The Glen Ellyn Illinois Dentist

Is there a “Cookie-Cutter” Solution for Dental Fear & Anxiety?

2009-10-23T23:23:23-05:00

Of course not! Here is an example; Marsha V. from Naperville came in about 2 months ago. Her dental needs were extensive and had significant with difficulty sleeping last for over 3 months before coming into the office. We discussed all alternatives for both treatment and dental comfort. Marsha needed 8 crowns, 2 roots canals, 2 extractions, and several filling immediately.
She had delayed treatment for many many years with a high fear quotient. She wanted to try oral pill sedation.
Here’s the problem. After the traditional protocol of oral sedation was started, Marsha did NOT feel comfortable with starting the appointment. Her response was “I wanted to be less aware than this—can you give me more medicine?” The problem with being insufficiently comfortable with oral sedation is it takes 45-60 minutes for next dose to take effect. Then there is too little time to complete the treatment.
We decided to start IV sedation. The effect was immediate and we were able to complete treatment as planned. What would have been adequate oral medicine for many patients was completely insufficient for her.
But that was for extensive treatment. For her next cementation visit, we were able to finish with simple oral sedation. So here is another story of different protocols for different visits. EVERY PATIENT AND EVERY APPOINTMENT MUST BE CALIBRATED FOR INDIVIVUAL NEEDS AT ALL TIMES. Having all options is the key to providing this option.

Bio of Dr. Thomas R. Gibbs, DDS, FAGD, FDOCS, FICOI
Dr. Gibbs graduated at the University of Illinois School of Dentistry in 1980. He holds memberships in the: American Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
He is one of the earliest members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and has had training at some of the most prestigious training institutes such as the L.D. Panky Institute for Advanced Education, California Implant Institute, Misch International Implant Institute, and the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI).
He also has earned honorary fellowships in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (FICOI). In 2007 Dr. Gibbs achieved another honorary designation by receiving his certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). This, along with substantial advanced education and case submission for pier review, has earned him an additional fellowship in the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (FDOCS).
He provides general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, sedation services, and dental implants.

Please Leave Us a Comment!

Are Dental Implants Painful?--Man from Wheaton Discusses How Comfortable Implant Dentistry can Be!

2009-10-23T07:22:51-05:00

So what is like to have an dental implant placed? Here is a short video that has a patient from Wheaton discussing how it was to have a dental implant placed, both the surgical aspect and the subsequent crown to finish. He was a fearful patient and , as you can see, dental sedation was not needed in this case.

&rel=0

We have more information dental health on our website at SmileGlenEllyn.com Also visit us for information on dental implants and relaxed sedation dentistry at YouTube LiveWithoutDentures Dr. Gibbs provides sedation dentistry, comfort based dentistry, implant dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry for patients in the Chicago area. This includes Wheaton, West Chicago, Naperville, Lisle, Glendale Heights, Lombard, Schaumburg, Roselle, Elmhurst, Chicago, Hoffman Estates, Warrenville, and Downers Grove. Contact us at FearLessDentalCare.com.

Fearful Dental Patient Wanting an Alternate to Dental Partial Dentures

2009-10-21T21:19:05-05:00

The highly fearful dental patient is generally also the group of patients that require the most challenging dentistry. You can see from the before photo haw far this patient had let his bottom teeth get over time. He was also very apprehensive about the prospect of getting a lower partial or full denture with the large bony bumps (dental torus or tori).

For him the best alternative was dental implants. Fortunately he had sufficient bone to place the implants, although a couple of extraction areas needed healing time. Oral and IV sedation was used to place the implants. We actually even have a patient testimonial of him relating how easily he healed after the visits on our Facebook page. His response—“feels great—just like real teeth.” We bought his a steak dinner when the case was finished!

Dr. Gibbs provides sedation dentistry, comfortable dentistry, implant dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry for patients in the Chicago area. He sees patients from Wheaton, Naperville, Lisle, Glendale Heights, Lombard, Schaumburg, Roselle, Elmhurst, Chicago, Hoffman Estates, Warrenville, and Downers Grove. Contact us at SmileGlenEllyn.com Also visit us for information on implants and relaxed sedation dentistry at YouTube LiveWithoutDentures He also publishes a separate informational websie on dental implants at chicagoimplantdentistry.com

Dental Humor--Jay Leno & the Dan Band

2009-10-08T22:16:57-05:00

How would you like the dental to really go out of the way to make to have comfortable dental visits and forget your dental worries? Jay Leno had the Dan Band on with a Dental office Video. This was funny (but probably not be done in our office)! Distraction works but to this degree is probably about as appropriate as “spa dentistry” and getting your fingernails done while getting your teeth cleaned!

Watch and enjoy the Jay Leno Dan Band Video!&rel=0

“Hard To Numb” and “Painless Dentistry”--Naperville Patient

2009-10-05T18:41:19-05:00

They told me to “Grow Up and Behave”

Yes—it happened again today! A fearful patient came in for a consultation and said that their last dental visit was painful and they had a difficult time getting numb. Worse than that, the patient, a young lady form Naperville, said that the dentist told her to “grow up,” even though she was distinctly uncomfortable.

Fact of the matter—if a patient is uncomfortable and the visit is painful, the last thing a professional should do is to scold them! I have had many patients tell me similar stories. They then go and search for someone who can “put them to sleep” so they will not have to endure the pain.

There have been so many advances in anesthetic technique and materials over the years. There are better anesthetics, and even computer assisted numbing! So practitioners keep up better than others, but even with the advances treating people with understanding and kindness is the first step!

Dental sedation is just one solution. They patient still have to be numbed, but their pain threshold is drastically diminished facilitating comfort. Mostly, the majority have little or no memory of the visit.

If you have these problems call us so we can discuss the alternatives with you!

Proper Dental How to Take Care of Your Mouth and Teeth- Dr. Roisen Dr. Oz so that Dental Sedation or Dental Implants are Needed

2009-08-09T10:18:15-05:00

Yesterday I posted a video of Whoopi Goldberg relating how she was losing teeth due to ignoring her dental needs. We see this often, especially with the high dental fear group requiring dental sedation. Today, I am posting another video from Dr. Oz and Dr. Roisen, frequent guests on Oprah Widfrey and authors of the book Real Age. This video shows the importance of proper oral hygiene, bushing, and flossing. They also discuss the dangers of now taking good dental care, along with dental implants, tooth loss, and dentures.

Watch the video here!

We have more information on dental on our website at SmileGlenEllyn.com Also visit us for information on implants and relaxed sedation dentistry at YouTube LiveWithoutDentures Dr. Gibbs provides sedation dentistry, comfort based dentistry, implant dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry for patients in the Chicago area. This includes Wheaton, West Chicago, Naperville, Lisle, Glendale Heights, Lombard, Schaumburg, Roselle, Elmhurst, Chicago, Hoffman Estates, Warrenville, and Downers Grove. Contact us at FearLessDentalCare.com. Slso see our dental implants site at chicagoimplantdentistry.com

Avoiding the Dentist (Dental Fear)--Whoopi Goldberg Tells her Story

2009-08-08T15:42:45-05:00

Most people know Whoopi Goldberg well for her many movies and presence on the TV show The View. Recently on the View, Whoopi relates her recent dental experiences with gum disease and losing teeth.
Whoopi says wisely “If you’re not taking care of your teeth you’re not taking care of your whole body—and it’s killing you!” Gum disease killing us! According to another recent article in Readers Digest we are twice as likely to die of a heart attack, and 3 times to die of a stroke. There is also an increased incidence and severity of pneumonia and diabetes!
We suggest you watch Whoopi’s video and listen well!

Is Painless Anesthesia (Painless Dentist) the Work of the Devil?

2009-06-07T12:09:45-05:00

I'm sitting is a 3 day meeting on complications in dental sedation and compromised patients while I ran into this wild quote from the first president of the American Dental Association back in 1860. This clearly shows how the concept of pain control and anesthesia has progressed!
William Henry Atkinson, originally a physician,felt that to eliminate pain is "to do the work of the devil!"

“I think anesthesia is of the DEVIL, and I cannot give my sanction to any Santanic influence which deprives man of the capacity form recognizing the LAW. I wish there were no such thing as anesthesia. I do not think man should be prevented from passing through what God intended them to endure.” Sacred Pain

Drink Green Tea for Healthy & Gums

2009-05-09T10:42:09-05:00

A recent article in ScienceDaily (Mar. 2009) summarizes health benefits of drinking green tea with weight loss, heart health, and cancer prevention. A study in the Journal of Periodontology uncovered another benefit of drinking green tea—healthy gums and teeth. The study by Dr. Shimazaki at Kyushu University in Japan analyzed the periodontal [gum] health of 940 men, and found that those dinking green tea had superior dental health

We have more information dental health on our website at SmileGlenEllyn.com Also visit us for information on dental implants and relaxed sedation dentistry at YouTube LiveWithoutDentures Dr. Gibbs provides sedation dentistry, comfort based dentistry, implant dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry for patients in the Chicago area. This includes Wheaton, West Chicago, Naperville, Lisle, Glendale Heights, Lombard, Schaumburg, Roselle, Elmhurst, Chicago, Hoffman Estates, Warrenville, and Downers Grove. Contact us at FearLessDentalCare.com.

The Value of a Smile

2009-05-05T23:27:05-05:00

How much of an influence is an attractive smile? More than you may suspect considering a poll by the Caravan Opinion Research International of over 100 randomly selected adults. Among the findings:

1) 90% of the respondents believed that an attractive smile was an asset for a person’s career
2) About 90% said that they are more romantically attracted to someone with an attractive smile
3) 80% of the polled group relate both age and economic status to how the person’s smile.

For more information see our cosmetic dentistry site at SmileGlenEllyn.com, and visit other blog articles in this site. Dr. Gibbs provides sedation dentistry, comfort based dentistry, implant dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry for patients in the Chicago area. This includes Wheaton, Naperville, Lisle, Glendale Heights, Lombard, Schaumburg, Roselle, Elmhurst, Chicago, Hoffman Estates, Warrenville, and Downers Grove. Contact us at LivewithoutDentures.com. Also visit us for information on implants at chicagoimplantdentistry.com and relaxed sedation dentistry at YouTube LiveWithoutDentures We also a a new dedicated blog