The caring teams at both our Murrells Inlet office and Georgetown office are always happy to address any questions you have about your family’s dental care. In the meantime, we’ve shared some frequently asked questions below.
To address any questions you don’t see here, call us in Murrells Inlet at 843-491-5353 or Georgetown at 843-492-5026.
- What Is Conscious Dental Sedation
- What Is a TMJ Disorder and How Can It Be Treated
- Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants
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What Is Conscious Dental Sedation
A:
For conscious dental sedation, we’ll give you a safe oral sedative to take before your dental procedure. You’ll feel completely relaxed during the procedure and will likely not remember much about it afterward. But you will be able to hear our dentist and staff and respond to them while they work. Dr. John Miller has completed conscious sedation training with the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation.
For a lighter level of sedation, you can opt to receive laughing gas instead. It’s administered through a small mask you wear over your nose. It takes effect within minutes and wears off quickly too. You’ll even be able to drive yourself home.
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What Is a TMJ Disorder and How Can It Be Treated
A:
TMJ disorder is persistent jaw pain that may also make it difficult for you to open your mouth wide. It involves your temporomandibular joints (TMJ), which connect your jaw to the bones of your skull located in front of each ear. Dr. Miller can create a custom oral appliance for you that may relieve your pain. If tooth grinding during the night is contributing to the problem, he can also make a custom night guard for you to wear while you sleep.
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Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants
A:
Dental implants are a tooth replacement option that involves Dr. Miller implanting a tiny titanium rod directly into your jawbone, then attaching a dental restoration such as a dental crown to the implant. Because he embeds the implant into your jaw, you’ll need good bone density to support it.
However, you may be able to get dental implants even if you lack bone density. We can use mini dental implants. Because they are not as large as full-sized dental implants, they can be embedded in thinner bone. We may also be able to strengthen your jaw with bone grafts or other oral surgery procedures.