Preparing for Your First Sedation Procedure

We understand that many patients delay getting a dental treatment because of fear and anxiety. Some patients may find it difficult to give them some assurance that things will be just fine. For this group of patients, we can ease the stress with our sedation procedures.

sedation procedureIf you are thinking of undergoing a sedation procedure, it is important that you take note of the following reminders.

Do Not Eat Before the Surgery

This is the first thing to put on your list. If you forget this piece of advice, we will have to reschedule the procedure. If you are supposed to take any medication, drink a small amount of water necessary to swallow it.

You cannot eat or drink anything eight hours prior to the procedure. Fasting is necessary to reduce the risk of inhaling stomach contents into your lungs. When your body is under anaesthesia, all the functions are relaxed, which means your gag reflex will also be put to rest.

Do Not Smoke or Drink Before the Surgery

Smoking and drinking can negatively affect the procedure, so we recommend that you keep yourself from consuming any alcoholic drink 24 hours prior to the procedure. Likewise, restrain yourself from holding that cigarette at least 12 hours before the surgery.

Bring Someone With You

We highly recommend that you bring someone with you to the clinic. The procedure may render you lightheaded afterwards, and it will be safer if someone is going to help you walk or drive you home.

What to Expect from the Procedure

Managing certain expectations is part of the preparation. After we administer the anaesthesia in a specific area, you will then start to lose feeling there. We will only start the procedure once we are 100% sure you are not feeling anything.

The sedation procedure will calm and relax your entire body. You may even feel sleepy in case the amount of anaesthetic is increased. Your breathing may be affected as your lungs are at rest. But do not worry. Your supply of oxygen will be monitored, and we may even provide you with additional oxygen.

These are only some of the things you need to keep in mind before the procedure. For more information, we encourage you to get in touch with our patient services department.

The Secret to the Ancient Romans’ Perfect Teeth

New research recently revealed the ancient Romans had better teeth than people do today. Although dental care during that time time was rudimentary at best, they had what researchers defined as “perfect teeth”. But how?

perfect teethThe research team brought together an expert team of Italian radiologists, archaeologists, orthodontists and anthropologists. They used CAT scans to examine the remains of 30 Romans killed in Pompeii during AD 79.

It took the team months of research until they found a startling discovery that the Romans’ teeth were in excellent condition, even better than our teeth today. It’s no longer news that Brits have bad teeth. The good news is, we are exerting an effort and committing to measures to change this.

As one of the leading dental practices in the region, we want to learn all that we can from this ancient civilization and how they took care of their teeth. Although we have new technologies and better equipment, it seems the Ancient Romans knew more than we do.

It’s All in the Diet

The results were consulted with dental experts and according to them, the inhabitants of Pompeii had very little sugar and instead ate a lot of fruit and vegetables. Essentially, it all came down to their eating habits, which dentists now say is so much better than how we eat today.

Despite the absence of toothbrushes and toothpastes during their time, their diet was balanced, healthy and free of refined sugar. This meant they didn’t suffer from cavities and had little cause for other types of dental problems. Their diet, then, is what we know now as the Mediterranean diet.

Diet truly plays a role in your oral health. We personally recommend staying away or at least minimising the intake of food items high in sugar. Instead, eat organic fruits and vegetables, grass fed meats and dairy, and great sources of calcium like spinach, kale, shrimp and almonds.

These will ensure you supply your body with vital nutrients that protect your teeth. It is also important to commit to a healthy oral regimen. Consult with David Madruga today to know more how you can take better care of your teeth and transform your smile.

Why Your Dentist Could Prioritise Osseointegration Rather Than the Completion of Your Teeth

Let’s face it, you want the dental implants so you can have a beautiful smile. Do not be ashamed, as many of our patients had the same procedure for the same reason. After all, dental implants are both cosmetically and medically sound. It does its job as a tooth replacement, while preventing oral disorders, such as alveolar osteitis, teeth misalignment and more.

dental implantsYet, your dentist could advise to prioritise infusing the titanium implant before attaching the actual tooth replacement. Bear with us here, because dentists want to get such a procedure perfect. You will get your tooth, that is a guarantee, but it could be longer than you think.

How Long?

It depends on how long your teeth take to its new titanium implant. Some people take a few weeks before the bone infuses with the metal, some take months. Your dental health could also influence the longevity. A poor oral wellbeing will likely take longer to integrate the titanium, so if you are getting implants, make sure you have healthy bones.

Nonetheless, whatever the dentists prescribe, they can provide assistance through guided bone regeneration and bone grafting. If you really want your teeth as soon as possible, get this one. It may cost a little extra, but it is one of the most effective ways of ensuring a fully normal jawbone.

Ups and Down of Waiting

Obviously, you have to make do with an incomplete set of teeth. It even becomes annoying when you have to wait for a tooth replacement that is right there in the front. You want to get what you paid for, and you will, but when advised to wait, you have to wait. It is for your own good anyway, as the dentist want to get it right.

The upsides are several, up to and including ensuring that you do not have to return to the dentist. Unless you chew on metal or do something constantly that endangers the implant, it is safe in there.

If you have always dreamed about a pretty smile, give us a chance to do it for you. At the office of David Madruga, we ensure excellence on the treatments we provide.

Visit us at davidmadrugaimplants.co.uk for more information.

Dental Restorations: Dentures vs. Full Mouth Implants

The repercussions of missing teeth can go beyond your personal appearance. You may not feel comfortable when speaking or eating, and you might even be conscious when smiling or laughing in public. The spaces in your mouth where teeth are missing are not just embarrassing, but they also hinder you from enjoying a healthy diet.

dental restorationsThe consequences of missing teeth worsen, however, if you have lost all of them. The problem extends beyond having a toothless jaw; facial collapse is likely to happen, as the entire jaw shrinks and thins. The loss of bone will also lead to exposure of vital structures such as nerves.

Fortunately, dentures and dental implants can help. Both can replace all your missing teeth and help you eat comfortably and smile and speak with confidence again. These teeth replacement options, however, differ in comfort and reliability.

The Problem with Dentures

While dentures can replace all lost teeth, they need to be removed and cleaned to avoid infections or diseases. There is always the risk of dentures slipping or falling out, and eventually cracking and breaking. Ill-fitting dentures can be uncomfortable; they may also cause chewing and speaking difficulties.

Like the Real Thing

Dental implants can solve these issues, as they look and function like natural teeth. They are also more comfortable and stable than dentures, helping you retain a natural biting and chewing capacity. As the implants will replace some of the tooth roots, they can preserve your bone better. This is not possible with conventional dentures because the bone that surrounds the tooth root will begin to deteriorate.

The Edge of Implants

The best thing about implants is that they integrate with your jawbone, which helps keep the bone intact and healthy. They are also more appealing and easier to clean and maintain. The loss of bone associated with conventional dentures, however, may lead to recession of jawbones. The dentures will also make it difficult for you to eat certain foods.

If you want a replacement solution that looks and feels like a natural part of your mouth, consider dental implants. With an artificial tooth root, you don’t need to remove to clean it or worry that it might slip when you talk or laugh. The jawbone fuses with the implant to offer a secure and stable platform for the tooth. Browse through our website today and find out how we can help you smile and speak with confidence again.

Advanced Technology

The technological advances in the many disciplines of dentistry have been huge in recent years. Our principal dentist, Dr David Madruga Gonzalez, and his team, actively remain at the forefront of these advances in both technology and techniques. Dr Madruga has extensive training in advanced surgical and aesthetic techniques, undertaking training all over the world to keep abreast of the latest developments.

advance technologyHe has a special interest in minimally invasive procedures, which are better and less traumatic for you as a patient, and enables us to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted in a safe and predictable manner. Dr Madruga is one of the UK’s leading dental implant surgeons.

To help him deliver the ideal treatment for every patient, Dr Madruga and his team work with the very latest in dental technology.

Among the equipment we use routinely in the dental implant process are:

3D scanning and printers

Used in combination with photography to create bespoke dental restorations and the abutments that attach your restorations to your dental implants. This is known as CAD/CAM technology.

CT scans

CT scans help in the precision placement of dental implants. The images produced give a high level of detail and enable your dentist to accurately plot the placement of your implants, checking bone density and also avoiding any nerves or other vital structures, to increase the chances of your implant treatment’s success. You don’t have to fear being put inside a large machine; instead, the camera moves around you as you sit in a chair, producing detailed 3D images that are then uploaded to a computer.

Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF)

PRGF is an advanced biotechnological therapy that makes use of the patient’s own blood to encourage healing and tissue regrowth after procedures such as tooth extraction. It can also help patients who are in need of dental implants but have suffered bone loss – without the need for a bone graft.

Nervous Patients

Are you afraid of the dentist? If so, you are not alone. Fear is the primary reason that adults in the UK give for putting off seeking dental treatment. At our practice we fully understand and empathise with those who are scared of the dentist, but believe that we can help you overcome your fears to get the treatment you need and the smile you deserve.

nervous patientsFor nervous and phobic patients, we offer the option of treatment under conscious sedation. Conscious sedation means that you will be awake but largely unaware of treatment. You will still be able to cooperate with your dentist, but will not remember much about treatment when it’s over.

Dr Madruga leads a highly-experienced team in the field of conscious sedation. He welcomes referrals from other dentists who believe that sedation would help their patients. Dr Madruga has helped to establish several conscious sedation referral clinics across the country.

Patients give many reasons for dental anxiety or phobia. You may have had a negative experience in the past, may be afraid of being out of control, or may have a specific trigger such as the sight of a needle, the smell of a dental surgery or the sound of a drill. Conscious sedation can enable you to get the treatment you need without the anxiety, whatever the cause of your fear.

There are many reasons behind fear of the dentist or dental treatment, including a bad experience in the past; fear of the sights, sounds or smells of the surgery; fear of needles; and general fear with a non-specific cause. The good news is that conscious sedation can help with all of these fears, meaning you can get the treatment you need without the stress.

Conscious sedation may be delivered in the form of tablets (oral sedation) or directly into the bloodstream (intravenous or IV sedation). It is a safe, tried and tested method that is delivered by qualified, experienced practitioners.

You will need to bring a friend or family member along to your appointment if you have treatment under conscious sedation so they can drive you home and stay with you for the rest of the day. You must not drive (it is now illegal to drive under the influence of sedative drugs), operate machinery or cook until the next day, and should avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours. We will provide you with full, detailed instructions about what to do and what not to do before and after sedation when you book your appointment – please follow these instructions carefully, and ask us if you have any questions.

Welcome to David Madruga Gonzalez

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