Archive

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Fear of sedation is more common than many people think, and our friendly dentists at Trillium Dental in Ottawa are here to help you prepare for anesthesia so you can ultimately overcome your anxiety and have a smooth recovery. As it turns out, sedation dentistry is not nearly as scary as it seems — after all, you won’t hear, see, or feel a thing. Yet for some people, that is exactly what causes them fear. That being said, here are some tips to help you prepare for a sedation dentistry procedure, beginning with learning more about the procedure and sedation method, itself.

LEARN ABOUT THE PROCEDURE

While ignorance is bliss, this is often not the case with sedation dentistry. Prior to even scheduling your procedure, you must visit your dental clinic for a consultation with your dentist so that they can give you the lowdown on the procedure. During this meeting, you will learn exactly what the surgery entails, why it is the best option for you, what you can expect from the results, and how to prepare for sedation in terms of fasting, making driving arrangements, etc. You will also learn what kind of sedation is best for you and the nature of the surgery, whether that be IV sedation, oral sedation, or nitrous oxide.

This consultation is your chance to learn about the sedation dentistry procedure first-hand from the dentist who will be performing the surgery, so ask as many questions as you need to feel reassured. That way, you will have established greater trust for your dentist and will not be as afraid of losing control when you are given anesthesia. Another important thing to note is the importance of trusting and sticking to the information provided by the dentist in charge of your surgery, as staying up all night searching up the risks of anesthesia online will only put more irrational fears in your head. Remember, not everything on the internet is true, so it’s best to trust the experts at your local dental clinic.

Read More: Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS

Hand in hand with learning about the procedure is following the instructions you are given by the dentist who will be performing the surgery. You may have heard that you should not eat or drink for eight hours prior to your procedure, and this is usually true due to nausea being a major side effect of most types of anesthesia. There are other health risks of not adhering to fasting instructions prior to oral surgery, so be sure to read the information your dentist gives you and take it seriously. That way, complications and surprises on the day of your procedure will be far less likely, which will put your mind at ease knowing that you have done everything in your power to prepare for success.

If you have an upcoming wisdom teeth removal, dental implant procedure, root canal treatment, or any other kind of oral surgery that requires sedation, follow these two tips to help ease your fear of anesthesia. It really is that simple, and the more you know, the better prepared you will be. Please don’t hesitate to contact our dentists at Trillium Dental in Ottawa if you have further questions about sedation dentistry, and request a consultation online if you think you might need oral surgery.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

If you’re nervous about an upcoming root canal, you certainly aren’t alone. Lots of people have dental fears and phobias, especially when it comes to restorative dentistry procedures like root canals and tooth extractions. At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, our dentists have years of training and experience in endodontics, and we’re here to make your root canal as painless and stress-free as possible. To ease your mind in the weeks leading up to your root canal procedure, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about root canals.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A ROOT CANAL?

Root canals are one of the most misunderstood dental procedures, next to wisdom tooth removals. Lots of people are afraid of root canals because they aren’t sure what to expect, and their nerves get the best of them when their mind wanders to the worst possible scenario. In reality, root canals involve your dentist numbing the area and drilling a small hole in the infected tooth, then removing the pulp. Once the bacteria is removed, your dentist will insert a rubbery replacement, which will support the tooth and help to prevent bacteria from finding its way back in. Finally, they’ll cap the tooth with a temporary dental crown to protect it from becoming weak and brittle, then they’ll switch it out for a permanent crown at a second dental appointment.

HOW LONG DO ROOT CANALS TAKE?

Contrary to what you might think, root canals are a straightforward procedure that usually don’t take very long. Depending on the procedure and the number of root canals you’re having done, you’ll only be at our dental clinic for an hour or two at the most. Our goal is to get you in and out as quickly as possible so you can get back to your normal routine.

ARE ROOT CANALS PAINFUL?

As family dentists, we get this question all the time. One of the most common misconceptions about root canal therapy is that it’s excruciating, when in reality, root canal treatments are no more uncomfortable than a cavity filling. At Trillium Dental, we use local anesthesia to numb the area first, so patients don’t feel much during the treatment. However, they may experience some discomfort the day or two after their root canal procedure. If you experience any pain, our dentists recommend using an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen as needed.

HOW MUCH DO ROOT CANALS COST?

When it comes to dental treatments and procedures, the cost depends on your dental insurance coverage. In most cases, it’s far cheaper to save a damaged or decaying tooth than it is to extract it and replace it with a dental implant or denture restoration. If you have questions about the cost of root canals, feel free to reach out to our team at Trillium Dental for a cost estimate. We’d be happy to help you determine your coverage and form a treatment plan.

WILL I LOSE MY TOOTH?

Root canals are performed when a tooth is damaged or infected, but still has potential. Our dentists firmly believe that if a tooth can be saved, it should be. If we determine that your tooth is not fully decayed and will respond well to root canal treatment, we will perform a root canal to protect and preserve the tooth. However, if your tooth is too damaged to be saved, we’d be happy to discuss other restorative dentistry procedures with you instead, such as dental implants, dental bridges, and full and partial dentures.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A ROOT CANAL?

There are many signs and symptoms that your tooth has become infected, and some are more noticeable than others. Some of the most common signs are toothaches and pain when chewing, as well as heightened tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. You may also start to notice tooth discoloration in the infected area, in addition to swollen gums that are tender to the touch. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to contact your local dental office right away to schedule a checkup.

CHOOSE OUR OTTAWA DENTAL CLINIC FOR YOUR ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Root canals don’t have to be painful or scary — in fact, they are meant to relieve pain. Our dentists have performed dozens of root canals and are here to help. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment in Downtown Ottawa, Alta Vista, Orléans, Stittsville, Kanata, or the Westgate or Bayshore Mall. We look forward to providing the quality dental care you deserve!

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

In the world of dentistry, we commonly use different types of sedation for a number of reasons. For some patients, a mild sedative is beneficial to help ease nervousness or a dental phobia, and for others, local anesthesia is used to numb areas in the mouth before undergoing dental treatment. In some cases, such as wisdom teeth removal and other forms of oral surgery, patients are put under a general anesthetic during the dental procedure. Regardless of the type of anesthesia being used, many patients express anxiety with regard to sedation dentistry, and more often than not, this is because they don’t know what it entails.

At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, we strive to ensure that every one of our patients has a pleasant experience with us and receives the quality dental care they deserve. For us, this means not only providing them with affordable dental care that addresses all of their oral health needs, but also doing everything in our power to make sure patients are comfortable during their dental visit. Our dentists and dental hygienists believe that communication is the key to a pleasant dental experience, so for those of you who have reservations about anesthesia, “laughing gas,” and other aspects of sedation dentistry, here’s what you need to know.

TYPES OF SEDATION DENTISTRY

Though there are several different kinds of sedation used in family dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery, they all have one thing in common: the purpose is to make the patient more comfortable during the dental treatment. Some sedation techniques involve putting the patient to “sleep,” while others simply aid in patient relaxation when an area is numbed for treatment. That being said, here are the different types of sedation we use at our Ottawa dental clinic:

IV SEDATION

IV sedation stands for intravenous conscious sedation and is commonly referred to as “sleep dentistry,” though this is deceiving because patients that undergo IV sedation remain conscious. However, these patients are put in a much more relaxed state, which proves helpful for those who have a fear of dental tools, treatments, and procedures, as well as those with anxiety or a low pain tolerance. If you wish to use IV sedation during a general dentistry teeth cleaning, cavity filling, or any other type of treatment, you’ll need to arrange for a friend or family member to drive you to your dental appointment and bring you home afterward. This is because IV sedation puts you in a deeply relaxed state that renders you incapable of driving safely until it wears off after an hour or two.

ORAL SEDATION

Another sedation dentistry option we offer at our Ottawa dental office is oral sedation, which acts similarly to IV sedation in the sense that it puts patients in a relaxed, yet conscious state during their dental treatment. The main difference is that this type of sedation is taken orally in the form of a pill, rather than being administered intravenously, where the patient is hooked up to an IV drip. As with IV sedation dentistry, patients who opt to undergo oral sedation during their dental visit must arrange for someone to bring them to and from their dental appointment, as the effects of oral sedation inhibit a person’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. Our team at Trillium Dental also recommends that someone stay with you until the effects of either IV sedation or oral sedation have completely worn off, because the last thing you’d want is to trip and fall or hurt yourself in some way at home.

NITROUS OXIDE

Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas,” is a sedation dentistry technique that is administered through a small mask that is placed over a patient’s nose and mouth. Like the previously mentioned types, this kind of anesthesia helps patients relax without rendering them unconscious. Rather, it eases any stress the patient might be experiencing before their dental treatment, which makes the overall experience much more pleasant and comfortable. The effects of nitrous oxide are calming and wear off soon after the mask is removed, so patients do not necessarily require someone to take them home after the dental treatment is complete. However, our dentists and dental hygienists believe that it’s always best to air on the side of caution, so please don’t hesitate to ask a friend or family member to accompany you to and from our dental clinic.

GENERAL ANESTHESIA

Unlike the three types of dental sedation mentioned above, general anesthesia puts patients “to sleep” or “knocks them out” during the duration of their dental treatment. This type of sedation dentistry is often used during wisdom teeth removal and dental implant procedures, as these tooth extraction procedures would be far more complicated and unpleasant for patients if they were awake. When you meet with your wisdom teeth removal specialist and anesthesiologist, they will explain how the procedure works, what to expect during recovery, and how the general anesthesia will be administered. Common techniques for this type of sedation include total inhalation anesthesia and total intravenous anesthesia, both of which put the patient in a safe, unconscious state. When patients come out of general anesthesia, it is not uncommon for them to feel “loopy,” “silly,” or otherwise disoriented, so it is mandatory for them to have someone transport them to and from their dental appointment.

LOCAL ANESTHESIA

This brings us to the last type of sedation dentistry we use here at Trillium Dental, which is local anesthesia, or the numbing of certain areas in the mouth during a dental treatment or procedure. Local anesthesia is commonly used to numb the treatment area around tooth cavities or a damaged nerve in the tooth, which is removed during a root canal treatment. In either case, a shot of local anesthesia is administered around the treatment area to help prevent any discomfort when a patient gets a cavity filling or an infected tooth pulp removed. Not only does local anesthesia help prevent the patient from feeling any pain during these types of dental treatment, but it also makes their overall dental experience much more comfortable.

TRY SEDATION DENTISTRY AT TRILLIUM DENTAL IN OTTAWA

We hope that this post has answered some of your questions regarding the different types of sedation dentistry and how they are used at our Ottawa dental clinic. Our philosophy is to provide the best dental care possible for all of our patients, and sometimes, that means providing them with a mild sedative to calm their nerves and ease any fear they may have. As a family dental clinic, there is nothing more important to us than the comfort, happiness, and well-being of our patients, so we do everything in our power to help make that happen.

Interested in trying a method of sedation dentistry during your next dental appointment? Contact us today to learn more, or book your appointment online at Trillium Dental in Ottawa!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]