second, the drugs
used for IV sedation will produce memory loss (amnesia) for the period of
time when the drug first kicks in until it wears off (usually during the ride home).
As a result, time will appear to pass very quickly and you will recall little
(usually none) of your procedure. Although most patients fall asleep during
IV sedation, if needed, you will be able to understand and respond to requests from the doctor.
What are the main advantages of IV sedation?
The drugs enter your system and take effect very quickly, and drug dosage and level of sedation are presicsly adjusted to meet your individual needs. This is a huge advantage compared to oral sedation, where the effects can be very unreliable. IV sedation, on the other hand, is both highly effective and higly reliable.
• IV sedation is the method of choice if you don't want to be aware of the procedure - you "don't want to know".
• The maximum level of sedation which is reached with IV is deeper than with oral or inhalation sedation.
• The gag reflex is hugely diminished - people receiving IV sedation rarely experience difficulty with gagging.
• IV sedation is ideal for those with a phobia of dental injections, noises, and smells.
Why Receive Care From A Prosthodontist?
According to the Journal of the American Dental Association , the prosthodontic dental specialty is one of the oldest, established in 1947. It is responsible for diagnosis, rehabilitation and maintenance of patients with complex clinical conditions involving missing or deficient teeth, craniofacial tissues or both, and for providing treatment via the use of biocompatible substitutes such as implants. The essence of the specialty, however, is expert treatment planning*. The members of this specialty have pioneered many of the techniques now used in practice, focusing on materials that are compatible in the mouth as well as esthetically pleasing. They look toward the future, evaluating new dental materials first. Most importantly, they recognize the value of a multi-disciplinary approach to care and don't hesitate to conference first with other dental specialists to develop the optimal plan for care.
Prosthodontists receive an additional three years of training after dental school. As such, they understand the importance of technique and biocompatibility when using dental materials. They perform dental implants daily, rather than monthly, and select implant construction specifically suited for the biting load it must endure. They also rise to the challenge of using man-made materials to accurately mimic natural teeth. That explains why some people have easily-recognized crowns and dentures completed by dentists, while others have natural-looking crowns and dentures created by prosthodontists that closely resemble a youthful smile.
What Should Be Expected on my First Visit?
At your first visit, we examine your teeth and discuss the options that you have available, for meeting your needs. You should expect to spend 20 minutes in conversation with the dental team, asking and answering questions, and seeing pictures or models of related procedures that have been done in the past. You will also discuss, and receive paperwork, for financial options and an estimate for the work that is needed. Sometimes, it is necessary to take X-rays, measurements, and/or molds of your teeth to make good judgments. If you approve of the plan, appointments are scheduled.
Privacy Policy
In accordance with the Health Information Privacy and Accountability Act of 1997, this office uses coded information, rather than patient names, when handling personal documents. This ensures that privileged information about patients' health status and dental treatment is confined to use on an as-needed basis.
