So what is it like to have a dental implant placed? This short video shows a man from Wheaton describing how it was to have the dental implant surgically placed, ant the subsequent crown placed.
His dental implants were placed using the more modern “flapless” approach, vs. the older method where the gums had to be “pulled back” to place the dental implants. Most patients report that they “just took a couple of asprin that night,” or “their dental implants were painless.” Better methods of pain control and surgical technique have greatly diminished pain and discomfort in dental implant surgery. This case was for a single dental implant crown to avoid having a dental bridge. More involved cases now utilize complex CT scans and imaging software to use this “flapless” approach.
Sedation & Comfort Options
March 29, 2010
March 28, 2010
March 27, 2010
October 23, 2009
Is there a “Cookie-Cutter” Solution for Dental Fear & Anxiety?
Of course not! Here is an example; Marsha V. from Naperville came in about 2 months ago. Her dental needs were extensive and had significant with difficulty sleeping last for over 3 months before coming into the office. We discussed all alternatives for both treatment and dental comfort. Marsha needed 8 crowns, 2 roots canals, 2 extractions, and several filling immediately.
She had delayed treatment for many many years with a high fear quotient. She wanted to try oral pill sedation.
Here’s the problem. After the traditional protocol of oral sedation was started, Marsha did NOT feel comfortable with starting the appointment. Her response was “I wanted to be less aware than this—can you give me more medicine?” The problem with being insufficiently comfortable with oral sedation is it takes 45-60 minutes for next dose to take effect. Then there is too little time to complete the treatment.
We decided to start IV sedation. The effect was immediate and we were able to complete treatment as planned. What would have been adequate oral medicine for many patients was completely insufficient for her.
But that was for extensive treatment. For her next cementation visit, we were able to finish with simple oral sedation. So here is another story of different protocols for different visits. EVERY PATIENT AND EVERY APPOINTMENT MUST BE CALIBRATED FOR INDIVIVUAL NEEDS AT ALL TIMES. Having all options is the key to providing this option.
Bio of Dr. Thomas R. Gibbs, DDS, FAGD, FDOCS, FICOI
Dr. Gibbs graduated at the University of Illinois School of Dentistry in 1980. He holds memberships in the: American Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
He is one of the earliest members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and has had training at some of the most prestigious training institutes such as the L.D. Panky Institute for Advanced Education, California Implant Institute, Misch International Implant Institute, and the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI).
He also has earned honorary fellowships in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (FICOI). In 2007 Dr. Gibbs achieved another honorary designation by receiving his certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). This, along with substantial advanced education and case submission for pier review, has earned him an additional fellowship in the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (FDOCS).
He provides general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, sedation services, and dental implants.
June 07, 2009
March 18, 2009
Dental Sedation Safety--IV Sedation, Oral sedation, Patient Safety
The Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation just completed its first annual Sedation Dentistry Safety Week!
This is important as patient safety should always be first priority in
patient care. Topics included "The Sedation Dentist Safety
Checklist." There are many things that all competent sedation dentists should do (and you should make certain that your dentist is doing).
1) Upmost is training. The doctor should be trained minimally in
oral conscious sedation by a competent organization. To be more
certain about sedation effectiveness, the doctor should be trained in
IV sedation and properly certified to perform these services. We
HIGHLY recommend that the patient verify the training of the provider.
2) Equally important is continuing education. Medicine, pharmacology,
and dentistry are constantly evolving and the education must be updated!
3) The staff should also be trained not only in life support, but in
emergency procedures. Monthly training should continue to assure that
skills are “kept sharp.” We have our staff trained with IMEP—the Institute of Medical Emergency Preparedness, which also send out monthly office "drills" to keep skills up-to-date.
4) The doctor should also maintain his skills in emergency medicine.
I would recommend for most to have their ACLS certification (advanced
cardiac life support certification)
. Group such as American Dental Society of Anesthesiology also have advanced traing and even "human simulation" training for sedation dentistry doctors.
5) Second the office should have the proper medications to use as needed—and they need to be up to date (not expired).
6) The patient’s medications may need to researched to verify that no
drug interactions exist that may preclude a safe and effective visit.
7) Certain equipment is essential to monitor the patient’s condition during the entire procedure and during
recovery. Most essential is the pulse-oximeter which monitors the
pulse, blood oxygen, and blood pressure. Many of the worse “accidents”
have occurred when these simple vital signs are not carefully monitored.
8) Keeping the patient’s medical history completely updated so that the proper protocols are maintained at all times.
9) Working with the patient’s physician as needed to verify and clarify the patient’s needs and condition.
10) Should the patient’s physical or mental condition not be suitable for in-office sedation, the proper referrals to hospital or physician assisted procedures must be performed.
Patient’s have the right to speak freely to their health care providers about their concerns and safety.
Dr. Gibbs provides sedation dentistry, comfortable dentistry,
implant dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry for patients in the Chicago
area. He sees patients from Wheaton, Naperville, Lisle, Glendale
Heights, Lombard, Schaumburg, Roselle, Elmhurst, Chicago, Hoffman
Estates, Warrenville, and Downers Grove. Contact us at SmileGlenEllyn.com Also visit us for information on implants and relaxed sedation dentistry at YouTube LiveWithoutDentures He also publishes a separate informational websie on dental implants at chicagoimplantdentistry.com
March 07, 2009
December 17, 2008
November 30, 2008
Dental Laser for Comfort, Fearful Patients, Gum Lifts (gummy smile), Root
Laser-energized water (Hydrokinetics™) gently washes away tooth decay with incredible accuracy. The dental laser can replace the drill in most dental procedures and treatments. The Waterlase Dentist Laser used by Dr. Gibbs does away with the whine of the drill and smell of drilled enamel. Because Dr. Gibbs uses a laser, there is no heat or vibration reducing the dependence on needles and anesthesia.waterlase laser This comes closer to the ideal in dentistry of “painless!” The the no-pain, no-drill Waterlase can be used for:
* Root Canals
* Decay Removal
* Cavity Preparation
* Smile Design
* General soft tissue procedures
* General dentistry for enamel and dentin
In addition to the Waterlase laser, the doctors at SmileGlenEllyn use a laser for some tooth whitening, soft tissue "gum lifts" and gum recontouring, and cavity dection! This is truely technology for YOUR advantage and COMFORT!
Also visit us for information on implants and relaxed sedation dentistry at YouTube LiveWithoutDentures See our dental implant site at SmileGlenEllyn.com, and visit other blog articles in this site. Dr. Gibbs provides sedation dentistry, comfort based dentistry, implant dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry for patients in the Chicago area. This includes Wheaton, West Chicago, Naperville, Lisle, Glendale Heights, Lombard, Schaumburg, Roselle, Elmhurst, Chicago, Hoffman Estates, Warrenville, and Downers Grove. Contact us at LivewithoutDentures.com.
