Rather than resting on the gum tissue like removable dentures, or using near by teeth as anchors for fixed bridges, dental implants are long-term replacements that your doctor places in your jaw bone.

Technology has evolved to the point where these patients have alternative treatments outside of dentures or fixed bridges. Dentures and fixed bridges tend to have problems associated with them as time goes on. Dentures can become loose and make embarrassing clicking sounds when people talk or eat. They can also lead to bone loss. Fixed bridges can affect the adjacent teeth that are healthy. This does not mean that a denture or a fixed bridge is not a good option. They are both very good and appropriate options. However, the research and science has clearly shown dental implants to be a much better long-term treatment for the patient.

Dental implants are long-term replacements that your doctor surgically places in the jawbone. These dental implants are composed of titanium metal that fuses with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. These implants never slip or make embarrassing noises that show the world that you have false teeth, and because they are made of titanium, you do not have to worry about decay like you see with fixed bridges. Also, given the fact that the titanium is surgically inserted into your jawbone you will typically not have an issue with bone loss.

Dental implants have been around for a while now. Doctors have been placing them for over 20 years and the best part is that most of the implants that were placed in the late 80s and early 90s are still operating at peak performance. If properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime.

Many people avoid going to the dentist because they experienced traumatic care as a child, suffered painful procedures as an adult, or are influenced by the stereotypes they see on TV and movies. Even when they experience warning signs like pain in the mouth, many people avoid seeking treatment because of the fear they experience. At our office we understand these feelings and want to help. Whether you just need a routine cleaning or a brand-new smile, we offer sedation dentistry to make your experience comfortable and relaxing.

Sedation dentistry is used by many dentists to provide a relaxing, calming experience for patients who are afraid of going to the dentist and/or having dental procedures performed. There are many forms of sedation that can be administered in a variety of ways such as intravenous (IV) sedation, oral sedation, or nitrous oxide (laughing gas). This variety of sedation methods offers our dentists the flexibility of three levels of sedation minimal, moderate, and deep depending on the level of anxiety the patient experiences.

Minimal sedation relieves the anxiety patients feel before and during their dental exam. However, minimal sedation allows patients to respond verbally and physically to the dentists directions. The patient will be awake but calm and may remember parts of the experience after the procedure is completed.

Moderate, or conscious, sedation relaxes the patient even more, but the patient will only be able to respond to a larger stimulus in his environment. The patient will likely slur their words and will most likely not remember anything about the procedure.

Deep sedation is reserved for those with a deep-seated fear and aversion to the dentists office. Deep sedation puts the patient on the edge of consciousness but he/she can still be awakened. When a patient is put under deep sedation, he does not usually show any signs of comprehension or recognition to anything that is occurring. The patient will not remember anything about the experience.

Nitrous oxide has been a mainstay of sedation dentistry for decades and is still the most frequently employed sedation technique today. Commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is used by more than 35% of all U.S. dentists.

Nitrous oxide is commonly used because within 5 minutes of inhaling the colorless, odorless gas pain is neutralized and a euphoric feeling spreads through the body. Within minutes, the dental procedure can begin and the patient will be completely relaxed. Nitrous oxide allows the dentist to alter the depth of sedation from minute to minute, making the experience pain and fear free.

After the gas is stopped, the patient will return to normal within minutes. You will be able to safely drive yourself home and will not need an escort. And, nitrous oxide is very safe; there are relatively few side effects and the drugs have no effect on the major organs.

IV Conscious Sedation is an effective technique for managing moderate to severe dental anxiety. While not as readily available in most dental offices, we believe it is a valuable tool for ensuring a patients complete relaxation during a procedure they would not ordinarily have had done due to extreme fear.

Prior to the procedure, drugs are administered intravenously. Drugs administered by IV are far more effective than those taken orally because the doctor can control exactly how much is administered directly into the blood stream.

During the procedure, monitoring devices are placed on the patient to monitor their heart rate, blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, and breathing. The patient will sleep through the whole procedure, but will respond to directions given by the dentist.However, the medications administered during IV conscious sedation leave the patient with amnesia of the procedure. The patient will remember nothing about their experience!

Lidocaine is the most common local anesthetic used in dentistry, however, there are many others. All types of numbing drugs are combined with other medications to make the numbing last longer. Numbing usually lasts several hours but wears off over time.

We appreciate the opportunity to provideyou with the best dental service. The greatestobstacles to good dental health are apprehension,fear and confusion. We want you to know aboutour policies and methods of practice. The moreyou know, the more we can be of service.Our goal is to restore and maintain your oralhealth in the most efficient, effective and painlessmanner. We employ current techniques tominimize discomfort.

We are a proud member of the Summerville community. As an office and as individuals, we strive to serve those in need in our community and to improve the lives of everyone we meet. Recently, our teamparticipated in the Race for the ARK on August 25, 2012 in Summerville, SC. We were proud to help raise money for such a deserving cause.

Fortunately, periodontal care rarelyinvolves emergency visits; however, if you dohave a problem, please call us as early in theday as possible. If a problem arises when theoffice is closed, the answering service willforward your message to the doctor or anassociate who is on call.