How to Find a Kissimmee Dentist?

You may have noticed that your Kissimmee dentist has either DDS or DMD after their name, but what do those initials actually mean?

How to Find a Kissimmee Dentist?

Find the best dentist in Kissimmee, FL. Read ratings and reviews from past patients to make an informed decision. Choose a dentist that fits your needs and schedule an appointment.

Oral sedation is a prescription medication that you take at the recommended time before your visit. It allows you to feel relaxed and calm by the time your procedure begins.

DDS or DMD

You may have noticed that your Kissimmee dentist has either DDS or DMD after their name, but what do those initials actually mean? The short answer is that the difference lies in the university that awards them one degree or the other. It has nothing to do with training, accreditation, or state licensure requirements. It simply comes down to Harvard and Baltimore College of Dental Surgery choosing different Latin terms to identify their programs.

While the difference is minor, it can affect the competitiveness of a dental school program. This is particularly true if you are applying to a highly ranked dental school. The more competitive schools will likely award DDS or DMD, but they will still expect you to have a strong academic record and an impressive application package. It’s much the same as MD and DO medicine degrees; they have different names, but they’re the same degree.

Oral Sedation

If you or your child suffer from dental anxiety or phobia, oral sedation may be a solution. Our dentists will recommend the sedative medication best suited for your individual needs & medical history.

Oral Sedation (sometimes referred to as “light sedation”) allows you to relax & feel comfortable during your appointment. You remain awake but drowsy during your treatment. This type of sedation is safe for children & adults. After your procedure is complete, we will administer pure oxygen to flush the sedative from your system. You will then be able to drive yourself home.

Due to the lingering effects of oral sedation, it is important that you have someone available to drive you to & from your appointment & take care of you afterward. You may experience drowsiness, nausea or a headache, & should avoid working or engaging in intense physical activity until the side effects have worn off. Also, if you are taking any blood thinners, oral sedation may not be a good option for you.

IV Sedation

Many people avoid dental treatment on a regular basis due to anxiety and fear. This can be a detriment to your oral health, smile and self-esteem, but sedation dentistry makes it possible for even the most hesitant patients to receive vital treatment.

The Kissimmee dentists at Greenville Family Dentistry have received advanced training in sedation dentistry. They are certified to provide oral conscious sedation, and they are licensed by the State of Florida to administer moderate IV sedation.

IV sedation allows the dentist to deliver a dose of medication directly into the patient’s vein. This type of sedation induces profound relaxation and alleviates apprehension, making it ideal for extensive dental procedures. It also allows the dentist to perform multiple procedures in one visit.

Patients receiving this type of sedation should prepare for their appointment by arranging a ride to and from the dentist’s office, as the effects of the drug can last several hours. This includes refraining from eating or drinking anything for 6-8 hours prior to the procedure.

Emergency Dentistry

A dental emergency is an issue that can’t wait for a regular appointment. This issue may cause severe pain or swelling in the mouth or jaw. It can also be caused by an accident. A dentist can diagnose and treat the problem to help alleviate the symptoms.

If the problem is life threatening, the patient should go to an emergency room. ER staff is better equipped to handle medical emergencies than a dental office of Kissimmee dentist.

Some examples of a dental emergency include tooth loss, broken tooth fillings, and swollen gums. It is also important to visit an emergency dentist for bleeding after a surgery or in patients with congenital hemorrhage disorders or systemic diseases that affect hemostasis. Bleeding that is not treated promptly can lead to a large intraoral hematoma and could compromise airway. It is a good idea to have clean gauze on hand for this situation. If the bleeding continues, the dentist can stitch the site to stop the blood flow.