Emergency Dentistry.

Root Canals.

When a tooth has a deep cavity or suffers a trauma, the nerve of the tooth may go through the process of dying. If left untreated, an infection will occur, and an abscess may form. If the infected tissue is not removed, pain and swelling can result. This not only affects the specific tooth, but can be detrimental to your overall health. Root canal therapy involves removing the affected pulp tissue by cleaning the interior of the tooth and root. The root space is then sealed with a sterile filling material called gutta percha to prevent recontamination. The final step usually involves placing a crown over the tooth to reinforce its structure. This process can take anywhere from one to three visits. Although this procedure has a notoriously bad reputation, it is actually a mostly painless process! Your tooth is numbed with local anesthetic to make sure that you are comfortable throughout the appointment. You may experience mild postoperative soreness, but this can be effectively alleviated with over-the-counter pain medications.

Extractions.

There are times when it is necessary or indicated to remove a tooth. Indications vary from retained baby teeth, broken teeth due to decay, infected teeth due to gum disease, to many others. The two most common types of extractions are routine extractions and surgical extractions. Routine extractions are also referred to as “simple” extractions; whereby the tooth is removed in one piece in a simple fashion. If an extraction requires the removal of a tooth in pieces or with the removal of bone, it may be labeled as a “surgical” extraction. In any case, our team will explain each step of the procedure and offer sedation options if desired. Our goal is to make sure that you are comfortable before, during, and after the procedure. We will outline detailed post-operative instructions to aid in your healing process.

Sedation Options.

At Verde River Dental, we understand that going to the dentist can cause anxiety; which is a normal and common reaction for many people. If not addressed, it can lead to unnecessary oral health problems as a result of avoidance behavior. However, there are ways that we can help to alleviate this anxiety. Talk with our team. We can help dispel any negative or frightening perceptions you may have. Avoid caffeine and sugar before dental appointments. It may also help to schedule your appointments earlier in the day. There are also different types of sedation options to help further: Nitrous Oxide is an inhaled mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen gases that is administered through a rubber device that fits over your nose. It is a mild relaxant that is easily titratable so that recovery is quick. Oral Sedatives are indicated for some patients as another alternative to address mild to moderate anxiety. We usually recommend that the patient take one dose the night before their appointment to give a good night’s sleep; followed by a second dose to be taken one hour prior to your dental appointment. The patient must have a driver accompany them to and from the appointment. If a patient requires further sedation options, a referral can be given to a specialist in the area that can administer IV sedation or General anesthesia for dental appointments.