Sarah Pitarra DDS Blog

Sedation dentistry has emerged as a remarkably valuable and practical solution for patients who experience anxiety, or even fear, related to dental visits. With so many safe and effective options available, those who’d rather be anywhere in the world than seated in their dentist’s chair can now comfortably make it through these visits and receive the important care their smiles need! That said, while beneficial for many, sedation dentistry isn’t always a good fit, and your dentist will need to confirm that you’re a good candidate before administering it. Keep reading below to learn more about a few reasons that might exclude patients from being eligible for sedation dentistry.

Just finished a teeth whitening treatment? Excellent! Now the real challenge begins—keeping your new, brighter smile refreshed and looking its best. While your enamel is still settling post-treatment, it’s more susceptible to staining. So, what you eat (and what you avoid) during this time makes a big difference. Keep reading to find some foods that are both gentle on your enamel and great for keeping your teeth gleaming long after your appointment.

Do you have sleep apnea? In addition to having difficulty staying asleep throughout the night, this sleep disorder can cause various symptoms during the day, like drowsiness, lack of focus, mood changes, and more! It can even increase your risk of serious health issues, like cardiovascular disease. That’s why it’s so important to take steps to improve your sleep apnea and avoid bad habits. Here are some things that can make sleep apnea worse.

Sleep apnea has been getting more and more attention in the past decade or so because it’s becoming pretty common in the U.S., but despite all the information about how dangerous it is, there are no reported cases of sleep apnea ever being fatal. However, research has shown that it strongly contributes to a wide range of conditions that can cut your life short.  

With sleep apnea, the danger isn’t just about being exhausted all the time, but your very life could be at stake—here’s how…

When you have a TMJ disorder, it’s essential to find the right kind of treatment that can help you achieve relief from your chronic jaw pain. But exactly how long will that take? This seemingly simple question does not have a set-in-stone answer; after all, each patient is different, and there’s more than one kind of TMJ treatment that might be recommended. Below is a brief look at TMJ disorder, how it can be addressed, and what the timeline for treatment might look like.

Dental implants tend to do well overall, but there’s always a chance they won’t succeed. Something could go wrong with the posts after surgery that leads to an implant failure. So, give your dental implants better odds by getting more vitamin D. This nutrient’s effects would make your new teeth more successful in the long run. If you want more details, simply keep reading to learn how vitamin D can support dental implants.

Tooth loss can make your daily life challenging. When it comes to chewing your food, speaking clearly, and smiling without feeling self-conscious, missing teeth can have a toll on you. Fortunately, dental implants are available to restore the appearance and function of your smile. One of the benefits of dental implants is that they have a success rate of over 95%! However, a dental implant failure is still possible. Continue reading to learn why failure occurs and what happens next.

Preparing for a dental implant consultation usually creates a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Will you know what to ask? Will your dentist understand you? What’s going to happen? There are a million questions you could ask and still not be prepared.

If you want the best shot at a great dental implant consultation, continue reading. You’ll dive into the step-by-step process to get a comprehensive overview.

According to the US Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in five American seniors has lost all of their teeth. For those who are a part of this statistic, dentures offer a great solution. These prosthetics will allow them to lead a much better quality of life. However, the hardest part of getting dentures is waiting for them to arrive!

So how long does it take? Continue reading to learn about the denture process and how long it normally takes from start to finish.

The mere thought of having to go to the dentist may fill you with dread. Dental phobia or anxiety is actually quite common and is nothing to be ashamed of. Maybe you had a bad experience at the dentist’s office in the past or are anxious about receiving bad news. That being said, many patients are also nervous about dental sedation. Much of the fear stems from misconceptions about what sedation dentistry is and what it can do for you. To put your mind at ease, here are the truths behind 4 common dental sedation myths.