Most of the drugs used in sedation dentistry are classified as benzodiazepines.  Benzodiazepines reduce anxiety, muscle spasms, insomnia and seizures.  Each medication has a different half-life, meaning that the effects last for varying amounts of time.  The estimated length of the procedure determines which type of drug is going to be most effective.Here are some of the most common drugs used in oral conscious sedation:Valium®...

How can you prevent injuries like tooth fractures, chipped teeth, broken teeth, cracked teeth, fractured teeth and other tooth trauma 1.  Have dental checkups every 6 months to discover problems early and receive treatment before decay undermines tooth structure or fillings and weaken them, predisposing them to fracture.2.  Have dental crowns placed on teeth that have undergone root canal therapy as soon as recommended by your dentist...

Present at the back of one's mouth, wisdom teeth make the lower and upper third molars of the set. They normally come between the age of 17 and 21 and since this is when the person is considered to have become a bit wiser, they are called wisdom teeth. The interesting thing about wisdom teeth though is that around 35% people never them. People who see their wisdom teeth coming in should be prepared for a few things. Keep on reading to find out...

Many people who are unhappy with their teeth’s appearance—dullness, gaps, chips or cracks, stains, or crookedness, for example—will choose porcelain veneers as a cosmetic solution. Patients love veneers for their natural appearance, resistance to stains, and brilliant white surface. Patients’ mouths love veneers because the process does not require extensive tooth shaping, and gum tissue tolerates the material well. Veneers don’t last...

The process of choosing an orthodontist is a vitally important process. An orthodontist will be involved in the orthodontic care for a long period of time, treating a highly visible area of the body – the smile. The following information can be used to make the process of finding an orthodontist a pleasant experience.SpecialistsFirst, specialists in orthodontics are dentists that have pursued an additional 2-3 years beyond dental school in an...

Is Whitening Bad for Your Teeth?Let’s face it, for many of us, our pearly whites have become more of a faint yellow. Age, our eating and drinking habits, and tobacco usage can lead to tooth discoloration. Even among those who take very special care of their teeth, it’s impossible to keep that white color we all had when we were kids.Many people are therefore interested in whitening their teeth, hoping to revitalize their smile. They also have...

Maybe it was a sports injury, a bite from an apple or your child’s head slamming into your mouth, but whatever the cause, you find yourself holding your tooth in your hand. Before you panic, know that in many cases a knocked-out tooth can be saved and reimplanted. You just have to act fast.Take Precautionary Measures ImmediatelyThe first thing you want to make sure of is that you are holding the tooth by the crown and not the root. The roots...

Here's how dental insurance works in a language you can understand. No legal-ese here.You either buy your own dental insurance or your employer provides it, usually at a reduced cost to you. You or your employer buy a certain level of coverage, be it 80/20 (80% of "reasonable and customary” charges paid by your dental insurance, the other 20% paid by you) or 90/10, or 50/50, etc. They all work the same with different payout levels.Now, here's...

Crooked teeth, overbite, or whatever your oral insecurity may be, clear braces are a great choice—but there are a few things to get straight first before you visit your cosmetic dentist.1. Yes, you actually have to wear them.It’s an all-too-true reality, but there’s no dancing it around it: You have to keep the aligners on for at least 20 hours a day or you won’t get the best results (22 hours is the rec, but you can boot two hours if...

We understand that most smokers know that they are more likely to suffer dental issues, such as gum disease and tooth loss than nonsmokers. However, what many don’t realize is that smoking can have an impact on tooth replacement as well, especially if an implant-based reconstruction is the desired option.If you’re interested in implant reconstruction, you should know that while most smokers have excellent results, tobacco use does...