Dentists do their best to help their patients avoid serious problems such as severely worn teeth, extensive decay, and gum disease. However, sometimes severe oral health issues do arise, and fixing them requires some extensive dental work. At Parkway Prosthodontics, we are able to perform full mouth reconstruction in Jacksonville. What does this mean, and how will we help you stay comfortable while we’re getting your oral health back on track?
WHAT IS FULL MOUTH RECONSTRUCTION?
Full mouth reconstruction is not a specific procedure; rather, it is a term we use to refer to any treatment plan that addresses severe aesthetic or functional problems within the mouth. If you have any of the following issues, full mouth reconstruction might be appropriate for your circumstances:
Restorations that are gray, cracked, or otherwise nonfunctional or unattractive
Severely worn teeth
Extensive tooth decay
A severely misaligned bite or misaligned teeth
Teeth that are broken, chipped, or missing
Teeth that appear too small, too large, or too long
Chronic pain in your facial muscles, neck, or jaw
Some of the treatments we use to correct these problems are time-consuming and delicate, and some patients shy away from them because they are afraid of pain. However, we offer two types of sedation that can help you stay calm and relaxed no matter what type of dental procedure you’re undergoing.
Laughing Gas
Laughing Gas is a colorless gas that produces a strong feeling of relaxation, or even giddiness, when it is inhaled. When it is administered by an expert, it is quite safe and comes with a very low risk of side effects. It will not put you to sleep, so you’ll still be aware enough to respond to the dentist’s instructions. It wears off quickly once you stop breathing it in; you won’t need to worry that you’ll stay groggy for hours after your appointment.
ORAL CONSCIOUS SEDATION
If oral conscious sedation is right for you, you’ll swallow a pill shortly before your procedure. It will induce a feeling of calmness and relaxation, though it is unlikely to put you to sleep. Its effects are even more powerful than those of laughing gas, which makes it a good choice for individuals who will be in the dental chair for a long time or those who suffer from a high level of dental anxiety. It may take up to a day for the drug to wear off completely, so you’ll need to have someone drive you to and from your appointment.
Full mouth reconstruction doesn’t have to be painful or unpleasant; thanks to your sedation dentist in Jacksonville, you can remain comfortable throughout your treatment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Kathryn Ryan is a certified prosthodontist whose training and skills equip her to handle even the most complex full mouth reconstruction cases. She is passionate about helping her patients improve their quality of life via treatments that relieve facial pain and restore the function of the teeth and gums. If you would like to discover how she can help you gain a healthy and beautiful smile, contact us at 904-204-1628.