Sedation dentistry refers to the use of pharmacological agents to calm and relax a patient prior to and during a dental appointment. The pharmacological agents usually belong to a class of drugs called sedatives, which exert their action by depressing the central nervous system, specifically those areas concerned with conscious awareness.

You will take a small pill an hour prior to your dental appointment. Your companion will drive you to the office because by the time you arrive, you will be very drowsy. When you arrive in our office, you will be escorted into the operatory, covered with a thick, warm blanket and placed on a monitor to watch your vital signs. After you are comfortable, the doctor and the experienced clinical team will take care of your dental needs. When your treatment is completed, your companion will drive you home to finish your comfortable, relaxing day.

Please visit our holistic dentistry page for more information.

Digital radiography (digital x-ray) is the latest technology used to take dental x-rays. This technique uses an electronic sensor (instead of x-ray film) that captures and stores the digital image on a computer. This image can be instantly viewed and enlarged helping the dentist and dental hygienist detect problems easier. Digital x-rays reduce radiation 80-90% compared to the already low exposure of traditional dental x-rays.

Dental x-rays are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam. Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan. Without x-rays, problem areas may go undetected.

Dental x-rays may reveal:

• Abscesses or cysts
• Bone loss
• Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors
• Decay between the teeth
• Developmental abnormalities
• Poor tooth and root positions
• Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line

Detecting and treating dental problems at an early stage may save you time, money, unnecessary discomfort, and your teeth!

Are dental x-rays safe?
We are all exposed to natural radiation in our environment. Digital x-rays produce a significantly lower level of radiation compared to traditional dental x-rays. Not only are digital x-rays better for the health and safety of the patient, they are faster and more comfortable to take, which reduces your time in the dental office. Also, since the digital image is captured electronically, there is no need to develop the x-rays, thus eliminating the disposal of harmful waste and chemicals into the environment.

Even though digital x-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered very safe, dentists still take necessary precautions to limit the patient’s exposure to radiation. These precautions include only taking those x-rays that are necessary, and using lead apron shields to protect the body.

How often should dental x-rays be taken?
The need for dental x-rays depends on each patient’s individual dental health needs. Your dentist and dental hygienist will recommend necessary x-rays based upon the review of your medical and dental history, a dental exam, signs and symptoms, your age, and risk of disease.

A full mouth series of dental x-rays is recommended for new patients. A full series is usually good for three to five years. Bite-wing x-rays (x-rays of top and bottom teeth biting together) are taken at recall (check-up) visits and are recommended once or twice a year to detect new dental problems.

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• Composite White Fillings
  A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.
  
  Before and after mercury silver amalgam replacement with Nano-hybrid resin.
  There are many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. You and the Doctor can discuss the best options for restoring your teeth. Composite fillings, along with mercury silver amalgam fillings, are the most widely used today. However, because they are considered toxic with serious side effects, we do not use mercury silver amalgam fillings in our holistic practice.
  
  Not only will the safest and highest quality white Nano-hybrid resin that we use enhance your smile, but they will eliminate the potentially harmful old fashioned toxic heavy metal mercury silver amalgam fillings. In laboratory tests, these new state-of-the-art fillings strengthened teeth 7 to 8 times. Looking better never felt so good!
  
  Because composite fillings are tooth colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth, and are more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or the more visible areas of the teeth. As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced. They are very durable, and will last many years, giving you a long lasting, beautiful smile.


• Crowns-Caps
  A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.
  Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain (tooth colored crown) are the most popular. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color or your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile.


• Fixed Bridges
  A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance and is an excellent way to replace missing teeth.
  
  There are several types of bridges. You and your dentist will discuss the best options for your particular case. The “traditional bridge” is the most popular type and is usually made of porcelain fused to metal. This type of bridge consists to two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth (abutment teeth) and are attached to pontics (artificial teeth), filling the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
  
  Dental bridges are highly durable and will last many years, however they may need replacement or need to be re-cemented due to normal wear.


• Dentures and Partial Dentures
  A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.
  
  There are two types of dentures - complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A Partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting.
  
  A Complete denture may be either "conventional" or "immediate." A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking 4 to 6 weeks. During this time the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, adjustments will have to be made.
  
  Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.
  
  
• Dental Implants
  Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances.
  
  Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a dentist or Periodontist - a specialist of the gums and supporting bone. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile!
  
  Dental implants are very strong, stable, and durable and will last many years, but on occasion, they will have to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear.

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Root canal therapy (endodontics) is needed when the nerve of a tooth is severely affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.

Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would have to be removed. Some patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but they may not realize that removing a tooth will ultimately be more costly, and cause additional problems for adjacent teeth. Root canal treatment is highly successful, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to a recurring infection.

Smile makeovers, as seen on ABC TV Extreme Makeover, are good examples of the dramatically increased interest in cosmetic dentistry in Las Vegas over the past decade. With the right smile, patients are more confident, smile more and look 10-15 years younger. Cosmetic dentistry can offer a more beautiful, natural-looking smile in only 1 or 2 easy dental visits in most cases. Thanks to the advances in modern cosmetic dentistry materials and technology, we are able to improve your teeth and smile with quick and surprisingly affordable treatments. We use the latest laser diode technology to improve the appearance of your gums to enhance your smile even further. To assure you receive the smile you want, cosmetic digital imaging allows you to preview the beautiful smile of your dreams on a large screen before beginning treatment.

Combining the best in cosmetic dental art and science, Dr. James Wright is known as a perfectionist. He is a Dentist Las Vegas patients trust and feel comfortable with for all their cosmetic dental needs. The services are so phenomenal that patients come from near and far: Las Vegas, Arizona, California, Utah, Illinois, Michigan, Bermuda, Ireland, Great Britain, Dubai. Since June 2004, Dr. James Wright has offered the finest level of cosmetic dentistry in Las Vegas. For these reasons, you may also want to join hundreds of other “in the know” patients who have selected Dr. Wright as their Dentist. When the time comes to make a decision about cosmetic dental treatments, in addition to feeling comfortable with the cosmetic dentist, you will also want to feel comfortable with the staff, atmosphere and state-of-the-art cosmetic dental technology.

Whether you need a single veneer or a complete Hollywood Smile Makeover, whether you live in New York City or Los Angeles, look no further than Dr. Wright. He is among the very finest cosmetic dentists anywhere, and offers full service cosmetic dentistry right here in Las Vegas.

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The term “periodontics” refers to the dental specialty that pertains to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease that affects the gums and jawbone. The gum tissues serve to surround and support the teeth and the underlying jawbone anchors teeth firmly in place. Periodontists have completed several years of extra dental training and are concerned with maintaining the function, health and aesthetics of the jawbone and tissues.

The word “orthodontics” is derived from the Greek words orthos, meaning proper or straight and odons meaning teeth. Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry specializing in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of jaw, face and bite irregularities (malocclusions). Malocclusion is the technical term for teeth that don’t fit together correctly. Malocclusions not only affect the teeth, but also the appearance of the face. Most malocclusions are inherited; however some are due to acquired habits such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusting. The spacing left from an adult tooth being extracted or an early loss of a baby tooth can also contribute to a malocclusion.

Initially, orthodontic treatments were geared toward the treatment of teens and pre-teens, but these days around 30 percent of orthodontic patients are adults. There are many advantages to well-aligned teeth, including easier cleaning, better oral hygiene, clearer speech and a more pleasant smile. Though orthodontic treatment can be effective at any age, the American Dental Association suggests that an orthodontic assessment should be performed around the age of seven. The earlier orthodontic treatment begins, the more quickly the problem can be successfully resolved.

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons are specialists with advanced training and expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of various head and neck conditions and injuries. After four years of dental school, an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon completes four to six years of additional formal training in treating the craniomaxillofacial complex. This specialty is one of 9 dental specialties recognized internationally and by the American Dental Association (ADA).

An Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon can diagnose and treat a wide variety conditions. The following are just some of the many conditions, treatments and procedures oral and maxillofacial surgeon deal with on a daily basis:

• TMJ, Facial Pain, & Facial Reconstruction
• Dental Implants
• Tooth Extractions & Impacted Teeth
• Wisdom Teeth
• Misaligned Jaws
• Cleft Lip & Palate
• Apicoectomy
• Oral Cancers , Tumors, Cysts, & Biopsies
• Sleep Apnea
• Facial Cosmetic Surgery

Whether your dentist refers you to our office, you have pain or symptoms causing you concern, or you simply have questions you would like answered, please contact our office today to schedule an appointment. We are here to answer your questions and provide the treatment you deserve.