Sedation Dentistry in Garden City
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Several methods of anesthesia are available. The method of anesthesia
that is chosen for or by a patient depends upon the nature of the surgical
procedure and the patient’s level of apprehension. Dr. Roksar works with
board certified anesthesiologist (medical doctor, MD) for
any I.V. Sedation or anesthesia.
The following table illustrates the choices of anesthesia, a description of
the anesthetic technique, and the usual indications for that technique.
When it comes to anesthesia, our first priority is the patient’s comfort and safety. If you have any concerns regarding the type of anesthesia that will be administered during your procedure, please do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with your doctor at the time of your consultation.
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Intravenous Sedation (“Twilight Sedation”)
Intravenous Sedation or Dental Intravenous Anesthesia or to some it is referred to as “Twilight Sedation” for their dental treatment. Intravenous Sedation or “twilight sleep” helps you to be comfortable and calm when undergoing dental procedures. Your treatment can be completed under intravenous sedation. Intravenous sedation or “IV sedation” (twilight sedation) is designed to better enable you to undergo your dental procedures while you are very relaxed; it will enable you to tolerate as well as not remember those procedures that may be very uncomfortable for you. IV sedation will essentially help alleviate the anxiety associated with your treatment. You may not always be asleep, but you will be comfortable, calm and relaxed, drifting in and out of sleep – a “twilight sleep.”
If you choose the option of intravenous sedation, your IV sedation/anesthesia is administered and monitored by the anesthesiologist, therefore eliminating the costly expense of having your treatment carried out in an operating room or same day surgical facility. Please make sure that you have someone to drive you back home after an IV Sedation procedure.
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How is the IV Sedation Administered?
A thin needle will be introduced into a vein in your arm or hand. The needle will be attached to an intravenous tube through which medication will be given to help you relax and feel comfortable. At times, a patient’s vein may not be maintainable, in these situations the medications will be administered and the needle retrieved – both scenarios will achieve the same desired level of conscious sedation. Once again, some patients may be asleep while others will slip in and out of sleep. Some patients with medical conditions and/or on specific drug regimens may only be lightly sedated and may not sleep at all.
The goal of IV sedation is to use as little medication as possible to get the treatment completed. It is very safe, much safer than oral sedation. With IV sedation a constant “drip” is maintained via the intravenous tube. At any time, an antidote can be administered to reverse the effects of the medications if necessary. Along with IV sedation, there are also other different “levels” of sedation available to you in our office. There is nitrous oxide analgesia.
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Sedation Dentistry for the Elderly
As we age, our oral health becomes more important than ever. Periodontal disease can lead to bone and tooth loss, which affects nearly every part of our daily lives. To lead full and active lives, we need our teeth and gums. They allow us to enjoy food, support speech and good conversation, and facilitate digestion. Your Oral Surgeon is dedicated to treating elderly patients with care and commitment to comfort and health.
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Elderly patients as a group tend to avoid dental visits for a variety of reasons, including: more pressing medical concerns, anxiety about treatment, the hardship of transportation, or fixed incomes. Once their oral health has reached an unmanageable point, fear and embarrassment further keep these patients away from the dentist.
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For elderly patients embarrassed or fearful of their current oral state, sedation dentistry provides the opportunity for your Oral Surgeon to treat these conditions while the patient remains relaxed and unaware until “awaking” to an improved oral state!
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Sedation Dentistry for the Fearful
Dental phobia is a real, often overwhelming reality for millions of people.
Negative previous dental experiences, fear of needles or drills, and severe
gag refluxes are just some of the reasons people feel extreme anxiety
when thinking about visiting the dentist.
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If you suffer from dental phobia, speak to Dr. Roksar. He is committed to
understanding the very real nature of your fears. Not only will our staff
treat you with delicacy and care, but IV sedation will allow you to
experience dentistry in a whole new way. While engaging in
a pleasant sleeplike experience.
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Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous Oxide is a sweet smelling, non irritating, colorless gas which you can breathe. Nitrous Oxide has been the primary means of sedation in dentistry for many years. Nitrous oxide is safe; the patient receives 50-70% oxygen with no less than 30% nitrous oxide. Patients are able to breathe on their own and remain in control of all bodily functions. The patient may experience mild amnesia and may fall asleep not remembering all of what happened during their appointment.
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There are many advantages to using Nitrous Oxide
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The depth of sedation can be altered at any time to increase or decrease sedation.
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There is no after effect such as a “hangover.”
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Inhalation sedation is safe with no side effects on your heart and lungs, etc.
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Inhalation sedation is very effective in minimizing gagging.
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It works rapidly as it reaches the brain within 20 seconds. In as few as 2-3 minutes its relaxation and pain killing properties develop.
Reasons to not use Nitrous Oxide
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Though there are no major contraindications to using nitrous oxide, you may not want to use it if you are pregnant or have emphysema, exotic chest problems, M.S., a cold, or other difficulties with breathing.
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What is cosmetic dentistry?Cosmetic dentistry offers solutions to improve the look of teeth that are stained, discolored, chipped, worn down, misshapen, a little gapped, or misaligned. It combines the art and science of dentistry to transform a less-than-perfect smile into one that looks naturally beautiful while at the same time enhancing overall facial aesthetics.
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What's the quickest way to improve the look of my smile?The great thing about cosmetic dentistry is that it offers multiple solutions to quickly improve the look of one’s smile. It all depends on your specific dental needs and cosmetic smile goals. While procedures such as teeth-whitening, tooth-colored fillings, and dental bonding typically provide dramatic improvements in just a single visit, others such as dental veneers only take a couple of visits.
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What's the best way to improve the look of dull, drab, or discolored teeth?A teeth whitening procedure as provided by our office is often the simplest, quickest, and most effective way to significantly lighten and brighten your smile.
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How can dental veneers improve the look of my smile?Porcelain veneers are capable of concealing a range of imperfections, dramatically improving the look of teeth that are misshapen, have minor chips, enamel defects, or stains. They also provide an excellent solution for closing small gaps as well as addressing other minor alignment issues. While teeth whitening procedures can effectively treat many cases of dental stains or discolorations to produce cosmetically pleasing results, darker stains, as well as specific issues involving the size, shape, and alignment of the teeth, are better addressed with porcelain veneers.
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What type of cosmetic restoration is possible for a back tooth?How a back tooth is repaired and restored depends on the extent of the cavity or damage it has sustained. In many cases, a tooth-colored filling is often sufficient to restore the form and function of a back tooth. However, when a significant amount of tooth structure is damaged, or the tooth has had a root canal, it’s often necessary to fabricate a full coverage crown. In this way, the remaining tooth structure is protected from further damage while full function and a natural-looking smile is restored.
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Does a tooth that is chipped require a crown?Whether or not a chipped or fractured tooth requires a dental crown depends on the extent of the damage. Some minor chips can be addressed with a dental bonding procedure or a veneer. When a significant amount of tooth structure is lost, rebuilding the form and function of the involved tooth may require a full coverage crown.
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What is the most cosmetic solution for replacing missing teeth?While conventional dental bridges and dentures offer effective and satisfying ways to rebuild a complete and attractive smile, dental implants represent the most advanced solutions for replacing missing teeth. With dental implants, our office can replace a single tooth or multiple ones to give you a smile that feels, looks, and functions like a natural one. Dental implants behave in much the same way as the root of an actual tooth, providing stable, secure, and long-lasting results of care.
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How long does teeth whitening last?How long your teeth whitening lasts depends on your lifestyle. Eating, drinking, and smoking habits can have a big impact on maintaining your result. Our office will inform you which food, beverages, or habits can stain your newly whitened smile. As needed, we’ll also help you maintain a white and vibrant smile with a periodic, safe, and effective touch-up whitening procedure.
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How much do cosmetic dental procedures cost?At the office of LI Dental Group, LLP, we want every patient to enjoy the benefits of a beautiful and healthy smile. We strive to make dental care affordable and accessible. Improving the look of your smile is a worthwhile investment, and we always try to optimize any dental insurance benefits to cover your work. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that cosmetic dental procedures may not be covered by your plan. You can count on our office to explain every cosmetic option available to address your needs and the fees involved. To help you begin care without any additional stress or delay, we can discuss different payment options and financing plans.
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Why choose the office of LI Dental Group, LLP,?Although achieving aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting results of care requires knowledge, experience, and technical proficiency, it also calls for a professional with an artistic eye and awareness of facial aesthetics. At the office of LI Dental Group, LLP, we successfully combine the art and science of dentistry to create smiles that are as beautiful as they are healthy. From performing professional teeth whitening procedures, fabricating custom dental veneers or crowns to rebuilding complete and beautiful smiles with dental implants and much more, we’re well equipped to transform less-than-perfect smiles into ones that look good and feel great.