Dental anxiety or fear about visiting the dentist is quite natural. In fact, many of Americans are fearful about going to the dentist & tend to avoid dental check-ups. Most people are not able to understand why they feel so anxious.  According to experts, needle phobia, & previous memories of bad dental experiences are among the reasons behind  this dental anxiety. The dental procedure that patients seem to be most fearful about is none other than root canals. Thus, for those suffering from extreme dental anxiety, the best option for them is to go for sedation dentistry.

Dentistry in which sedatives are used before a dental procedure is performed so that the patient remains calm & relaxed during the procedure is known as sedation dentistry. Anti-anxiety medications, nitrous oxide & tranquilizers are some of the typical sedatives that are used. In the past, sedatives were administered intravenously, where the dentist would inject the sedatives into the blood vessels of the patient’s arm or hand. However, as mentioned, needle phobia is one of the reasons behind dental anxiety & the use of needles only made patients even more anxious.

Fortunately, many alternatives have now emerged due to the advancements in dental technology, & dentists no longer need to use injections to administer these sedatives. These days, dentists are able to administer sedatives orally or in the form of anti-anxiety pills. Patients no longer have to be anxious about being poked with sharp needles. As for the dental procedure, the sedatives leave patients really relaxed & allow them to experience no pain throughout the procedure.

There are several ways in which sedation dentistry is not only beneficial for an anxious patient but also for the dentist.

At times, dental procedures, such as a root canal, can indeed be really painful & as a result of this, patients only tend to feel more anxious. Anxious patients can even prove to be a distraction for the dentist. The sedatives administered cause patients to feel numb & relaxed. Thus, dentists are able to concentrate better on the dental procedure they are performing & the patients feel no pain.

Dentists usually find it hard to carry out treatments if their patients are really anxious & stressful. This can create a situation where the dentist is not providing the absolute best care they are possible of.   Thus, when the sedatives are administered, the dentists are able to perform the dental procedure more effectively & can save you time too, while the patients remain unaware of the treatment.

While dental anxiety is quite natural, the best thing that you can do about your anxiety is find a sedation dentist they trust.  Dr. Christian Yaste and Dr. Joseph Hufanda have the experience & knowledge you need.  For more information on Sedation Dentistry or to schedule a consultation, contact us at 704-540-2255 and ask for a free sedation dentistry consultation.

Getting a perfect smile with dental implants

Tri-Max Technology for dental implants

Tri-Max technology is one of the new dental implant updates. Dental implants are a great solution for those who want to replace their missing teeth. But before we continue tackling the topic about molar tooth implant placement, let’s find out first why we loose our teeth.

Why we lose our teeth

One common cause of loosing our teeth is through tooth decay or cavities. Cavities can be caused by previous dental work, and can build up underneath the tooth. Another cause of loosing teeth is root canal failure. According to the dental experts, a root canal can last for years but once it fails, the person will lose the tooth. One reason is that root canal can cause the tooth to be brittle which makes it prone to cracking or breaking. Another cause is gum disease, which effects 60% of adults at the age of 40  and up.

In addition, it is also possible that gum disease can starts to occur during the age of 35. Another reason why individuals can lose their teeth is by trauma to the mouth.  Trauma can be caused by accidents such as being hit by hard objects directly to the mouth.  Other causes of losing the teeth are excessive wear and tear and congenital defects. People lose their teeth when the teeth wear out too fast, due to being used so often, along with congenital defects such as soft teeth.

Why having a good teeth is important

Basically, having good teeth and a great smile helps with confidence and self esteem.  With missing teeth, people are embarrased in engaging in regular conversation with others, or breaking out a big, beautiful smile.  Another reason to have healthy, working teeth, is so you can eat better. Malnutrition can also be caused by loosing teeth due to the biting habits, which can also lead the person to die earlier. Research has shown that with good teeth, you actually live longer, due to more healthy eating.

Dental Implants are a solution to missing or damaged teeth

Dental implants are an ideal solution for replacing the natural teeth.  This procedure has been perfected by cosmetic dental experts and is the best solution for those who want to restore their teeth. Dental implants does not differ from the natural tooth due to the fact that the natural tooth has a a root and a crown same with the implants. The implants replaces the roots of the tooth and serves as the foundation for crown.

The benefits of having dental implant

• Without dental implants, using nothing or temporary dentures, the jawbone can shrink and makes the face looks older.
• There are no loose parts which makes the person uncomfortable or worried.
• Dental implants are stable and brings the comfort of having natural teeth.
• Dental implants last forever with a success rate of 95% over the past 30 years.
• Implants brings confidence and peace of mind to the person due to the pact that it stays permanently.
• It is a best investment

What is the recommended molar replacement for dental implants

A recommended dental implant for molar replacement is the Tri-MAX. Basically, molar replacement replaces the back teeth that are supporting the other teeth to keep them from being misplaced. This molar teeth are also the most important chewing teeth. The right implant for molar teeth is called the Tri-Max implant.

Normally, Tri-MAX implant is a 6mm diameter implants that is placed after the initial healing. It has the ideal shape to fill the molar extraction socket and can be placed after the extraction of the molar tooth, which means one visit only. This Tri-MAX implant provides the base for the crown that is identical to the original or the previous root. The incredible thing about this implant is that, the crown can be installed within 4 months. There are also other sizes of Tri-MAX implant such as the 8mm or 9mm which are normally used when the 6mm is not enough to fit the molar socket in some cases.

The procedure of the Tri-MAX implant is simple. The tooth is removed and at the same time, the implant is placed. Lastly, the crown is placed in the implant where in it will look like as if it was a natural tooth.

Advantages of immediate placement of Tri-MAX implant

• Tri-MAX implant is compose of one single procedure only compared to the other types or dental procedures to restore the tooth
• Tri-MAX implant is a painless technique same as when the tooth is being extracted
• Less complications when implant is placed immediately after the tooth extraction procedure
• Tri-MAX immediate implant is a time saver since it reduces the treatment time from 6-12 months into 3-6 months

The Tri-Max implant is more affordable compared to the other types of implant procedures since it does not require different processes in order to place the implant, so there are less visits to your Charlotte cosmetic dentist.

Those are the advantages you can get when you go to Tri-MAX implant. Should you need information regarding Tri-MAX implant, you can contact us here at Ballantyne Center for Dentistry at 704-540-2255 or send an email at info@ballantynedentistry.com.

Contact us now to get a FREE implant consultation and schedule your FREE consult within 24 hours to get complimentary dental sedation for the implant procedure or receive a $300 off of this already affordable implant.

Are you afraid of the dentist? According to the American Association of Endodontists about 80% of Americans are afraid of going to the dentist. In fact 5-10% of people avoid dental visits altogether because of their fear. And 20% of people will only go to the dentist when they absolutely need to.

Most dental fear based on past experiences
Experts say that about 2/3 of people are afraid to go to the dentist because they had a bad past experience at the dentist. Others have a fear because of another issue, such as anxiety disorders. Additionally, some people who have experienced posttraumatic stress disorders may have a fear of the dentist because of how physically close the dentist and hygienist get to the patient. Often people are afraid not because of the pain, but because of the lack of control. The lack of ability to respond, and lack of control over the situation can create a lot of stress in many people.
 
Fearful patients should be assertive
When people are afraid of the dentist, they often do not feel comfortable sharing their feelings with the dentist. But, in fact, when your cosmetic dentists at Ballantyne Center for Dentistry are aware of that fear, they will be able to help the patient and walk through the process with them. After a patient shares their fears and anxiety about visiting a dentist, a gentle dentist will be careful to make the patient feel comfortable in Charlotte NC.

 
A soothing dental office helps ease anxiety
If you have anxiety about going to the dentist, consider going to a dental office that has a soothing environment. Many dental offices, including Ballantyne Dentistry in Charlotte NC create a physically soothing environment for patients. Calling it a dental spa—the dentists’ office looks, feels and even smells, like a spa. Complete with massage chairs, XM/Sirius radio and a library of DVDs, there are plenty of distractions available to help patients at this popular dentist’s office feel comfortable during their appointment.

Strategies dentists use to help patients feel comfortable
Experienced dentists in Charlotte NC use various strategies to help patients feel comfortable. But, often, the most effective strategy is simply communicating with the patient throughout the dental appointment.
 
By explaining what the patient will feel, and for how long, patients will feel more comfortable. Many gentle dentists frequently ask nervous patients if they can continue with their work—this helps the patient feel like they are in control of the situation. By letting the patient know that the appointment can end at anytime, patients are reassured knowing that they can leave if they need to.

Patients can benefit from relaxation techniques
Did you know that controlling your breathing can help if you are afraid of the dentist? Common inhaling and exhaling at a slow, controlled pace can be a big help in relaxing while at a dentist appointment. By taking a deep breath, holding it, and then letting it out slowly (like a leaky tire), you will slow your heartbeat and subsequently relax your muscles. You can also tense and relax different muscle groups—this is called progressive muscle relaxation and can help with relaxation while in stressful situations.

Are you afraid of the dentist? Try visiting the gentle dentists at Ballantyne Center for Dentistry in Charlotte NC today and see how easy it is to get back in the cosmetic dentists’ chair and on your way to good dental health!