Some patients who have severe dental anxiety don’t go to the dentist when the first signs of a problem begin, this can eventually result in a tooth abscess.
Dr. Behl!
I cannot recommend Dr. Maris Behl enough. If you have dental anxiety, she is truly the kind of dentist you hope to find. If teeth could be wrapped in pillows and protected by flying unicorns, Dr. Behl would somehow make it happen.
I have significant anxiety around dental procedures and have needed deeper sedation for dental work in the past. From the beginning, Dr. Behl took the time to listen to my concerns and made me feel genuinely heard rather than dismissed or rushed. She created such a sense of trust and safety that I was eventually able to have my dental work done with only nitrous instead of full sedation, which is something I honestly didn’t think I would be comfortable doing.
During my crown placement, she explained what she was doing throughout the procedure, which made an enormous difference in keeping me calm. She also took the time to address a filling that had been bothering me for what felt like forever — and she actually fixed the problem.
What stands out most about Dr. Behl is how safe I feel in her care. She is compassionate, patient, communicative, and incredibly attentive to how her patients are feeling. For someone with dental anxiety, that combination is invaluable.
Finding a dentist I trust this much has completely changed my experience with dental care. I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Behl and would recommend her without hesitation, especially to anyone who has dental anxiety or has struggled to feel comfortable receiving dental treatment.
Dr Thoms and his team are phenomenal. No question, the absolute best possible option for my child when he needed work done while sleeping (age based). While this option is not inexpensive, this set up of have anesthesiology in-house allowed us to get his mouth healthy when a traditional pediatric dentist could/would not. I am a parent that asks a lot of questions on behalf of my toddler’s care and at no point did I feel judged for this, nor was I rushed during my evaluation process during the consultation. Although the procedure is not one I would like to repeat for my child, my husband and I were both so pleased with how well Dr. Thoms communicated and how he clearly cared for our son’s wellbeing (both physical and emotional during a less than comfortable visit). Cannot recommend the back of house team more highly.
My one detraction is the FOH staff (not everyone) were not nearly as pleasant. I would like to communicate that while their day-to-day is very routine for them, being in that office as a parent is very scary for some people in their office and a little bit of kindness goes along way. I do recall, having a very pleasant conversation with Rebecca, but otherwise everyone else was on the apathetic side, in my personal opinion. That said you’ll notice that I still am leaving a five star review because the dental staff really just knocked out of the park, but as a parent I want to encourage you to look past any rudeness you may experience over email or on the phone because Dr. Thom’s is really that excellent.
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback. We’re grateful to hear that our team provided compassionate, attentive care and took the time to answer your questions throughout the process. We also appreciate your comments regarding your experience with our front office team and will certainly share your feedback. Your kind words mean so much to us!
Very nice very convenient for me great people working
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you had a positive experience with our team. We truly appreciate your 5-star review!
The staff is always compassionate and explain all the steps of the procedure. This office has been a God send for me because otherwise I would have let my teeth fall into further disrepair. I highly recommend this office!!!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We’re so glad our team could help make your experience feel comfortable and supportive. We truly appreciate your 5-star review!
Searching for a new dental clinic is challenging for someone who has
dental anxiety, fear, and traumatic experiences in a dental chair. The staff and doctors at the Dental Anesthesia Center were immediately very welcoming. Dr. Thoms put together a very detailed plan to repair and replace the previous work that I had in the past that was now causing problems. Putting my faith in him was the best thing that I could have done for my situation. I am more than completely satisfied with all of the extensive dental work that I’ve had with Dr.Thoms. I had my fourth sleep dentistry experience yesterday and I’m very happy with my results. I highly recommend this practice and truly want to give them more than five stars! Thank you for giving me back my health and confidence.
I adding to this post because of my visit today with the best dental hygienist Delaina and my exam with Dr. Biehl. I have truly never been to such a caring and supportive dental group. Everyone is always conscientious of my needs and knows that I have issues with anxiety. I am always calm when I am sitting in the chair because of their kindness. I am so pleased with the Dental anesthesia center. There needs to be more than five stars. Thank you, everyone.
Response from the owner:We know it isn’t always easy to find a dental office where you feel at ease, so your words mean the world to us. We’re so glad you feel comfortable with our team and truly appreciate your trust and recommendation!
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that can form in different parts of a tooth as a result of a bacterial infection. It is sometimes called a dental abscess. There are two types of abscesses, a periapical abscess and a periodontal abscess. A periapical abscess occurs at the tip of the root whereas a periodontal abscess occurs in the gums at the side of a tooth root.
But how can you identify the symptoms of an abscess, what causes them and how can they be treated?
Symptoms of a Tooth Abscess
There are a number of signs and symptoms of a tooth abscess. Some of them include:
Pain when biting or chewing
Severe and persistent tooth pain which can radiate to the jawbone, neck, or ear
Hot and cold sensitivity
Swelling in your face or cheek
Tender or swollen lymph nodes under your jaw
Discolored or loose tooth
If the abscess ruptures you could have a sudden rush of foul-smelling or bad tasting fluid in your mouth
Fever
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
If you have any signs and symptoms of a tooth abscess, you should contact your dentist immediately. In addition, if you have a fever and swelling in your face but you can’t reach your dentist, you need to go to the emergency room. A tooth abscess left untreated can lead to serious, even life-threatening complications.
Causes of a Tooth Abscess
The innermost part of the teeth that contains blood vessel, nerves, and connective tissues is the dental pulp. When bacteria invades this area, a periapical tooth abscess occurs.
Bacteria can enter through a dental cavity or a crack or chip in the tooth. It can then spread all the way down to the root. The infection can cause pain, inflammation, and swelling at the tip of the root.
It is not uncommon for patients with special needs to develop an abscess. This may be due to fact that they can’t care for their teeth properly perhaps because of a physical or mental disability. Other patients have severe dental anxiety and they don’t go to the dentist when the first signs of a problem begins.
Treatment for a Tooth Abscess
Treatment for a tooth abscess focuses on treating the infection and relieving the pain. Your dentist will likely start with taking an X-ray, depending on your symptoms. This will help him see whether or not the infection has spread to other areas.
Some of the possible treatment options include:
Draining the abscess – To get rid of the pus, your dentist will make a small incision to drain it. Then, they will clean the area with a saline solution.
Root canal – A root canal in when your dentist drills into the affected tooth to drain the abscess and remove any infected pulp in the area. Then, your dentist will fill and seal the chamber.
Tooth extraction – If the tooth is too damaged, your dentist may have to pull the tooth before draining the abscess.
Prescription antibiotics – If the abscess has spread beyond the abscessed area, your dentist may prescribe oral antibiotics to help your tooth heal completely.
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