Mission Viejo residents who need to see a dentist for various reasons might sometimes feel nervous. Some individuals don’t do so well with oral treatments, and they may have some trepidation before the procedure gets started. There are a few common questions that they often ask, so today we’ll endeavor to answer some of those queries to put all of your minds at ease.

What Sort of Anesthesia Is Used for Dental Extractions?

Dental extraction is one of the procedures about which a lot of people feel squeamish. No one in Mission Viejo, CA likes to think about getting one of their teeth pulled; after all, it’s a bit more unpleasant of a procedure than just getting a regular cleaning from your dentist.

The fact is, though, in some cases when a tooth has been severely damaged and cannot be saved, extracting it will be the best thing for the patient. Besides, the technology has progressed to the point that a crown can be put in the place of the missing tooth that is a perfect match for the other teeth. No one will ever know that it’s not your real tooth.

As for the kind of anesthesia that’s used for extractions, local anesthesia is first used which numbs the surgical area. Novocaine is what is preferred for this step. Sometimes nitrous oxide (also called laughing gas) is also used. An intravenous I.V. is then used for relaxation. This cocktail is sometimes referred to as “twilight sleep.”

Those who are afraid of getting a tooth pulled don’t need to worry at all when it comes time for the procedure. A Mission Viejo dentist can use this drug combination to render them calm, easing both body and mind. The process itself will be pain-free.

Is a Dry Socket an Infection?

A dry socket is not an uncommon ailment, and Mission Viejo dentists deal with it all the time in their patients. But what exactly is a dry socket? Is it the same thing as an infection?

Generally speaking, a dry socket could be described as a combination of factors, among them physiological, mechanical, bacterial, and chemical. In that respect, a dry socket can indeed be partially attributed to an infection. Dry sockets can happen after an extraction as the result of dislodging of the vital blood clots that form in empty tooth sockets after an extraction. This condition leaves the nerves and bone exposed and prone to infection.

Dry sockets are no fun, but an experienced dentist should have no trouble helping you find a solution if that’s what’s troubling you. Depending on the details of what’s causing yours there are different possible remedies, but you’ll need to consult with your dentist to determine what makes the most sense in your case.

Do You Need Anesthesia When You’re Going to Get a Tooth Filled?

A dental filling is another common procedure that dentists complete every day, but it’s also one of the ones about which many individuals feel a high level of concern. The sound or the look of the drill can be enough to send some people into paroxysms of fright.

You don’t need to be afraid, though, as an experienced professional dentist will do their utmost to make sure that you’re comfortable as they install your filling. When a dentist needs to drill into your tooth, they have to give you more than a topical anesthetic, because otherwise, you might still feel some pain. Because of that, you can expect to get something in addition to Novacaine.

If you have any concerns about what your Mission Viejo dentist is going to give you, talk to them about it. They’ll be happy to address any fears that you have before they get started.

How Long Does a Root Canal Take?

A root canal isn’t going to be pleasant, but with modern tools and drugs that are available, it should be tolerable for you. But how long does it take, and how long is the recovery process?

You can expect a root canal to take about 90 minutes. Sometimes that’s all there is to it, and in other cases, it can be two appointments, each one clocking in at about 90 minutes. You’ll be under anesthetic each time, though, so you’re guaranteed to feel no pain provided that you go through an accredited oral surgeon in Mission Viejo CA.

A root canal relieves the pain due to removal of an infection. The patient will begin to recover as soon as the root canal takes place. The patient might feel some soreness for a day or so after the procedure, but then they should recover swiftly. That’s why if you fear that you might need a root canal then you should see a dentist sooner rather than later to get some advice. It does you no good to put it off.

How Old Should You Be to Get Braces?

Many young people need braces, and that’s another one of the common reasons to seek out the help of a Mission Viejo dentist. But how old do children have to be before they can start corrective treatment for dental problems?

There is no exact age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, but the American Association of Orthodontics recommends visiting orthodontist for first time around age seven. By that point, kids will have a mixture of baby and adult teeth. This will make is easier for the orthodontist to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner, and hopefully without surgery. If a child does need braces, they can usually expect to have them on for a couple of years, though this varies on a case-by-case basis.

Now you have answers to some of the more common questions that both kids and adults ask of their dentists. Remember that the best thing that you can do to be sure that your experience with a dentist in Mission Viejo or Laguna Niguel is a happy one is to read up on their practice and see what kind of reviews they’ve gotten.

If you see a lot of positive feedback, then you know this practitioner cares about their patients, and you’ll likely get the results you want. If the reviews are negative, then you may wish to look into some other options. There are lots of dental practitioners out there, and you deserve to go to one where you’ll have as pleasant and pain-free of an experience as you can.

Are You Looking for Relief in Orange County?

If you are tired of looking for the best dentist in Orange County, we can help. Our highly trained family and cosmetic dentists and specialists have been serving Mission Viejo and all neighboring cities, and we have developed an impeccable reputation for successful, effective and compassionate care.

Please call (949) 364 -9600 today for an appointment with a dentist at Aria Dental in Mission Viejo or visit us on our website: www.AriaDentalCare.com