St. Louis Sedation, Sleep & Special Needs Dentistry :: The Dental Anesthesia Center

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How Sedation Can Help With Dental Bone Grafting

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Bone grafting is a complex surgical procedure used to replace missing bone tissue and encourage it to heal.

sedation dental bone grafting

Here’s what you need to know about it how sedation dentistry can help.

When Is Bone Grafting Recommended in Dentistry?

If you need a tooth replacement, the dentist must insert the implant in your jaw bone, fixing the tooth in your bone and ensuring that it is as close as possible to a healthy one and that it maintains its function. More often than not, the jaw bone is already affected by tooth loss. It may start receding and getting more and weaker because of the infections and trauma. In these cases, a bone graft may be necessary to recover the jaw tissue and provide the necessary support for the implant.

Other cases where a dental bone graft is necessary may include patients who suffered injuries at face-level. The surgeon is capable of adding a bone graft and help the area heal better and maintain its functional structure. Some individuals may suffer from congenital diseases that affect their jaw bone structure. A bone graft can be an optimal solution for them too.

The Process of Getting a Dental Bone Graft

If you are a candidate for receiving a bone graft, then you need to know that it can be a lengthy process as it can take quite a lot of time for your body to heal. Grafting is actually helping the body in its healing process, and it may involve harvesting bone tissue from another region of your body. So, don’t expect to be done with the whole process after a few visits to your dentist.

First, you will likely be tested via medial imagery with a CT scan. The doctors need to know how much tissue needs to be added and what size and shape the gap is.

After the initial tests and examinations, the next step is to decide where the harvested tissue will come from. You can have a bone graft from your own bone tissue (jaw, hip, tibia, etc.) or processed bone from a bank.

During the procedure, the healthy bone tissue is placed in the area that needs treatment and held together by special membranes that will dissolve in your system. Your body will do the rest, but you do need to help it by taking antibiotics, avoiding pressure on the area and keeping the pain under control.

If all goes well, you generally just need to wait for the bone to heal. Once it has healed, you can get the implant and/or go on with your life without having to take the mentioned cautions.

What Is the Role of Sedation in Dental Bone Grafting?

A dental bone graft procedure is a complex operation, even if your problem is not very serious. Because of that, and the invasive nature of the operation, sedation is mandatory. Your St. Louis sedation dentist will opt for IV sedation or general anesthesia to numb you and help you go through the operation. Your doctor will choose the least invasive sedation form needed for your operation.

A dental bone graft operation is not the easiest procedure to go through, but it leads to better oral health and it solves many serious issues. The complications that can come from a weakened jaw bone will be worse than the recovery process you go through after a bone graft.

To speak with an experienced sedation dentist at The Dental Anesthesia Center call (314) 862-7844.

Dental Anesthesiology Becomes the 10th Dental Specialty Recognized by ADA

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On March 11, 2019, the National Commission determined that the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists meets the “Requirements for Recognition of Dental Specialties.”

In September 2018, the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists submitted an application to the National Commission. In February 2019, the review committee considered all of the information to see if dental anesthesiology met all the requirements for specialty recognition. Finally, at it’s meeting on March 11, the National Commission granted official recognition to dental anesthesiology as a dental specialty.

What is a Dental Specialty

According to the ADA, a dental specialty is a particular “area of dentistry that has been formally recognized by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards as meeting the specified Requirements for Recognition of Dental Specialties and National Certifying Boards for Dental Specialties.”

In order to qualify for specialty recognition, a sponsoring organization has to meet the 6 requirements specified by the “Requirements for Recognition of Dental Specialties.” They have to be able to prove that they are a distinct and well-defined field that requires unique knowledge and skills beyond the common ones that dental school graduates possess. In addition, they have to prove that their field requires advanced knowledge and skills and that it scientifically contributes new research and knowledge in both the profession and field.

What are the Other 9 Dental Specialties?

Dental anesthesiology joins the following 9 dental specialties:

  • Dental Public Health
  • Endodontics
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Oral Medicine and Pathology
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology
  • Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Periodontics
  • Prosthodontics

These dental specialties are recognized to protect the public, nurture the art of science in dentistry, and improve the quality of care.

The Dental Anesthesia Center

We are a state-of-the-art dental facility for patients who require general anesthesia, deep sedation, or oral sedation for their dental care. Young children unable to cooperate and individuals with mental or physical disabilities can benefit from these services.

Dr. Hoffmann and Dr. Thoms completed residencies in hospital dentistry and dental anesthesiology. Both are currently the only two Dental Anesthesiologist board certified in Deep Sedation in the state of Missouri.

Call us today to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!

Is Dental Sedation Right for Your Child?

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We are the Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

St. Louis Special Needs Dentist

When your youngster is having a dental procedure done, you might be struggling with the choice of whether or not to sedate them. You want to prevent them from feeling any trauma and pain from the dental procedure, but you also don’t want to put their safety into question. That can leave you questioning whether dental sedation is right for your child.

The good news is that sedating a patient is almost always a safe procedure. There are ways to sedate your little one that are completely effective and come with very minimal risk. If you use the lowest level of sedation, then you can both save your little one the anxiety of sitting in the dentist chair and you can also relax, knowing that they are completely safe.

What Type is Right for Your Child?

The major types of sedation used for dental procedures are oral sedation, the use of nitrous oxide and IV sedation. Oral sedation is a type of sedation procedure where a child takes medicine by mouth (orally) before the procedure. It takes about 20 minutes to work, and it allows the child to relax and usually fall asleep; they can easily be awakened, and there is very little risk involved.

Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, is used to keep children quiet and calm during a dental procedure. A mask is placed over their mouths, and they breathe in a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. While it gives your child a feeling of euphoria, it also means they will not remember the procedure or feel anything as the procedure is happening. Towards the end of the treatment, the mask will deliver just oxygen, and your child will be good to go home without any residual effects.

To sedate a patient with IV sedation, they must have an IV line inserted, and an anesthesiologist must be present throughout the entire procedure. Once the IV line is placed the child is delivered medication intravenously and then monitored throughout the procedure.

Depending on what your child is having done and how extensive the treatment is, your dentist will make a recommendation about which type of sedation is best. A good rule to go by is to weigh the benefits of sedation against the risks. It is always best to use the least risky sedation method possible for the biggest benefit.

Although choosing sedation might seem scary, many methods are completely safe and put your child at very little risk. The benefit to their psyche and to establishing a positive experience with the dentist is imperative to establishing good oral hygiene and health for a lifetime.

St. Louis Anesthesia Dentistry

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we are the Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area. When you and your child come in for your appointment, Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Thoms, or Dr. Daugherty will decide which option is the best for your child depending on their anxiety level and cooperation.

Call Us Today to Schedule Your Appointment at (314) 862-7844 We Look Forward to Meeting You!