What, Exactly, is Relaxation Dentistry?

Relaxation dentistry provides safe, a method of managing pain and anxiety during professional dental care though the use of medication, is a comfortable dental treatment for patients with special needs.

How can I benefit from relaxation dentistry? You can benefit from relaxation dentistry if you experience one of more of the following:

* High fear of dental care
* Complex dental problems
* Traumatic dental experiences
* Fear of needles and shots
* Trouble getting numb
* Sensitive teeth

The two most common types of relaxation dentistry are:

Anxiety Free Dentistry

Through this type of sedation you will experience very deep relaxation while still being conscious. Your doctor will provide you with an oral medication that is easy to swallow, safe, and low cost. Most adults will receive Halcion (triazolam), though children are usually given a liquid medication like Versed (Medazolan). When the medication takes effect, you will be able to speak and respond to external requests.

Inhalation Sedation

Inhalation sedation uses Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen (laughing gas) to help your body achieve a relaxed state. This is the most popular form of sedation used in dentistry today.

If you have any questions about relaxation dentistry, or about your treatment at Advanced Dental Concepts, please feel free to give us a call!

What's the deal with all that Halloween candy?

It's Halloween, and Dr. Spurlock, as well as Drs. Ed and Forrest Faulkner, understand sour candy is a part of any Halloween celebration. But while sour candies can be delicious, they are arguably as unhealthy for your teeth as sweet candy. The reason is, sour candies tend to be very acidic, and are capable of burning your cheeks and gums while wearing down the enamel on your teeth.

Our team at Advanced Dental Concepts would like to remind you that if you should experience a craving for sour candies on Halloween or in the future, please:

1. Remember to rinse your mouth with water immediately after consuming candy, drink milk, or eat a couple pieces of cheese.

2. Do not brush immediately after consuming sour candy. The candy's acidic nature tends to soften tooth enamel. Brushing your teeth can mean abrading the enamel.

3. Limit the amount of sour candies that you consume on a daily basis. If you do indulge, remember not to suck or chew on sour candies for long periods of time.

If tooth erosion has already begun, ask us about ways to reduce sensitivity and continue to protect your teeth.

Hope this helps! Advanced Dental Concepts wishes you a happy and safe Halloween!

Oral cancer screening with VELscope® at Advanced Dental Concepts

In our continuing efforts to provide the most advanced technology and highest quality dental care, our team at Advanced Dental Concepts is proud to include the VELscope® Oral Cancer Screening System as an integral part of our comprehensive oral cancer screening program. Every hour of every day in the United States someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth most common diagnosed form of the disease. The 5-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved.

But there's a revolutionary device that provides our team at Advanced Dental Concepts with an easy-to-use oral examination system for the early detection of abnormal soft tissue. Clinical studies have determined that using VELscope after the standard oral cancer examination improves the dentist's ability to identify, evaluate and monitor suspicious areas at their earliest stages. Early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and possibly save your life.

So, how does it work? VELscope emits a safe blue light into your mouth, which causes the tissue to appear different colours through the viewfinder. This allows us at Advanced Dental Concepts to tell the difference between normal and abnormal tissue. Best of all, the procedure is quick, painless and potentially life-saving. Ask us about a screening at your next appointment!

Learn more by watching VELscope® at work on the Dr. Oz show!

Happy Monday!

What are patients saying about Advanced Dental Concepts lately?

If you know our team at Advanced Dental Concepts, you know we LOVE hearing from our patients – check out what a few of our patients are saying about Drs. Faulkner and Spurlock & our staff lately! Thanks for writing in, everyone! By the way, Facebook is a great place to tell us how we’re doing, but we also encourage you to head to our Google Places page or our Yelp listing and leave a short review there. Your generous reviews help us build more beautiful smiles!

"Outstanding I have been going to Advanced Dental Concepts for the last 15 years and have always had great experiences. The staff is wonderful and have always gone above and beyond to make my experience pleasurable. They are more than just a dentist office, they are a real part of our overall health care community. Also, I have noticed they are always up to date on the latest techniques. I would recommend them to anyone." - Angel

"The Best I have visited Advanced Dental Concept numerous times over the past several years. Although I am not the bravest patient, I have always been met with patience and understanding from the staff. I don't live very close to this office, however; it is certainly worth the trip. On my last visit, not only did I get the work done that was needed, but I also got the bleach whitening treatment. The difference is amazing. My thanks and appreciation to the entire staff!!! I highly recommend this group of professionals to anyone looking for dental care." - Anonymous

"Excellent! I have suffered from a fear of dental work for years. Advanced Dental Concepts is so wonderful that not only do I no longer have any fear...I actually enjoy my visits. The staff is the friendliest and most caring that I have ever encountered. Their work is superb! Do not hesitate to make an appointment with Advanced Dental Concepts!!!" - Stephen

Denture wearers! Attention!

We hope you're off to a great week! For any of our patients at Advanced Dental Concepts who wear dentures, Drs. Faulkner and Spurlock encourage you to read this helpful article about excess zinc intake and the effect it might have on your overall health.

The study, published in the March/April 2011 issue of General Dentistry, notes that denture wearers should pay special attention to the amount of zinc they consume and highlights that “over time, toxic levels of zinc could cause a copper deficiency, which has been linked to neurological damage.”

If you happen to be a denture-wearer, please let us know if you have any questions, or ask us during your next visit!

At Advanced Dental Concepts, October is National Dental Hygiene Month!

With October here, our staff at Advanced Dental Concepts know this is a great opportunity for us to remind all our patients about the need to take care of your teeth and gums. After all, October is National Dental Hygiene Month.

Your teeth are an important part of your body, and keeping them clean helps keep your mouth and your body healthy. By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet and visiting our convenient office in Pace on a regular basis, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile throughout your entire life. We are committed to providing optimum care for all our patients in a compassionate manner, and your health and comfort are foremost in our minds.

We encourage you to check out the official National Dental Hygiene Month website, which provides pointers on keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Lastly, has it been six months since your last visit to Advanced Dental Concepts? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to give us a call at (850) 304-0027 to set up an appointment.

Happy Monday!

In love with your new smile? Tell the world about it!

At Advanced Dental Concepts, we are committed to providing optimum care for all our patients in a compassionate manner. Your health and comfort are foremost in our minds. We will thoroughly evaluate your dental needs and make recommendations to provide you with a complete care program to achieve your goals.

Whether you've been seen by Drs. Faulkner or Spurlock for a week, months or years, we'd love to hear your feedback about how our dental practice is faring! There are lots of ways you can share your thoughts about Advanced Dental Concepts with the rest of the world, but we encourage you to head to our Google Local page and write a review there. Or, you may review us on Yelp or Facebook if you wish. After all, reviews help us create more beautiful smiles in Pace and surrounding communities!

You may write a review here. Thanks in advance and have a great week! We look forward to reading your reviews!