Dentist in Wabash

---

 The term “family dentistry” refers to a dental practice that addresses oral health at all stages of life. A good family dentist specializes in a range of dental services, from the usual dental cleanings and fillings to more specialized procedures such as sealants, tooth replacement, crowns and bridges, and so on.

Some family dentistry practices also combine with other services. For example, it is not unusual to find a practice specializing in “family and cosmetic dentistry.” This is good, as it means you can get more services under one roof, from a healthcare provider you already trust.

Children have very different dental needs than adults. So, it makes sense to have your children visit a dentist who is aware of these needs and experienced working with children.

A family dentist, like Dr. G, cares for oral health at all stages of life. This means that you and your children can stay with our dentists or group of dental specialists throughout your lives. At LADD Dental Group, we can provide care for your children’s teeth as they grow into adulthood, meaning they will never have to switch dentists. 

With advanced technology and deeper dental knowledge, there are more cosmetic dental procedures available now than ever before. More and more ways are being discovered to treat different dental imperfections.

If you’re not familiar with cosmetic dentistry, below are the most common procedures patients get in order to get the best smile possible. Some of the most common procedures Dr. G provides at her office in Wabash are: 

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening (or bleaching) is the most common and basic of cosmetic dental procedures. There are many teeth whitening options available including at-home and in-office whitening. The teeth whitening done by a dentist yields immediate, longer-lasting results than the at-home versions. This is because the dentist uses a highly concentrated whitening agent that is greater than the other at-home options.

Teeth whitening is a popular procedure because a white smile looks beautiful, healthy and confident. The foods and drinks as well as tobacco that are present, however, stain and discolor teeth, resulting in an unpleasant smile.

Dental Veneers

Made popular by their wide use by celebrities, veneers are another common cosmetic dental procedure that fixes a patient’s dental imperfections and gives them the perfect smile they’ve always wanted.

Veneers are thin pieces of ceramic that are placed over and bonded to the front of a tooth. Veneers can treat a variety of dental issues that cause aesthetic concerns including jagged, cracked, chipped or serrated teeth as well as crooked teeth, misshapen teeth and to fill in embarrassing gaps between teeth.

Veneers are custom made for each patient and their specific tooth. The veneer is securely attached to the front of the tooth. Like crowns, the color of the veneers are carefully selected to match the color of the patient’s natural teeth. 

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are similar to fillings in that the concept and purpose are almost identical. Inlays and onlays are sometimes called “indirect fillings.” These kinds of cosmetic dental procedures are best for patients who don’t have enough tooth surface or stability to support fillings. 

Composite Bonding

Composite bonding, also called plain bonding, is used to repair discolored, decayed or damaged teeth by drilling holes in the tooth to remove decay and then filling the hole with a special type of bonding that resembles the color of tooth enamel. The tooth is sculpted and reshaped using a high-intensity curing light. With composite bonding, patients with crooked, misshapen, jagged teeth can enjoy a beautiful smile.

There are many kinds of cosmetic dental procedures out there. In fact, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you and which h one will give you the results want. Contact Dr. G and her Wabash dental team today to schedule an appointment where we can discuss your cosmetic dental needs and wants and show you the best options to meet your preferences and goals for your smile. 

Sedation dentistry in Wabash: 

 "Conscious sedation dentistry, also known as procedural sedation and analgesia, is the procedure whereby sedatives are administered before a dental procedure to help you relax. You remain awake and responsive during your dental treatment, and you won’t feel any pain. The sedative just helps ease dental fear, so you get comfortably through your procedure.Dental fear and anxiety keeps millions of people away from the dental office every year. For them, local anesthesia isn’t enough because while it numbs the pain, it does nothing to minimize the fear and other psychological factors that patients away from their dentists. Many dentists use conscious sedation as a way to put patients at ease during dental treatment. 

Most forms of conscious sedation are considered "light" or "moderate".  But conscious sedation is also referred to as sleep dentistry despite most patients remaining awake during their procedures. There are different types of sedation dentistry available for treating different levels of dental anxiety.  Each of these options puts you in varied states of relaxation:Light Sedation – You are minimally sedated. You will be able to  relax while remaining awake and alert.Moderate Sedation – You remain conscious during the procedure, but afterward you likely won't remember much about it. You’ll be able to communicate, and you may slur your words and feel groggy. Some patients fall asleep with moderate sedation, but wake up easily.Deep Sedation – Deep sedation is usually not categorized as conscious sedation. Under deep sedation, most patients are either semi- or completely unconscious while their dentist works. With deep sedation, you will not regain consciousness until the drug wears off or is reversed, and it will take you longer to recover from the effects of the sedation. 

There are several options for how your dentist will administer conscious sedation:Inhalation Sedation -- Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is  a light form of dental sedation. Your dentist will administer the nitrous oxide through a mask that's placed over your nose. As the gas is inhaled through the nose, you perceive less pain and experience feeling of euphoria. Once the procedure is over, the nitrous oxide wears off almost immediately with virtually no effects or recovery time.Oral Sedation -- Depending on the strength of the prescription, oral medication produces a light to moderate level of  sedation.  Oral sedation usually comes in the form of a pill, and is taken an hour before the procedure. Although you'll be able to respond to your dentist, you may feel sleepy. With this option, recovery time will be longer, and you won’t be able to drive from your appointment.  Some uncommon side effects are nausea and vomiting.IV Sedation -- Like oral sedation, IV sedation is considered moderate and has a longer recovery time. Since the sedatives are delivered intravenously, the effects are felt much sooner. IV sedation also allows your dentist to adjust the level of sedation needed during the procedure. 

General anesthesia is a form of deep sedation, and it is the only dental sedation that puts you to sleep, so it isn’t included on the conscious sedation list. The thought of sleeping through the entire dental visit is intriguing to some, but before you decide to use general anesthesia to treat your dental fear, you should understand all that it entails.General anesthesia can only be administered by an anesthesiologist, dental anesthesiologist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon. If your general or cosmetic dentist doesn't have the facilities or certification needed for general anesthesia -- and most don't -- you may need to have your work done in a hospital, which can significantly increase costs.There are also certain risks involved with general anesthesia that aren't present with conscious sedation dentistry, like the need for assisted breathing.  General anesthesia may be an option for those who don't respond to conscious sedation, need extensive dental work, or because of mental or emotional constraints are unable to understand the nature of their dental visits. 

The medications used for conscious sedation don’t contain painkillers, so it’s likely you will need a local anesthetic during your dental procedure. Conscious sedation can ease the  fear of needles so you can relax while your dentist easily administers shots of Novocain. 

Conscious sedation is considered safe. As with any medicine, there are risk factors. To ensure your safety, dental sedatives should only be administered by trained professionals. Your dentist will consider your overall health when choosing a form of conscious sedation. To avoid any complications, be sure to provide the dental office with your medical history and any medications you're taking.Conscious sedation can help you ease your mind, and get rid of anxiety, so you can focus on your dental health, not the discomfort associated with it. If you're afraid, anxious, or apprehensive, let your dentist know-- he or she will choose the right form of dental sedation for you. All of this info and more can be found at https://www.1800dentist.com/dental-treatments/conscious-sedation/" Here at LADD Dental Group, we offer all forms of sedation dentistry, including IV Sedation. Our team of highly trained dentistsand dental specialists want to provide you with the individualized dental care you deserve! It makes us unique that we are able to offer all forms of sedation to our patients, but that's what we mean when we talk about truly comprehensive dental care. Give us a call today, and experience the LADD Dental Difference!