Galleria Dental Aesthetics | Dental Blog
Northern Virginia, including Arlington and Alexandria
Archive for September, 2011
Will I Need a Ride Home after Sedation Dentistry?
Friday, September 30th, 2011
Sedation dentistry will require you to arrange a ride home regardless of whether you are receiving sedation orally or through an IV. The effects of sedation may last for several hours, and your drowsiness will make it unsafe for you to drive. You may also want to arrange for someone to be with you at home until you are feeling normal again.
Another way to plan for your appointment includes preparing your home for your return. You may want to set up an area to rest comfortably. If you are having major dental work done like a dental implant, you may want to stock up on soft foods that will be ready for you when you get home.
The following day you most likely will not experience any lingering effects from the sedation. The majority of patients feel fully recovered the next day.
At Galleria Dental Aesthetics, we want to ensure that your dental visit is enjoyable, and that fear or anxiety does not prevent you from receiving dental care.
Please contact the experienced Northern Virginia sedation dentists at Galleria Dental Aesthetics to schedule a consultation.
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Which Dental Procedures can Sedation be used for?
Monday, September 26th, 2011
Sedation dentistry is a way to let you feel comfortable no matter what dental procedure you are receiving. Sedation can be used across the spectrum of dental procedures, from routine cleanings to dental implants.
Determining if sedation dentistry is right for your dental procedure depends entirely on your preference. If your fear or anxiety is preventing you from receiving the procedure, then sedation dentistry may be the right solution for you. Other reasons to consider sedation include:
- Past traumatic dental experience
- Anxiety or fear associated with the dentist
- Discomfort or pain from sitting through a dental appointment
- Dental anesthetics do not numb you adequately
- Uncomfortable tooth sensitivity during dental visits
While you are sedated, you will be fully awake and able to communicate with the staff and the dentist, but you will have no memory of the procedure afterwards. Sedation dentistry allows you to be in a relaxed state for hours, so you can have multiple procedures completed in one visit without feeling uncomfortable.
To determine if sedation dentistry is right for you, please contact the Alexandria, Virginia sedation dentists at Galleria Dental Aesthetics.
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How Often Can I Whiten My Teeth?
Thursday, September 22nd, 2011
Excessive teeth whitening can weaken tooth enamel, resulting in tooth sensitivity. Fortunately, our whitening system achieves lasting results. Results from ZOOM!, our high concentration whitening system, can last years depending on your dietary habits and other factors such as smoking. A re-treatment every year or two is safe for most patients.
You can use at-home trays for monthly touch-ups if needed. Galleria Dental Aesthetics offers two teeth whitening options. You can receive your treatment at our offices, or you can take customized trays home with you. Results from the trays typically take up to two weeks, but a ZOOM! whitening in our office provides immediate results in 45 minutes. If you choose to receive the in-office whitening, we can also provide you with at-home trays that can be used for touchups.
You can extend the results of your tooth whitening by visiting the dentist regularly for cleanings, and by brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day. Beverages like coffee, tea and red wine stain teeth, but you can either brush your teeth after drinking these beverages or cut back on your consumption of them.
For teeth whitening in McLean, Virginia, please contact the experienced dental staff at Galleria Dental Aesthetics today.
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How Do At-Home Whitening Treatments Work?
Monday, September 19th, 2011
At Galleria Dental Aesthetics, we offer two convenient tooth whitening options. For at-home teeth whitening, we will provide you with mouth trays that are customized to fit your teeth. The trays contain whitening gel, and you use the trays once a day, usually nightly, to brighten your teeth in the comfort of your home.
Depending on which tooth whitening option you choose, the time it takes to see results will vary. The at-home whitening system requires up to two weeks before you will see a difference, while the in-office treatment provides immediate results after only 45 minutes.
There are advantages to both options. If you do not mind the extra time that at-home treatments require, then this may be the most comfortable way for you to whiten your teeth. Because the trays are custom-made for your teeth, the bleaching gel will be able to reach all visible aspects of your tooth surface. Over-the-counter teeth whitening systems that you buy from the grocery store do not offer the benefit of reaching all noticeable surfaces of your teeth.
If you have your teeth whitened in our office, you may experience superior results. The advantage to an in-office whitening is that a trained professional can make sure that the all the surfaces of your teeth are evenly treated, including in between the teeth. Our office uses a whitening system which only a professional can administer and which breaks up stains and discoloration using ZOOM!, a high concentration gel with a buffering agent to reduce sensitivity and an LED light.
For tooth whitening in McLean, Virginia, please contact Galleria Dental Aesthetics today.
Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry | No Comments »
