Dr Romano's Blog

Remember that episode of Glee where the kids were sedated during a dental check-up, and they ended up singing Britney Spears songs in their head? Although the whole Britney Spears angle might not happen, a sedation dentist New Jersey residents trust can sedate you during dental procedures, which can help if you suffer from dental phobia.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry involves introducing sedatives to the patient—by inhalation, oral, or intravenously—so as to help the patient relax. There are several levels of sedation—minimal, moderate, and deep—and the level of sedation that the dentist would put you in depends on how stressed you are with the procedure that you’re going to undergo. Under sedation, your body will relax more easily, and the amount of stress you’re in would be greatly reduced.

Who is It For?

Sedation dentistry is designed primarily to assist those who experience mild to severe dental phobia and people with special needs. Although true dental phobia is rare, most people experience a certain amount of fear and trepidation when going to the dentist. Sedation helps them relax and allows the dentist to do the procedure quickly and more efficiently.

Suitable candidates for sedation dentistry are those who experience stress or fear when at the dental office. Other patients who require sedation dentistry NJ dentists practice have to undergo complex dental surgery, have strong gag reflexes, or are unaffected by other forms of anesthesia.

Even if you don’t have extreme dental phobia or something similar, you can undergo sedation dentistry by letting your dentist know that you prefer to. You will have very little memory of the procedure, which means less worrying about what the dentist did to your mouth. There will also be less need to be concerned because sedation dentistry is considered very safe and effective.

There are, of course, a few concerns. Some people don’t like sedation dentistry because they don’t like the idea of not knowing what is happening, or maybe they have a problem with letting go of control and letting dentists like Dr. Sam Romano work on them while they are sedated. Despite this, sedation dentistry is a great way for people with dental phobia to achieve optimum dental health.

If you’re looking for dentists who do sedation dentistry New Jersey residents can count on, or you just want to learn more about sedation dentistry, you can visit or DentalFearCentral.org for more information.

Dental implants were developed in Sweden in 1952 by Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark. This professor coined the term “osseointegration” which means the attachment of healthy bone to a titanium implant. Today, the installation of NJ dental implants is common as patients go for a more permanent fix to their dental worries.

Because dental implants are permanent, these also provide long-lasting oral health solutions to those with missing teeth. Resorption is a process where the jaw bone erodes or melts over the time that the teeth were lost. It also causes deformity in the mouth area because the gums have collapsed and shrunk. This makes the person look old and is an inhibition to proper speech and adequate nutrition.

When you have missing teeth, it’s impossible to talk straight and to eat right. If you finally opt for dental implants New Jersey dentists can provide, you will achieve a fuller life and a healthier smile. Never again will you have to feel embarrassed about your oral condition, and you will surely look and feel like your youthful self again.

The procedure involves imprinting the jaw and teeth, which is crucial to assess the measurements needed for the dental implant, as well as the dental health condition of the patient if he is qualified for the implant. X-rays or CT scans are also performed to check the quality of the jaw bone for a titanium root attachment.

If there is insufficient bone structure due to resorption, a bone grafting procedure is conducted to develop a jawbone for the implant. The bone must ideally be taken from the patient’s own body to heal faster. The bone can be taken from the chin, lower jaw, hip, and tibia.

Dental implants are performed under local anesthetic. Sedation can also be used for extreme conditions. Holes are then drilled in the jawbone at the intended location for the dental implant. Titanium screws or roots are tightly fitted into the hole, and the gum is stitched back over the implant then left to heal. After the healing period, a temporary dental crown will be attached. Usually, it takes a lot of time for the gums to heal. However, when it does, the final permanent restoration may then be attached.

The dental implant New Jersey residents can be privileged to have can be obtained through NJ dentists like Dr. Sam Romano. It looks and feels much better than temporary dental treatments. Dental implants are very durable, and they are treated like real teeth. People who receive dental implants can regain a happier and healthier smile, as well as the self-confidence that was lost prior to the implant.

Not having a full smile can be a source of insecurity. People who have this kind of oral health problem often possess low self-esteem and are sometimes a source of mockery. Dental implants in NJ can be a permanent solution to this problem.

There are many reasons for replacing missing teeth. Appearance, confidence and health are the top three factors why people decide on getting the kind of dental implants NJ dentists provide. Often, missing teeth can lead to a misshapen mouth or, worse, misshapen facial features. As soon as a tooth or set of teeth are lost, the supporting bone in the jaw begins to dissolve. This process, called resorption, indicates that the longer the tooth is missing, the greater the bone loss. As teeth are not replaced, it becomes more difficult to eat and chew. This makes the face appear older because of deformity in the mouth area.

Having missing teeth is also a huge hindrance during social or business interactions. It’s hard to be yourself when you have to hide an embarrassing oral condition. Not being one of those people with a great smile can even be an impediment to success because of the constraints it creates.  Anyone with this condition can feel inadequate.

Good oral health is something which your dental implant can help you regain almost instantly. While confidence and appearance may take some time to rebuild, your oral health is something you can get back pretty fast. With a full set of teeth, you can eat and speak normally again. You don’t have to evade social interactions, and you can eat anything you want. Dental implants look and function like real teeth, so you’re bound to regain your lost confidence in no time.

Usually, the dental implant process consists of imprinting the jaw and teeth to know what size of implants would be most appropriate for the patient. Then, the dental implant surgery is performed, involving the installation of titanium tooth roots in the jaw before attaching a natural-looking tooth onto each root. The length of the procedure depends on the patient’s dental condition and capacity to recover.

 The specific kind of dental implant NJ patients would receive depends on the dentist’s discretion. Some implants can replace a tooth or a missing set of teeth in a matter of days. Others can be placed within an hour through the use of advanced imaging and computer design technology.

When you think dentures are no longer a solution to your dental problems, dental implants in New Jersey may be a better alternative. Sometimes, dentures don’t fit perfectly, and they’re just uncomfortable to adjust to and live with for years.

Most adults are qualified to undergo a dental implant procedure. However, those who have chronic diseases or systemic problems may not be permitted to undergo this treatment:  The best candidates are those with healthy gums that are free of periodontal disease. Furthermore, there must be adequate bone support for the implant. If the jawbone has eroded or there is inadequate jawbone, a bone grafting procedure will be done prior to the dental implant process.

There are three common types of bone grafts: Autogenous bone graft is when the bone is harvested from the patient’s own body, usually from the posterior part of the lower jaw. This is the most preferred method because it provides good results. Another type is called allograft bone graft. This involves implanting synthetic bone in the patient’s jaw area. The last type is xenograft, in which the dentist uses cow bone in place of the patient’s natural bone. The process of getting a bone graft often takes several months to complete because the jaw must fuse with the new bone before the patient can undergo an implant procedure.

Dr. Sam Romano is one among many dentists who are qualified to install dental implants NJ patients request for. The procedure is fairly comfortable, and involves installing a titanium tooth root in the jaw before attaching a permanent replacement tooth. Titanium is most often used for the tooth root because it adheres better to bone tissue and poses less risk of rejection or inflammation. The attached tooth is usually made of porcelain, which looks very natural.

There are various types of implants patients can opt for: A single tooth replacement, multiple tooth replacement, or removable implant-supported tooth replacement. All these are permanent solutions which dentures cannot provide. A single tooth implant will look no different from the rest of your teeth. Likewise, a multiple tooth replacement and removable implant-supported tooth replacement can help resolve any problems you may have had in chewing and speaking.

After the implant, patients usually experience a lot of soreness. A good implant dentist NJ patients go to, however, will be sure to create a treatment plan for proper recovery. Dental implants should be cared for just like real teeth, so brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits are required.

Sedation dentistry aims to reduce the stress and anxiety patients feel during dental procedures. It offers a healthy solution for people whose psychological and physical traits make it impossible for them to undergo certain dental procedures. Sedation dentistry New Jersey enables these patients to actively engage in their own dental health.

A patient’s anxiety level may require one of three sedation levels: minimal, moderate, or deep sedation. With minimal sedation, the patient can still respond physically and will be verbally responsive. Moderate sedation means that a patient will only be able to respond verbally and virtually unable to move. Meanwhile, patients under deep sedation will be rendered temporarily unconscious and unresponsive; this is alternatively referred to as sleep dentistry.

Sedation dentists need to be as skilled in psychology as they are with dental procedures. They are taught to observe signs of physical anxiety in their patients like headaches, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, sweating, and tense muscles, as well as symptoms of mental anxiety including excessive worrying and difficulty in concentrating. By keeping these anxiety symptoms to a minimum, patients won’t have to inadvertently disrupt the dentist; at the same time, the dentist can focus more on the dental procedure.

In addition to all that, a sedation dentist is required to know which drug is appropriate for the specific weight, height and anxiety level of each patient. Some sedatives may need to be administered the night before, while others would have to be administered minutes before the procedure. The sedatives used in sedation dentistry NJ include laughing gas (nitrous oxide), Valium, Sonata, and Ativan, among others.

Sedatives may take a while to wear off after a procedure, so patients are required to bring someone who can take them home and stay with them for the next 12 to 24 hours, especially in cases involving intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Some patients may also experience memory loss and not remember a thing about the dental procedure, but cases like this are rare. In cases when this happens, memory does return to normal within a short time.

Without a doubt, sedation dentistry provides a safe and viable alternative for patients looking to get a dental implant New Jersey dentists install, but are unable to overcome their fear of pain and dental procedures in general. The entire process of sedation dentistry seems to rely on one strong belief: fear and anxiety can be managed. With the anxiety under control, achieving a perfect smile and better dental health are more than possible.

So there you are, waiting for your turn in the dentist’s chair. You’re probably among the 50 percent of adults who are just afraid of going to dentists, yet you drag yourself to one because you just can’t stand your aching tooth any longer. Fortunately, dentists have developed ways to address that fear, one of which is sedation dentistry in NJ.

But before you undergo sedation dentistry, you need to make sure that your dentist is certified to perform the procedure—surprisingly, not all dentists have the requisite credentials to perform simple sedation dentistry, much less perform a much more specialized process that involves intravenous (IV) sedation. It’s said that only over four to six percent of dentists in the U.S. are qualified to administer IV sedation, which requires stringent training. So if you’re wondering whether your dentist is indeed eligible to practice sedation dentistry, these are four questions you ought to ask:

What are your qualifications?

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that a dentist who offers sedation should have undergone at least 60 hours of classroom training and 20 hours of treating patients in a controlled environment. Some states like Michigan require a dentist to have 20 hours of classroom training and 40 hours of work on 20 patients; while one aiming to become a sedation dentist NJ patients can see must have done at least 40 hours of board-approved postdoctoral course work.

What are your credentials?

Only dentists certified by their state board are allowed to practice sedation dentistry. You’ll have to do a little research on this by checking your state’s local dentistry board for their certification requirements and list of certified dentists.

What methods and materials will you use?

As a patient, you have the right to know what equipment or materials your dentist will use on you and how the procedure is done. Ask your dentist if your procedure requires nitrous oxide sedation, intravenous (IV) sedation, or general anesthesia.

Am I a candidate for sedation dentistry?

This may seem a silly question to ask your dentist, but it’s equally important for him to evaluate if you’re indeed qualified for sedation, particularly if you’re pregnant, have a heart or liver condition, or are currently recovering from alcohol or drug addiction. This is not meant to embarrass you, but to ensure your safety.

These four questions should give you a head start and provide some guidance. All in all, the board-certified sedation dentist New Jersey residents trust will gladly answer your questions to put your mind at ease and help you achieve better oral health.

Living in the Garden State doesn’t live up to the image of flowers and butterflies its name conjures up if you find yourself struggling with your dentures day in and day out. Perhaps you’re tired of having to remove and brush them after every meal. Or maybe you just hate those occasions when you’re running late and forget to put them on, causing you to rush back and lose more precious time. If this is the case, you should look at getting New Jersey dental implants for yourself. These metal-based root devices attached to a patient’s jaw as posts for artificial crowns are some of the latest dentistry solutions for tooth loss.

There’s only one slight catch: a dental implant is considerably more costly than dentures or fixed bridges. The surgical procedure can burn a hole in your pocket, especially since it requires more than one visit to your dentist, and the price ranges anywhere from $850 to as high as $3,500 per tooth. What might even create a bigger problem is finding out later on that your insurance doesn’t cover it.

So now you’re probably wondering if there’s a way to get a dental implant without breaking the bank. Here are some things you can try to save on the cost of dental implant surgery.

1. Drop a line with your state’s local dental association. Some states’ local dental groups or societies recognize that some people can’t afford good dental care, so they ask their members to render services such as oral cleaning and New Jersey sedation dentistry for free.  While there might be some requirements, they can refer you to a qualified dental professional who may be willing to waive the implant placement fee.

2. Talk to your insurance provider. Your insurance company may not cover the expense of getting dental implants, but do check with them before the procedure is carried out. Some don’t cover it, while others may if you specifically ask about it.

3. Look for a nonprofit organization. As with many other medical professions, some dental practitioners form organizations that provide free dental care, ably sponsored and assisted by seasoned volunteer dentists. These groups hold events in various parts of the country, and you can check their calendar to find out if they will soon have one in your area. Keep in mind, however, that you would still need to pay for the implant itself.

As you might realize, free NJ dental implants may not be available for some time or in the very near future. But whatever your dental needs are, you can rely on trustworthy New Jersey dentists like Dr. Sam Romano to offer quality dental services at reasonable rates.

First impressions last, so it’s quite a challenge to change them. They play a vital role in every social experience and form the foundation of new relationships between friends, business associates, and even lovers. In this regard, a beautiful smile can leave a lasting impression by helping spread goodwill and enabling an individual to project confidence in subtle ways. With sincerity and the right attitude, a smile can easily elicit positive reactions; it’s also not that hard to reciprocate.

According to Professor Paul Ekman from the University of California, people can recognize a smile from 30 meters away. Subsequently, Professor Nalini Ambady from the University in Medford, MA posits that we have developed the ability to instantly determine whether a new person will hurt or enrich us. Given these facts, it’s easy to understand how smiling is considered an effective communication tool that can leave a favorable first impression. Unfortunately, things don’t always work that way, especially when people lose their teeth either due to trauma or periodontal disease. Fortunately, any trustworthy dentist NJ residents recommend can provide viable solutions—like dental implants, for instance.

Dental implants resemble screws and are placed in the jawbone to support crowns and bridges, or hold dentures firmly in place. They are usually made of lightweight titanium, a substance known to bond easily with the bones in a process called osseointegration. Dental implants work the same way as the root structure would for a natural tooth.

Before carrying out the procedure, an implant dentist NJ residents trust would have to examine patients and determine whether they are healthy enough to qualify. Patients should have adequate bone mass in the jaw and healthy gum tissues to support the implant. Some dentists advise parents to delay implant surgery for their children until the age of 18, as there’s a good chance implants could affect the development of natural teeth.

Patients can choose between two types of dental implants. An endosteal implant consists of screws, cylinders, and blades surgically deposited into the jawbone. This is ideal for patients who use removable dentures or bridges. Meanwhile, a subperiosteal implant is placed right on top of the jaw, along with the metal framework, and is generally recommended for patients who cannot wear conventional dentures due to insufficient bone height.

When you’re looking to make a good first impression at a business meeting or a dinner date, an irresistible and sincere smile will be your best charm. So if you’re missing several teeth and feel conscious about wearing dentures, you might want to consider dental implants. New Jersey dental implant surgery performed by dentists like Dr. Sam Romano can help you flash your best smile yet.

Everybody wants to have a good and clean set of teeth not only for aesthetic purposes, but also for optimal dental health. Fortunately, there are various dental treatments that provide solutions for people suffering from misaligned, chipped or missing teeth. One such solution is getting dental implants New Jersey residents swear by.

Implants can greatly improve the appearance of one’s teeth and overall dental health. Aside from having a complete set of teeth that helps properly regulate chewing and biting, dental implants also contribute to self-esteem by making you happier and more confident about your smile. If you have implants, it will be necessary to take steps to keep them in good condition and make them last for a long time. Dental implant care is crucial for your oral health as they take on the function of your real teeth.

If you have undergone a dental implant procedure recently, it would be best to have a soft diet for the first week after the treatment. This is because eating soft foods – like fruits or cereals – will not get in the way of the implant’s osseo-integration or the implant’s integration to the jaw bone. Consequently, you should also avoid the intake of meat, nuts, and other hard solid foods. Drinking lots of water is recommended.

Since the dental implants NJ residents opt for are similar to real teeth, they should be brushed frequently. They should be brushed and flossed twice each day. You can use a gauze or special floss to clean around your teeth as well. Make sure to use a soft bristled brush with a bendable handle to thoroughly clean in between the teeth and the back of the mouth. It would also be good to use an oral irrigation device for extra deep cleaning.

Some dentists also prescribe chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash for dental implants. This mouthwash is a special germicidal wash that eliminates bacteria in the mouth. Although it has an unpleasant taste, the mouthwash is powerful enough to reduce the risk of post-operative infection for patients will newly installed implants. The mouthwash is used for at least one month. You can also ask your dentist if you need to use this mouthwash.

Good oral hygiene also includes visiting the dentist twice a year. Going to the dentist means that you not only get an annual general cleaning but also get your implants inspected. Your dentist can evaluate whether the implants still fit properly or need to be readjusted. When choosing a dentist in NJ, make sure that like Dr. Sam Romano, he is a dental practitioner who can be trusted to provide reliable dental implant installation services.