When Dr. Sims learned of the link between oral health and systemic diseases, his interest in periodontics was born. With a passion for oral health and a commitment to changing peoples lives with every smile, it was almost destined for Dr. Sims to have a career in the dental field. He graduated from the University of Alabamas School of Dentistry in 1994, then went on to specialize in Periodontics at UAB where he completed his residency and received a Masters of Science in Oral Biology.
Dental implants might be for you if you have missing teeth, it is crucial to replace them. Not only can missing teeth make chewing and eating difficult and destabilize your bite, but it can also affect your self-confidence. At Dr. Kevin Sims, we want to take your mind off your mouth so you can take on the world. Implants are a great way to replace your missing teeth and can give you a bright, beautiful smile that will last a lifetime.
A dental implant is a new tooth made of metal and porcelain that looks just like your natural toothso you can flash those pearly whites without fear, knowing that no one will ever suspect you have a replacement tooth
In addition to tooth replacement, implants may be used to anchor dentures, especially lower dentures that tend to shift when you talk or chew. If you have removable partial dentures, implants can replace missing teeth so that you have a more natural looking smile.
The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.
Dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth. Since periodontists are the dental experts who specialize in precisely these areas, they are ideal members of your dental implant team. Not only do periodontists have experience working with other dental professionals, they also have the special knowledge, training and facilities that you need to have teeth that look and feel just like your own. Your dentist and periodontist will work together to make your dreams come true.
For patients who are desperately afraid of injections, going to the dentist or getting a wisdom tooth pulled or a root canal is agony in more than just the obvious ways. Instead of giving up on having healthy teeth and visiting your dentist, maybe its time to consider Dental IV sedation.
IV or intravenous sedation is a procedure that allows your periodontist or oral surgeon to provide anti-anxiety medications, like those used in oral sedation, directly into your bloodstream. You may sometimes see this referred to as sleep or twilight dentistry which may make you think youll be completely unconscious during your procedure. In fact, you remain awake the entire time and will be able to respond to your dentists questions. You may not, however, remember much or anything once the medication wears off.
Because of the nature of Dental IV sedation, you must have an adult come with you to your procedure and drive you home. They will also need to take note of what you have to do in the hours and days after your procedure and help you until the sedation wears off. While its an effective form of sedation, its not one to be taken lightly.
IV sedation puts you in a state of deep relaxation, much more than laughing gas or oral sedation. While the drugs are being administered, you generally wont care at all about anything going on around you. Time will seem to pass very quickly, and you will likely experience partial or even full memory loss of the procedure when its over.
To receive IV sedation, a needle is used to insert a tube into a vein, usually on the top of your hand. The sedation drug is administered through this tube so it goes directly to your bloodstream. The IV stays in your vein for the entire procedure. While youre under sedation, your pulse and oxygen levels will be monitored to make sure you dont have a bad reaction. Before and after sedation, your blood pressure will be checked, too.
Like oral sedation, IV sedation uses benzodiazepines to reduce anxiety and fear during the procedure. The most common drugs used are Midazolam and Diazepam. This is in a different dosage than the oral sedation method. As anti-anxiety medications, theyre designed to relax you and make you sleepy. At this dosage, it can result in amnesia.
Pain medications like opioids are sometimes added to the IV sedation. This isnt typical for everyone because the area being worked on will be numbed and pain should be minimal. Pain meds are most often used when a procedure will last a long time or if the postoperative pain will be unbearable. Even with the addition of pain medication, IV sedation is considered extremely safe for the vast majority of patients.
When it is determined that a tooth needs to be removed, your dentist may extract the tooth during a regular checkup or may schedule another visit for this procedure. The root of each tooth is encased within your jawbone in a tooth socket, and your tooth is held in that socket by a ligament. In order to extract a tooth, your dentist must expand the socket and separate the tooth from the ligament holding it in place. While this procedure is typically very quick, it is important to share with your doctor any concerns or preferences for sedation.
There can be many reasons for extracting teeth, so make sure you ask your dentist about your specific situation and they will walk through the pros and cons of the procedure. Some of the leading causes of tooth extractions include:
Dr. Sims will perform an x-ray before recommending tooth removal. This allows us to properly examine where the roots are, as well as the condition of bone. We can also anticipate complications by looking at all the facts through an x-ray. We will then discuss your health history to determine if you are healthy enough for the procedure.
In most cases, local anesthesia is used to numb the tooth and area. Sometimes, our periodontist will use other sedation methods to ensure you feel no pain or anxiety during the procedure. Special care is taken to ensure bone around the tooth isnt damaged during the procedure. If needed, bone-grafting material is placed in the socket to help preserve bone volumeespecially necessary if a dental implant is planned for later on.
Right after a tooth extraction, our dental professionals apply gauze to the socket and gentle pressure is applied for about 20 minutes to control any bleeding. The area may require a few stitches and you may experience mild to moderate swelling or discomfort but most symptoms can be controlled with over-the-counter pain medications. Sometimes, we prescribe antibiotics to prevent an infection. Ice packs can help reduce swelling and make sure you eat softer foods for a couple of days until your mouth returns to normal.
Reviews
Rating 4.8 out of 5 based on 26 reviews
Sort by
newest oldest highest lowestJacquelyn French
2 years ago
Excellent experience every time! Dr. Sims' chair side manner is outstanding!
Angie purvis
2 years ago
Dr. Kevin and all of the staff are amazing. The environment always feels clean and has good atmosphere. Dr. Kevin is honest, very knowledgeable, efficient, extremely kind, and an excellent periodontist, I have been going to him for 5 years and did 3 implants and bone graph, he cares to call to check after the procedures is done, and give an after hours number, to me he is a keeper.
Enger Bufford
2 years ago
I had a recent visit with Dr. Sims that I was quite nervous about. Turned out that the test that I had was completely painless, and Dr. Sims' bedside manners made my visit even better. I also had a cleaning the same day, and Glenda was awesome! She was so kind, gentle, and precise. I will definitely be returning for my next cleaning and any other periodontal needs that I may have.
Carolyne Black
2 years ago
Dr Sims and his technicians are excellent! On a scale of 1-10 the exceed by leeps & bounds. His front desk attendants are very lackadaisical in their responsibilities and rude. * I called last Monday to get a price on a procedure I was having the following day. I was told by Tammy she could not locate my file and would call back with the financial information. She did not. *I arrived that Wednesday for my procedure. The following day I was unable to open my mouth (Thursday) and was informed by Kelly that the Dr was doing a procedure and she would have him call my back. I never received a call back. I called later and the office was closed. I called back the next day, (Friday) to learn the office was closed. The Dr was not informed of my medical need. Does anyone monitor the messages for medical emergencies? I had to wait until Monday in pain & unable to open my mouth. I called and she was flip about the dilemma and after several hours I received a call backwith 2 prescriptions. Had I received this Thursday I would not have had to endure such pain & discomfort for 5 days! 5 days of pain & unable to eat and Tammy had the nerve to be condesending to me when I expressed my issue. **Great location and back staff. **Front office in desperate need of training in customer service and attention to detail/multi-tasking. **These people can make of break your business.
Carolyne Black
3 years ago
Dr Sims and his technicians are excellent! On a scale of 1-10 the exceed by leeps & bounds. His front desk attendants are very lackadaisical in their responsibilities and rude. * I called last Monday to get a price on a procedure I was having the following day. I was told by Tammy she could not locate my file and would call back with the financial information. She did not. *I arrived that Wednesday for my procedure. The following day I was unable to open my mouth (Thursday) and was informed by Kelly that the Dr was doing a procedure and she would have him call my back. I never received a call back. I called later and the office was closed. I called back the next day, (Friday) to learn the office was closed. The Dr was not informed of my medical need. Does anyone monitor the messages for medical emergencies? I had to wait until Monday in pain & unable to open my mouth. I called and she was flip about the dilemma and after several hours I received a call backwith 2 prescriptions. Had I received this Thursday I would not have had to endure such pain & discomfort for 5 days! 5 days of pain & unable to eat and Tammy had the nerve to be condesending to me when I expressed my issue. **Great location and back staff. **Front office in desperate need of training in customer service and attention to detail/multi-tasking. **These people can make of break your business.
Lindy McCullers Carmichael
3 years ago
The whole team is fabulous!
Ross Isbell
3 years ago
Our practice often refers patients to Dr. Sims and team and they always are thankful for a great experience!
Douglas Duet
3 years ago
Amazing. Courteous, professional and super friendly
B A Buckland
3 years ago
Very intelligent, thoughtful and caring. Congenial and authentic. Knows how to do his job. Would recommend him to anyone needing a peridontist or implants.
Lindy McCullers Carmichael
4 years ago
The whole team is fabulous!
Ross Isbell
4 years ago
Our practice often refers patients to Dr. Sims and team and they always are thankful for a great experience!
Douglas Duet
4 years ago
Amazing. Courteous, professional and super friendly
B A Buckland
4 years ago
Very intelligent, thoughtful and caring. Congenial and authentic. Knows how to do his job. Would recommend him to anyone needing a peridontist or implants.
Carolyn Bryant
4 years ago
My dentist sent me to Dr. Kevin Sims for dental implants. Dr. Sims and team made welcome immediately. He was glad to answer all my questions and explain procedures so that I could understand him. I have several visits more before I am through, but I am very impressed with him and the clinic as a whole. I anticipate having a fabulous outcome and a beautiful smile.
Barry Harrison
5 years ago
Dr. Sims and his staff are amazing! From the first time I called , they were nothing but nice. I worked with them for almost a year from a bone graft to dental implants. After my surgeries Dr. Sims called me himself to check on me. Ginny was usually his dental assistant and was always so nice and caring ! The dental implants have changed my life ! I highly recommend DR. Sims to anyone !
Carolyn Bryant
5 years ago
My dentist sent me to Dr. Kevin Sims for dental implants. Dr. Sims and team made welcome immediately. He was glad to answer all my questions and explain procedures so that I could understand him. I have several visits more before I am through, but I am very impressed with him and the clinic as a whole. I anticipate having a fabulous outcome and a beautiful smile.
David Nilsen
5 years ago
I had 3 implants 1 year ago and now I am going to get 2-3 more. You will not find a better Dental office for all your implant and periodontist needs. I only rated Dr. Sims with 5 stars because that was the limit. It will not take you long to know you have made a good choice. It is a Joy going to their office not a word you generally associate with the dentist. I pass by many Periodontist in my 1.5 hour trip and its worth every minute. As a bonus the Staff is outstanding.
Frank Thacker
5 years ago
I have used many dentist in my 64yrs. Dr. Sims has pleased me more than any other. The implants are AWESOME and the procedure was relatively pain free... The fact that He thought of my procedure and personally called me at home just to check meant a lot to me... I believe He takes every patients procedure personally and truly cares for their well being.... Thank You Dr. Sims for making my life better....
David Nilsen
6 years ago
I had 3 implants 1 year ago and now I am going to get 2-3 more. You will not find a better Dental office for all your implant and periodontist needs. I only rated Dr. Sims with 5 stars because that was the limit. It will not take you long to know you have made a good choice. It is a Joy going to their office not a word you generally associate with the dentist. I pass by many Periodontist in my 1.5 hour trip and its worth every minute. As a bonus the Staff is outstanding.
Frank Thacker
6 years ago
I have used many dentist in my 64yrs. Dr. Sims has pleased me more than any other. The implants are AWESOME and the procedure was relatively pain free... The fact that He thought of my procedure and personally called me at home just to check meant a lot to me... I believe He takes every patients procedure personally and truly cares for their well being.... Thank You Dr. Sims for making my life better....
Load more