I need cavities filled, but I’m afraid of the dentist

I have 3 cavities that need to be filled. I have avoided making the appointment to get the work done because I hate going to the dentist. What is the process for filling the cavities? Is a needle involved? Thanks. Cherise

Cherise – Before your cavities are filled, your teeth and gums are numbed to prevent you from experiencing pain during the procedure. But a topical anesthetic will be applied to prevent you from feeling the pain of the injection.

When your teeth and gums are numb, the decay in the tooth is removed. Your tooth will be rinsed to remove any debris around it. The tooth will be prepared and filling will be placed in it. You can get tooth-colored fillings that blend in naturally with your teeth. The numbness in your mouth will gradually diminish within several hours after the appointment.

If you are particularly anxious, you can find a dentist who provides sedation dentistry for anxious patients. Sedation dentistry relaxes you so that you can have a productive dental appointment.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Should I bring my three year old to a pediatric dentist or our family dentist?

Should I bring my three year old to a pediatric dentist or our family dentist? What’s the difference? – Jan

Jan – You first need to verify with your family dentist if there are age requirements for the children they treat. Many general dentists accept children as young as 2 ½ years old. Family dentists are able to care for the basic dental needs of children.

Parents and children are often more comfortable with having one dentist for the entire family.

A pediatric dentist is specialist with two years of post-graduate training specific to dentistry for children. Generally, a specialist is not required to help your child maintain good oral health.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Why does the dental implant process take so long?

Why does the dental implant process take so long? How long does it really take? – Thanks Torri

Torri – After you receive dental implant surgery, time is allowed for your jawbone to heal and fuse with the dental implant.

The healing period ensures that the implants are stable and will hold a replacement tooth. Prematurely attaching a replacement tooth to the implant can cause the implants to loosen.

The healing period for dental implants is typically two to six months. During this time, a temporary tooth replacement can be placed on the implant. You will have progress checks with the implant surgeon to ensure that the healing process is progressing.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.