Archives for September 2015

Some patients feel that nitrous oxide is the best thing that has happened in the field of dental procedures. Its inception actually dates back to the 1700’s and can be credited to a man named Humphry Davey. Mr. Davey, experimenting on himself, found that the gas did indeed relieve the pain of his toothache and he was even able to block it out well enough to experience a very pleasant feeling.

Now we know that nitrous oxide should be mixed with oxygen in order to be safely administered. The combination can be adjusted according to the length of the dental procedure. Patients have described the effects as a feeling of being tickled and then being engulfed by a sense of overall contentment. No wonder more people prefer it to any other means of sedation! If a patient under the influence of nitrous oxide starts to experience any bad side effects the dentist can regulate the percentage of oxygen to that of the nitrous oxide. Tolerance levels can increase with more treatments.

A patient receiving nitrous oxide will simply breathe it in through a mask placed over the face. When the dentist turns the machine on the gas mixture will flow through a hose attached to the mask. Some machines are equipped with two masks – one to administer the gas and the other to provide the extra sensation of a pleasant aroma that the patient may enjoy during the procedure.

Nitrous oxide is fast working. Patients report feeling the effects in minutes after the therapy begins, and since there are no after effects patients can feel free to drive themselves safely to and from their dental appointment.

Inhalation sedation may be the only “anesthetic” necessary for some procedures, or it can be used in a procedure that requires an injection as well. It can relax the patient and relieve any anxiety he may have about the needle. It can also be useful for the patient who is prone to gagging.

At Southlands Dental in Aurora patient comfort is of the utmost importance. Dr. Looze and his staff and assistants make every effort to put their patients at ease. Call 720-886-0606 for your appointment.

If you develop a cavity let’s hope that your dentist catches it in the early stages so that the treatment will be simple and as noninvasive as possible. The first step in filling a tooth is to get rid of the decay. Once it is gone the tooth can be restored with any one of a few filling materials ranging from gold to composite resin.

Which kind of filling is right for you? This will be determined by several factors. Your dentist will evaluate your needs considering how much of the natural tooth has been lost to decay, where the tooth is located and what your insurance will cover. Composite fillings for instance, can be made to match the color of your other teeth and are often used to restore a front tooth while a less expensive silver filling can go unnoticed in a back molar.

There are advantages and disadvantages to every type of filling. Even though the aesthetic quality of a silver filling is less, it may well last longer than a composite and it will provide the strength needed for chewing. A porcelain filling is often chosen because of its resistance to staining. A porcelain filling can last for as long as fifteen years, but like a gold filling is a more expensive alternative.

When you have a tooth filled your dentist may recommend not biting down on it for the rest of the day, but after that you can return to a normal dental care routine.

In Aurora, CO call Southlands Dental @ 720-886-0606 for all your dental needs.

If you’ve recently had a reason to look for a new dentist and have found one that you feel will be a good fit for your needs, you should expect to have a comprehensive exam during your first visit with him. Even if you bring records and x-rays from your previous dentist your new dentist will want to make his own evaluations. He will also want to keep his findings from this initial exam in your patient file so that he can compare the changes that he may notice during future exams. You can help things along by taking a copy of your medical history and a list of any medications you are currently taking. Even some over the counter remedies can affect your teeth and gums.

Studies continue to make doctors and dentists more aware of the correlation between general medical health and oral health. They know for instance that a patient with diabetes is more prone to develop gum disease which in turn can make it harder to keep the blood sugar levels under control.

Be straightforward with your dentist. Get off to a good start by telling him about any apprehensions you have that may have been caused by an earlier experience, or if you are especially susceptible to anxiety attacks. Even though the first exam will be complete let your dentist know before it starts if you are experiencing pain in a particular area of your mouth or if your teeth are unusually sensitive.

If you have never undergone an extensive dental exam before you may be surprised when the dentist goes outside your mouth to check your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. That is the joint that controls the lower jaw when you use your mouth to talk or eat. He will also check your neck and face for any signs of swelling.

Southlands Dental in Aurora, CO has the newest technology on hand including the innovative intraoral camera. Call the office @ 720-886-0606 for your exam and don’t forget to schedule a cleaning at the same time.