Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When your IV sedation begins, a thin needle will be inserted into your arm or hand vein. This needle is attached to an intravenous tube through which we administer medication to help you relax and feel comfortable. Where a patient's vein may not sustain a needle for the duration of the procedure, we administer the sedative and retrieve the needle. Either scenario achieves the desired level of conscious sedation.

Some patients may remain asleep while others slip in and out of consciousness. Our goal with IV sedation is to use as little medication as possible to complete the treatment. With IV sedation, a constant "drip" is maintained via the intravenous tube. An antidote can be administered at any time to reverse the medications' effects if necessary. IV sedation is very safe when you seek this form of sedation with a qualified dentist like Dr. Schillinger!

Other Forms of Sedation We Offer in O'Fallon, IL

Along with IV sedation, we also offer other levels of sedation. For example, we can provide nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or nitrous oxide in combination with oral sedation. Again, our goal is to tailor the anesthesia to your needs. But regardless of your sedation choice, Dr. Schillinger applies and monitors your safety during the entire procedure.

Sedation dentistry is an excellent option for those with dental anxiety but also for the elderly or those on the spectrum or with differentiations that might make complex care more difficult.

For many people in O'Fallon, dental implants are the end-all, be-all of teeth replacement options. Although they aren't the only way to replace a missing tooth or teeth, they do offer several advantages:

1. Dental implants are fixed in the jawbone for added permanence
2. They don't shift or feel loose
3. A single tooth implant doesn't impact surrounding teeth
4. Dental implants are easier to clean
5. They look and perform like natural teeth

To ensure that any dental implant procedure is successful, Dr. Schillinger's team needs to assess your bone health to be sure that the bone structure can support your implant's artificial root.

How a Bone Graft Works

We can provide a bone graft to bulk up your jaw bone if you have insufficient bone mass for a dental implant. This procedure is required, most notably when your teeth have been missing for a long time or when you have osteoporosis.

The bone graft grows into your jawbone and helps regenerate new bone tissue to support the implant. If your tooth loss is recent and your jawbone is healthy, we may not need to perform a bone graft. But your sinus may interfere with specific implant locations even with good bone health. In this case, we may offer a sinus lift, which places new bone tissue between the implant root and your sinus to separate them.

The healing process can vary widely from person to person. Whether it's a minor cut or recovering from surgery, factors like a person's age, immune health, and general well-being influence how long recovery may take. This is also true for dental implants.

After Dr. Schillinger has placed your implant's titanium root, your jawbone and gums will need several weeks to heal before we perform any further work. This gives your jaw and the implant screw time to fuse. During this process, the titanium structure, which is known as osseointegration, integrates into your bone structure to provide a robust and stable base for your final restoration. 

The total time from the implant surgery to complete healing may range from three to six months.

How Do You Confirm Healing Is Complete?

 At Innovation Dental, we can take advantage of leading-edge technology to assess your level of healing. With our Osstell handheld device, we can scan your implant site, and the tool translates your healing status into a single number. When that number is appropriate, Dr. Schillinger will place your final restoration, whether it be one crown for a single tooth replacement or an implant bridge where you need multiple teeth replaced.

What Is Gum Disease?

Periodontal or gum disease occurs when bacteria-filled plaque builds up on your teeth, causing your gum tissue to become infected. Once infected, it can eventually spread to your bones and cause tooth loss, so it's important not to let it go untreated.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Typically, improper home care causes gum disease; if you don’t brush and floss well enough or often enough, plaque forms on your teeth and hardens. Once the plaque hardens, it is known as tartar, and you can't remove tartar from your teeth at home. When you visit Innovation Dental, we can professionally clean your teeth and remove the tartar buildup.

What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?

There are several obvious signs of gum disease; if your gums are swollen or bleeding, or if they are receding or moving away from the teeth, you need to seek dental care. Also, if you have loose teeth or bad breath this could be another sign of gum disease.

You should call your dental professional to schedule an appointment if you have any of these symptoms.

What Can You Do to Prevent Gum Disease?

There are several things you can do to prevent gum disease from happening in the first place, so make sure you:

• Visit your dentist twice a year for professional cleanings.
• Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss your teeth daily.

Are You Looking for Gum Disease Treatment in O’Fallon, IL?

If you need to schedule a visit with our dental team or have any questions about gum disease, please contact us at (618) 277-6550.

If you need or already have dentures but don't like how poorly they stay secured in your mouth, our full arch implant-supported bridge could be your solution. These are options for those whose teeth continue to fail and constantly need repair. Replacing up to an entire row of teeth, this treatment appliance restores your ability to eat what you want with a set of teeth that are comfortable and complete.

In addition to transforming one's appearance, we have also seen our patients undergo a life transformation as well. This option can be attainable as Dr. Schillinger may complete all phases of this treatment in his office. Our process is unique and is a proven method that incorporates a high level of professional care with exceptional technology and artistry.

We design your fully implant-supported bridge to stay in place when you speak and chew food. This appliance is supported by 4-6 implants and does not merely sit on your gums, hoping that suction or adhesives can keep it securely positioned. Instead, implants create a stable and functional foundation for your custom bridge, preventing many problems common with traditional dentures. As a result, they fit better, work better, and are more manageable.

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is often a silent menace to your oral health. It can progress with few, if any, symptoms, and by the time you know it directly, it may be advanced and cause other problems like bite misalignments and tooth loss.

The best defense against gum disease starts with your regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings with one of our excellent dental hygienists. But what you do at home also matters. We recommend you brush twice daily and floss every evening. It's especially vital that you brush before you go to bed.

During sleep, germs thrive as your mouth tends to be drier, and because you go hours during sleep without drinking water, you cannot benefit from how it rinses away disease-causing bacteria. Our hygienists will be happy to show you good brushing and flossing techniques.

Other Ways to Prevent Gum Disease in O'Fallon, IL

Dr. Schillinger and his team can offer several other steps to prevent gum disease. Among these are:

• Avoid tobacco use; smoking and chewing are bad for your gums
• Eat a healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Minimize sugary snacks and always drink water to rinse away accumulations
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash, especially after brushing and flossing before bed
• If you have a health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, your gums may need extra attention
• Always share changes you notice with your dental team during your checkups

The best news about gum disease is that if we catch it early enough, its effects are entirely reversible.

Intravenous sedation, or "twilight sleep," helps you to be comfortable and calm when undergoing dental procedures. Intravenous sedation, or "IV sedation," is designed to better enable you to undergo dental procedures while very relaxed. You may not always be asleep, but you will be comfortable, calm, and relaxed, drifting in and out of sleep – a "twilight sleep."

This option is for patients who can't tolerate uncomfortable procedures and are actually looking to have no memory of their treatments. In these ways, IV sedation will alleviate the anxiety associated with your treatment while not creating new trauma that fuels future stress and worry. 

When you choose the option of intravenous sedation, Dr. Schillinger administers and treats you all at our O'Fallon, IL location, eliminating the cost of having your treatment carried out in an operating room or same-day surgical facility.

We Also Offer Nitrous Oxide Sedation

For a milder sedation option, you can choose inhaled nitrous oxide, also called "laughing gas." This option has numerous advantages over other options, such as:

• Your level of sedation is adjustable
• Few side-effects
• No lasting after-effects
• No needles
• A pleasant relaxed sensation that dissipates quickly
• Monitored by a dental professional

Regardless of your level of dental anxiety, we can offer a solution that lessens your experience while allowing you to receive the dental care you need and deserve.