IV (Intravenous) Sedation Dental Treatment

Intravenous Conscious Sedation (aka “IV sedation”) is when a drug, usually of the anti-anxiety variety, is administered into the blood system during dental treatment.

What does it feel like? Will I be asleep?

A lot of dental offices and practices use terms such as “sleep dentistry” or “twilight sleep” when talking about IV sedation. This is confusing, because it suggests that IV sedation involves being put to sleep. These terms are more descriptive of deep sedation. Deep sedation isn’t commonly used (in the U.K. at least), and is classified as general anesthesia (even though sedation occurs on a continuum).
In reality, you remain conscious during conscious IV sedation. You will also be able to understand and respond to requests from your dentist.
However, you may not remember much (or anything at all) about what went on because of two things:

1. IV sedation induces a state of deep relaxation and a feeling of not being bothered by what’s going on
2. the drugs used for IV sedation produce either partial or full memory loss (amnesia) for the period of time when the drug first kicks in until it wears off. As a result, time will appear to pass very quickly and you will not recall much of what happened. Many people remember nothing at all. So it may, indeed, appear as if you were “asleep” during the procedure.

Read the full article at DentalFearCenteral.org

Dentist - Dr. Jerome Cutler

Highland Dental

3253 North Windsong Drive

Prescott Valley, AZ 86314

Telephone: (928) 775-7433

Stress & Oral Health

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about Stress and your Oral Health!

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Dentist - Dr. Jerome Cutler

Highland Dental

3253 North Windsong Drive

Prescott Valley, AZ 86314

Telephone: (928) 775-7433

IV Sedation Dentist Prescott Valley AZ

IV Sedation to Make Your Visit Completely Comfortable
For some patients, a dental appointment can be a difficult experience. Shots, drills, and treatments create anxiety for the dentally anxious. At our office, we relieve all your worry and fear and make treatments easy for you with IV sedation dentistry.
Our practice is one of the few in the state that is qualified to administer IV sedation. We also use nitrous oxide or laughing gas, when only lighter sedation is needed.

Dr. Cutler is certified to personally administer IV sedation, which makes this a very affordable option for you. IV sedation will provide you with the highest level of sedation and with the quickest time to take effect. It allows us to have more control over the level of your sedation, which is a big advantage over simply taking a pill. With this method most people won’t remember their procedure and time seems to fly by. An hour appointment will literally seem like two minutes. The medication is administered directly into the bloodstream, producing deep sedation and an unawareness of the procedure. The level of sedation is very accurate and safe, and you’ll have no memory of your visit. The technique can be used for long appointments that involve more extensive dental work, as well as to alleviate the concerns of fearful patients.
Throughout the procedure, your vital signs are monitored. And when your work is completed, you have a friend or family member drive you home. In about an hour, you will be back to normal.
It is our goal to have you comfortable and relaxed throughout your treatment. 

Dentist - Dr. Jerome Cutler

Highland Dental

3253 North Windsong Drive

Prescott Valley, AZ 86314

Telephone: (928) 775-7433

Periodontal Screening

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about Periodontal Screening!

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel. 

Dentist - Dr. Jerome Cutler

Highland Dental

3253 North Windsong Drive

Prescott Valley, AZ 86314

Telephone: (928) 775-7433

Tooth Cavities

Tooth cavities aren't uncommon - but with the right dental health know-how, you can help prevent them. It all starts with proper brushing, daily flossing, and fluoride. Get the details right here.

What Causes Tooth Cavities?
Cavities are holes in the teeth resulting from acid attack. They generally start in the enamel, but can spread to the softer inner layer of the tooth. Tooth cavities are caused by decay that can occur when foods containing carbohydrates become trapped between teeth, and are not completely removed with brushing and flossing. Bacteria living in the mouth digest these foods, generating acidic byproducts that can eat away at tooth enamel.

Help Prevent Tooth Cavities
Fluoride, which is found in most public drinking supplies, some mouth rinses, and Crest toothpastes, helps prevent tooth cavities by slowing the breakdown of enamel and speeding up the remineralization process. Check with your dental professional to see if your drinking water is fluoridated. If it isn't, he or she may recommend that you use high concentration fluoride treatments.

To help strengthen weak spots in tooth enamel, and help prevent the early stages of tooth decay, brush regularly with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss daily, and visit your dental office regularly for professional cleanings.

Above article from: Crest.com

 

Dentist - Dr. Jerome Cutler

Highland Dental

3253 North Windsong Drive

Prescott Valley, AZ 86314

Telephone: (928) 775-7433

What is Plaque?

Plaque is a sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that is constantly forming on the tooth surface. Saliva, food and fluids combine to produce these deposits that collect where the teeth and gums meet. Plaque buildup is the primary factor in periodontal (gum) disease, including gingivitis.

How to Get Rid of Plaque
To help prevent plaque buildup, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day with an anti-plaque toothpaste such as Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste for around the clock protection against plaque buildup, and floss once a day.

Adding a mouth rinse such as Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection Rinse to your routine can help against plaque buildup, without the burning sensation of alcohol. Eating well-balanced meals and brushing after snacks will reduce the formation of plaque. Visit your dental office regularly for oral exams and cleanings, during which your dental professional will scrape away any accumulated plaque with a special instrument.

Above article from: Crest.com

Dentist - Dr. Jerome Cutler

Highland Dental

3253 North Windsong Drive

Prescott Valley, AZ 86314

Telephone: (928) 775-7433

Tartar

Tartar is a deposit that forms when plaque hardens on the tooth. Individuals vary greatly in their susceptibility to tartar buildup. For many, these deposits build up faster with age. Tartar is easily noticeable because of its yellow or brown color on teeth.

What Causes Tartar Buildup
When plaque accumulates and is not removed from teeth, it can harden and turn into tartar. Because tartar buildup bonds strongly to enamel, it can only be removed by a dental professional.

Help Prevent Tartar Buildup
While tartar can only be removed by a dental professional, you can avoid tartar buildup by removing plaque. To help prevent tartar, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice daily, preferably with a tartar-control fluoride toothpaste like many from Crest, and floss once a day with a product like GlideÆ. And visit your dental office regularly for oral exams and cleanings.

Above article from: Crest.com

Dentist - Dr. Jerome Cutler

Highland Dental

3253 North Windsong Drive

Prescott Valley, AZ 86314

Telephone: (928) 775-7433