Improving Patient Experiences with Sedation Dentistry

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When it comes to visiting the dentist, many patients face crippling anxiety that may cause them to avoid getting the dental care they need. This anxiety can be brought on by many things, including a fear of pain or negative past experiences. Dr. Mitchell and his team are dedicated to helping patients have safe, positive and comfortable experiences at Mitchell Dental Studio. In some cases sedation dentistry may be offered as an option to help achieve this goal.

What Is Dental Anxiety?

Dental anxiety describes feelings of fear or general unease that arise in a dental setting. This emotion can lead individuals to postpone or completely avoid necessary dental care which can significantly jeopardize dental health or lead to more pain or more costly treatment becoming necessary. Common triggers for dental anxiety include, the sound of dental drills, dental injections or simply the dental environment itself.

In more severe cases, dental anxiety can escalate into an irrational fear known as dental phobia. Several mental health conditions can also raise the risk that an individual will experience dental anxiety.

Overcoming Dental Anxiety with Sedation Dentistry

Nitrous Oxide: This type of sedation is referred to as “laughing gas” due to the pleasant sensation it creates in some patients. It involves wearing a mask through which a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide is inhaled. Its effects are typically felt within a few minutes and wear off quickly. Under this type of sedation, patients remain awake and responsive to instructions and they are able to drive themselves to and from their appointments. Patients using Nitrous Oxide are able to resume normal activities immediately following the procedure.

Oral Sedation: Some patients benefit from taking medication in the form of a small pill prior to their procedure. The medication is commonly taken approximately one hour before the scheduled dental appointment. It is important to note that patients using this type of sedation will need someone to accompany them to and from the dental visit as they will not be able to drive while taking this medication.

General Anesthesia/ IV Sedation: In certain cases, such as when treating young children, individuals with special needs, or those with severe dental anxiety, general anesthesia may be deemed necessary. General anesthesia involves a form of unconscious sedation, meaning that the patient will be completely unconscious throughout the dental procedure and will need a ride home. This is most commonly done in a hospital setting.

Schedule Your Appointment

Do not let dental anxiety prevent you from visiting the dentist. At Mitchell Dental Studio, you can undergo dental treatments in a relaxed manner free from stress and pain. Contact us today to book an appointment where we can determine if sedation dentistry is right for you.

Conditions that May Require Oral Surgery

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Some dental issues need more than a routine checkup and teeth cleaning. Complex dental problems require a specialized approach — sometimes, oral surgery.

At Mitchell Dental Studio in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, talented dentist Dr. Evan Mitchell has high-level training in oral surgery. Repeatedly named a “Top Dentist,” Dr. Mitchell is known for his dedication to comprehensive patient care and unique expertise in oral surgery.

If you’re wondering whether you need oral surgery, it’s important to understand the conditions often requiring this type of treatment.

Common Conditions Requiring Oral Surgery

We may recommend oral surgery for the following conditions:

  • Impacted Wisdom Teeth: When wisdom teeth are trapped under your molars, they can’t erupt. This can cause pain and may also damage your molars (and, in turn, your other teeth). Wisdom teeth removal solves those problems.
  • TMJ Disorders: With TMJ disorders, the joint connecting the jaw doesn’t work as it should. This can cause jaw pain, clicking, or difficulty chewing. Oral surgery can correct the position of this joint and realign the teeth to ease symptoms.
  • Oral Trauma: Traumatic injuries to the mouth, like broken teeth, may require surgery, such as tooth reimplantation or jawbone repair.
  • Damaged Teeth: Teeth that are damaged or decayed beyond repair may require surgical extraction.
  • Oral Cancer: Cancerous growths or lesions in and around the mouth are easiest to treat in the early stages, usually through surgical removal. Dr. Mitchell screens for signs of oral cancer during dental checkups to identify such problems in their earliest forms.
  • Damaged Pulp: Once infected or badly damaged, the tooth pulp (the soft tissues inside the teeth) can’t repair itself. Oral surgery can treat the problem from inside the tooth. In many cases, it might save the tooth from extraction.
  • Missing Tooth: After losing a tooth, replacement is vital in preserving your bite and oral health. Dental implant surgery gives you a highly durable replacement tooth anchored to your jaw.
  • Sleep Apnea: When sleep apnea doesn’t improve with conservative care, oral surgery can help by removing the tissue blocking your breathing at night.

These are only some of the situations that could require oral surgery. While surgery is always a last resort, sometimes it’s the best path forward for challenging health issues. Oral surgery can provide far better outcomes than would otherwise be possible for many patients.

Oral Surgery with a Rio Rancho Expert

If you’re experiencing challenging oral or general health problems and conservative treatments aren’t helping, oral surgery could be right for you. Call Mitchell Dental Studio at 505-898-6000 to book your consultation and take the first step toward restoring your oral health.

How to Identify a Dental Emergency

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Dental issues can arise at any time, but not all require immediate attention. Knowing the difference between a minor issue and an emergency situation can help safeguard your health and save your smile.

At Mitchell Dental Studio, Dr. Evan Mitchell provides expert care for dental emergencies. With advanced training in restorative dentistry, endodontics, and oral surgery, Dr. Mitchell is well-equipped to handle urgent dental situations of all types.

He leads our compassionate team in responding to dental emergencies and ensuring our patients get the highest standard of care when they’re in the most stressful situations.

If you’re worried about what to do in a dental emergency, understanding how to recognize one is the first step. In this blog, we’ll guide you on identifying when you need urgent dental care and what situations may require a visit to our Rio Rancho office immediately.

Identifying Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies are oral health issues requiring immediate care to relieve pain, stop bleeding, or prevent tooth loss.

Many different situations fall under these general categories, with some of the most common dental emergencies being severe toothaches and cracked, broken, or knocked-out teeth. If you have any of those problems and aren’t sure whether it’s an emergency, reach out to us right away.

What To Do in Dental Emergencies

In a dental emergency, we recommend calling us immediately and taking a few steps to protect your oral health until you get to our office.

  • Severe Toothache: Rinse your mouth gently with lukewarm water for severe tooth pain. Use dental floss to remove food between the teeth (sometimes it’s the root source of the pain). Finally, place a cold compress against your face (not inside your mouth) to help ease pain and reduce swelling.
  • Knocked-Out Tooth: Recover the tooth, rinse it, and try to reinsert it. If that’s impossible, store it in a glass of regular (not skim or reduced fat) cow’s milk. The American Dental Association (ADA) also recommends using tooth preservation products bearing the ADA seal of approval.
  • Cracked or Broken Tooth: Save any loose pieces of the tooth and rinse your mouth. If you’re bleeding, lightly apply gauze and use a cold compress to stop swelling.
  • Partially Dislodged Tooth: Apply a cold compress and don’t remove the tooth.
  • Dental Abscess: Rinse with warm salt water. Apply a cold compress to your jaw and take over-the-counter pain relievers to ease pain until you reach our office.

 

Our office is fully equipped to handle these and other dental emergencies like lost fillings and broken crowns.

Immediate Care for Dental Emergencies in NM

At Mitchell Dental Studio, we prioritize emergency cases, fitting them into our schedule right away so you can get relief and protect your oral health. Dr. Mitchell’s expertise in sedation dentistry and oral surgery ensures that you receive comprehensive care in a comfortable setting.

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, don’t wait. Contact us now at 505-898-6000 for expert emergency dental care.

Tips for Keeping Your Gums Healthy

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Good gum health plays a vital role in your overall well-being. Gum disease can lead to gum recession, tooth loss, and bone loss in the jaw if untreated.

Worse yet, it increases your risk for other health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Also, recent studies show that people with untreated gum disease have a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Prevention is key to avoiding these serious health problems. You can protect your gums and enjoy a healthier smile by adopting good habits now.

At Mitchell Dental Studio in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Dr. Evan Mitchell is committed to helping patients of all ages maintain optimal gum health. Having grown up in Albuquerque, Dr. Mitchell is passionate about providing top-tier dental care for our community.

Dr. Mitchell and our experienced team encourage regular checkups and professional cleanings, but there are also everyday habits that you can adopt to help prevent gum disease. Here are some practical tips for keeping your gums healthy.

Brush and Floss Regularly

Brushing and flossing are the cornerstones of good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste removes plaque from the surfaces of your teeth.

Don’t forget to floss daily to remove plaque between your teeth and under the gum line, where your toothbrush can’t reach. By keeping plaque at bay, you prevent tartar accumulation and reduce the risk of both tooth decay and gum disease.

Use an Antimicrobial Mouthwash

An antimicrobial mouthwash can further reduce bacteria and plaque buildup in your mouth. It can get into the tiny crevices that you might not be able to easily reach with brushing and flossing for a more complete cleaning.

This step helps keep your gums healthier and also freshens your breath. By incorporating mouthwash into your daily routine, you add an extra layer of protection against the development of gum disease.

Schedule Regular Dental Visits

Regular professional cleanings and checkups are essential for catching any early signs of gum disease. These appointments, which we often schedule together, can help you take action early if you’re at risk for (or already have) gum disease.

Dr. Mitchell recommends a personalized dental exam and teeth cleaning schedule for you. Most patients need routine cleanings and checkups twice a year.

However, if you have an elevated risk of periodontal disease or have gum disease, you may need more frequent appointments. Dr. Mitchell may also recommend specialized deep teeth cleanings (scaling and root planing) that go below the gum line.

Dr. Mitchell and our team provide personalized advice to help keep your gums healthy now and for a lifetime.

Improve Your Gum Health and Avoid Gum Disease in Rio Rancho

If you’re concerned about gum disease and want to keep your gums in great shape, our team is here to help. Call our office at 505-898-6000 to schedule your appointment today.

What Can I Do About Chips or Gaps Between Teeth?

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Your smile is often one of the first things people notice about you. While we believe there’s nothing more beautiful than a healthy natural smile,  many of us notice things about our smile that we wish were different. A less than desirable smile can impact your health and confidence. If you are someone who would like to enhance your smile, our team is ready to help you achieve the smile of your dreams through a range of cosmetic options.

About Your Smile

Your smile can be affected by a wide range of factors: your genetics, how your teeth formed during development, thumb sucking at an early age, chewing on objects, the things you eat and drink and your oral hygiene. Dental trauma, for instance, can lead to fractures and cracks in your teeth. Sometimes we aren’t even aware of the cause, such as with unconscious teeth grinding during sleep or periods of stress. This can weaken the teeth’s structure, making them prone to stress fractures.

While gaps between teeth typically do not impact the health of your teeth, they can be a cosmetic concern. The good news is that you do not have to live with them! While orthodontics is often recommended, procedures such as dental bonding, crowns, and veneers are available to help close unflattering spaces between the teeth, leading to a more aesthetically pleasing smile.

Veneers

Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are expertly designed to correct imperfections and enhance the appearance of your teeth by changing the tooth’s size, shape and color. By using porcelain, which is regarded for its ability to mimic the color and translucence of natural teeth, veneers provide patients with a significantly improved and beautiful smile.

Dental Bonding

For patients seeking a a more conservative improvement in their smiles, dental bonding can be a beneficial option. This cosmetic procedure involves applying tooth-colored composite resin onto the teeth to enhance their aesthetic appeal. Dental bonding is particularly useful for addressing small chips and closing minor gaps between the teeth, but it can also result in a whiter smile. Often times dental bonding can be completed in one visit!

While patients contemplating dental bonding may be exploring veneers, it is important to understand the distinction between the two treatments. Although both aim to enhance your smile, bonding preserves more natural tooth structure and can also be removed or replaced more easily.

Crowns

Crowns can improve the strength and appearance of fractured, chipped, or broken teeth. The durable material used for crowns is carefully matched to your natural teeth, ensuring a permanent solution and a lasting result.

Meet with Dr. Mitchell

When you visit our office, Dr. Mitchell and his dedicated staff will work with you to develop a plan as unique as you are to address your specific concerns, whether it’s discoloration, misalignment, or gaps. We’re excited to help you learn more about how these options can elevate your smile and boost your confidence.

Don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation at Mitchell Dental Studio to take the first step toward achieving the smile you’ve always wanted.

Options for Replacing Missing Teeth

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More than 150 million American Adults are missing one or more teeth. This can be for a variety of reasons and is not always a result of neglect. Sometimes a tooth is lost in spite of us doing everything we possibly could to prevent it. While not every tooth that is missing needs to be replaced there can be many ramifications when an adult tooth is lost or missing. Missing teeth can affect your chewing ability, diminish your confidence in smiling, and even impact the health of your remaining teeth by allowing them to move or putting extra chewing pressure on them. This is why Dr. Mitchell offers various tooth replacement options to help restore both the appearance and function of your smile.

What Can Happen if I Choose Not to Replace Missing Teeth?

Diminished oral function: When certain teeth are missing, biting and chewing food can become challenging. This can result in a loss of nutrition which can affect your overall health and well-being. Speech can also be disrupted. Even the absence of a single tooth can significantly disrupt the healthy function of the mouth.

Lack of support: Teeth provide support to oral structures such as the cheeks and lips. The absence of teeth can lead to sagging in these tissues which can present a significant cosmetic concern. This issue can regain support with restorations like dental implants, dental bridges and removable appliances.

Teeth shifting: Gaps in the smile can cause neighboring teeth to shift, potentially affecting the alignment of the teeth. Moreover, the reliance on the remaining teeth due to tooth loss can subject them to excessive wear and tear which can result in more damage, and even further tooth loss.

Dental Implants

Dental implants serve as an excellent permanent tooth replacement solution for many patients. Comprised of a screw-like post, a crown, and an attachment in between called an abutment, implants provide a strong and long-lasting solution for missing teeth. The procedure involves a small surgery to place the implant into the jawbone which then must heal prior to the crown being placed on top.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges offer another effective means of restoring your smile by bridging the gap left by missing teeth. We offer different types of bridges to address each patient’s unique needs, including traditional bridges, Maryland bridges, and implant-supported bridges.

Traditional Bridge: Utilizes crowns that are bonded to natural teeth on either side of the gap, with artificial teeth replacing the missing ones.

Maryland Bridge: Ideal for replacing missing front teeth, secured to nearby teeth using metal structures on the sides of the bridge.

Implant-Supported Bridge: Utilizes implants for a secure fit, with the implants placed into the jawbone to secure the bridge that fills the gap.

Restoring Your Smile in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho

If missing teeth are holding you back from enjoying the foods you want to eat or from  revealing a beautiful smile, we encourage you to take action. Our team at Mitchell Dental Studio is here to help you achieve a radiant and healthy smile. Schedule your consultation today by contacting our office or using the online form.