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Posts for: July, 2014

Anxiety in a child during dental procedures could interfere with the care they need. But recent advances in sedation drug therapy can calm pediatric patients safely and allow us to perform more invasive procedures without general anesthesia.
In contrast to general anesthesia, conscious sedation allows a patient to relax and feel calm while still breathing normally on their own and able to respond to certain stimuli. Conscious sedation can be deep, moderate or minimal. Deep sedation is akin to sleep and will also cause the child not to remember details of the procedure when they awaken. At the other end of the spectrum is minimal sedation, the most common type used in pediatric dentistry, which allows patients to respond to touching or verbal commands. Deep sedation drugs are usually administered intravenously, while those used for minimal sedation are administered orally with syrup. Conscious sedation doesn’t prevent pain, so it must also be accompanied by local anesthesia or other pain-relieving methods.
After you arrive for your child’s procedure, we’ll normally conduct a pre-sedation evaluation to be sure there are no medical problems that might interfere with the sedation. We typically use Midazolam (under the brand name Versed) or Hydroxyzine (also known as Vistaril or Atarax) to achieve sedation. Both are very safe, fast-acting and exit the body quickly after treatment.
During the procedure, a designated member of our staff continuously monitors your child’s vital signs, including pulse and respiration rates, blood pressure, temperature, and blood oxygen level. After the procedure your child will remain in recovery until vital signs return to pre-sedation levels. You should then take your child home and monitor them for the remainder of the day — definitely no return to school until at least the next day.
Safety is a top priority when using any sedation therapy — dental professionals follow strict procedures and protocols, as well as adhere to certification requirements enforced by many states. Performed in this manner, conscious sedation can help ensure your child’s experiences in our office are pleasant, and will hopefully result in a greater willingness when they grow up to continue professional dental care.
If you would like more information on conscious sedation for children, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Sedation Dentistry for Kids.”

Q: What is a gummy smile? I’ve never heard that term before.
A: You may not have heard the phrase, but you’ve probably noticed the condition. A “gummy smile” occurs when too much gum tissue (in technical terms, over 4 millimeters, or about one-eighth of an inch) is visible in the smile. Different people have different ideas about when this issue becomes a problem… but if you feel it detracts from your appearance, there are several ways dentists can treat a gummy smile.
Q: What can cause a smile to appear “gummy”?
A: A number of factors can contribute to this perception. One is simply that an excess of gum tissue is covering up the teeth. Another is that the teeth themselves are relatively short; this can be a natural anatomical feature, or it can result from the teeth being worn down by a grinding habit or another cause. In some cases, the problem is that the upper lip is hypermobile, meaning it rises too high when you smile. And in rare instances, the upper jaw is proportionately too long for the face, making the gums and teeth extend down too far.
Q: What’s the best way to fix this condition?
A: It all depends on what is causing the smile to appear gummy. If it’s too much gum tissue, a periodontal procedure called “crown lengthening” can be used to remove the excess tissue and reveal more of the teeth. If the teeth themselves are responsible, they can be crowned (capped), or covered by porcelain veneers. A hypermobile lip can be controlled temporarily with Botox injections, or permanently with a minor surgical procedure. Jaw problems present the most complex condition, but can be successfully treated with orthognathic (jaw-straightening) surgery. Orthodontic treatment may also be recommended in conjunction with these therapies.
Q: I’m unhappy with the way my smile looks, but I’m not sure exactly what’s wrong. What should I do?
A: A great-looking smile comes from the harmonious dynamic between teeth, lips and gums. If you feel your smile could use a little improvement, we can help you identify the things you like about it, and point out the things that need improvement. Working with an experienced cosmetic dentist is the best way for you to get the smile you’ve always dreamed about.
If you’d like more information about cosmetic gum treatments or cosmetic dentistry in general, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Gummy Smiles.”
Archive:
- 2019
- February (5)
- Managing Diabetes and Gum Disease Together will Lessen the Effect of Both
- Dental Sealants can help Prevent Tooth Decay in Children
- 4 Things to Avoid if You Want to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- Legal or Not, Marijuana Poses a Health Risk to Your Gums
- Good Reasons for Choosing Clear Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment
- January (6)
- Topical Fluoride is a Safe Way to Protect Your Child's Teeth from Decay
- 4 Ways to Check on Your Brushing and Flossing Effectiveness
- 4 Things that can Cause Gum Recession and What to do About Them
- Wisdom Teeth Warrant Close Watch to Avoid Future Health Issues
- What You Should Know About Veneers for Teenagers
- Stay Hydrated in Winter for Better Year-Round Oral Hygiene
- 2018
- December (6)
- Take a Look into Your Future with a Trial Smile
- Do you need Simple Tooth Removal or Surgery? It Depends on a few Factors
- Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
- Stop Smoking to Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
- Don't Ignore Tooth Pain - You May Need a Root Canal
- Protecting Primary Teeth from Decay Helps Ensure Future Dental Health
- November (6)
- A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
- Regardless of What You've Seen Online, Don't Fear a Root Canal Treatment
- 4 Things to Know About Diabetes and Gum Health
- Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
- Dentures are Still a Viable Choice for Tooth Replacement
- Avoid Implant Failure by Watching Out for These Mouth Problems
- September (6)
- Veneers may Offer a Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
- 'Simple' Tooth Extractions are a Common Dental Procedure
- Tell Your Dentist if You're Having a Shingles Outbreak
- FAQs for National Gum Care Month
- It's National Gum Care Month - Take Care of Your Gums
- Keep Up Good Dental Habits in College to Protect Your Teeth and Gums
- August (6)
- No- or Minimal-Prep Veneers Reduce Permanent Alterations to Your Teeth
- Your Veneers Have 'Staying Power' - if Cared for Properly
- World Cup Soccer Coach-Dentist Saves the Day!
- Take Years off Your Smile by Treating Age-Related Dental Problems
- What to do if Your Child has a Toothache
- Back to School Do's and Don'ts
- July (7)
- We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
- Get a Look at Your Future Makeover Look Now with a 'Trial Smile'
- Don't Take a Vacation From Oral Hygiene This Summer!
- A Second Root Canal Treatment May Help Save an Endangered Tooth
- There may be more to that Toothache that Suddenly Stops Aching
- Keep on Course during the 3 Phases of a Smile Makeover
- Keep an Eye on Your Young Children's Fluoride Intake
- June (6)
- Don't Fear the Root Canal - it Could Save Your Tooth
- Extracting Certain Teeth can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
- Artificial Sweeteners Could Help You Reduce the Risk of Dental Disease
- 3 Types of Tooth Pain and What They Might be Telling You
- June Is National Safety Month: Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
- Take Steps to Treat Chronic Mouth Breathing as Early as Possible
- March (5)
- A "No-Prep" Veneer Could Eliminate the Need to Remove Tooth Enamel
- Advances in Porcelain Veneers Improve Both Strength and Appearance
- Why the Bottled Variety Might not be Your Best Choice for Clean Drinking Water
- Periodontal Probing Increases Accuracy in Diagnosing Gum Disease
- Although a Challenge, Chronically Ill Children Need Tooth Decay Prevention
- 2017
- December (5)
- Implant Placement in the 'Smile Zone' Requires Extra Attention
- Living with HIV includes Keeping a Close Watch on Your Oral Health
- Change Your Smile for the Better with Porcelain Veneers
- Have a Loose Tooth? You'll Need This Two-Phase Treatment to Save It
- Air Abrasion Could be a More Pleasant Alternative to the Dental Drill
- January (5)
- The True Cause of Your Gummy Smile Determines How We Treat it
- Stay Ahead of Gum Disease Re-Infection with Periodontal Maintenance
- There are Good Reasons to Check Your Blood Pressure During Dental Visits
- Choosing a Screw or Cement to Attach an Implant Crown
- 3 Surprising Foods That Could Help You Fight Tooth Decay
- 2016
- November (5)
- Transform Your Smile and Dental Health by Correcting Your Bad Bite
- Answering Your Questions about Your Upcoming Teeth Whitening
- Dental Implants can Replace Your Whole Tooth, Not Just What You See
- An Infected or Injured Primary Tooth Can Be Saved - but it's Complicated
- Start Early with Your Baby's Dental Care
- September (5)
- Implants can Support a Total Tooth Replacement Restoration
- 4 Things to Give Your Child a Head Start on Good Oral Health
- Help Your Child Develop Good Oral Habits and Avoid Bad Ones
- Lasers Adding New Precision and Efficiency to Root Canal Treatments
- Local Anesthesia Eliminates Pain Completely During Dental Work
- May (5)
- Monitoring Blood Pressure is Also Important During Dental Care
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- Enhance Your Smile for that Special, Once-in-a-Lifetime Day
- Keep Alert to These Signs of Impending Tooth Decay
- Quitting Smoking can Improve the Health of Your Teeth and Gums
- March (5)
- The Type of Mouthrinse you use Could be Doing More Than Freshen Breath
- Good Oral Hygiene Just as Important for Implants as for Natural Teeth
- Cosmetic Gum Surgery Can Help Restore Lost Tissues Around Teeth
- Support Your Child's Teeth Development with Proper Hygiene and Dental Care
- Watch for these 4 Signs of Gum Disease
- 2015
- December (5)
- Severe Dental Injuries May Require Endodontic Treatment
- Stopping Tooth Decay Could Require Root Canal Treatment
- Sleep Apnea and Behavioral Problems in Children: How Your Dentist Can Help
- Dental Amalgam Continues to be a Durable and Safe Tooth Filling
- 3 Tips for Denture Care to Help Them Last and Keep Your Mouth Healthy
- 2014
- September (5)
- With Proper Care, Veneers are a Long-Term Option for Stained Teeth
- Saving a Baby Tooth is the Best Option for Permanent Tooth Development
- Certain Medical Conditions Call for Antibiotics Before a Dental Visit
- Timing is Everything When it Comes to Treating Mouth Injuries
- Successful Outcomes With Dentures Depends on Attention to Detail
- April (5)
- Treating Thumb Sucking Now Could Reduce Orthodontic Treatment Later
- Keep an Eye on Your Child's Primary Tooth Loss
- What's The Difference Between Bridgework and Dental Implants?
- Five Tips for Making Your Child's Early Dental Visits Stress-Free
- Underlying Factors for Gum Disease Require Long-Term Treatment Strategy
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
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