Smiles4OC has a team of exceptionally-qualified doctors, Drs. Thomas J. Rolfes, Christina T. Do, and Timothy J. Rolfes who are committed to continuing education in the field of dentistry, to administer most of your dental treatment. For your convenience, we also have associates to handle specialty situations. Costa Mesa, CA area patients can enjoy specialty dentistry including oral surgery and root canal treatment with our team of professionals. We encourage patients to learn more about these services to better understand how they can be used to enhance the smile’s health and wellness.
One example of specialty dentistry is a root canal procedure. The root canal in your tooth holds the vital pulp which sends temperature and pain sensations to your brain, and provides nourishment to the tooth. The nerve can be damaged from trauma or severe decay. You know if the nerve dies or become infected – you will have a toothache or an abscess.
We conduct vitality testing, checking your reaction to hot, cold, and pressure. X-rays help us further detect the cause of your toothache. We will introduce you to our endodontist who specializes in root canal procedures. An endodontist is experienced and trained in performing root canal therapy, which is also referred to as “endodontic therapy.” Patients are welcome to ask this professional about the procedure and how it works so they can rest easy knowing that are getting the care necessary for their specific dental needs.
Using state-of-the-art anesthesia and/or sedation to ensure your comfort, the diseased tissue is removed. The pulp chamber is sterilized, and the space filled with gutta percha and sealed with composite resin bonding. Then, the tooth will be protected with a crown. You will experience no further pain or sensation and the tooth is saved. Drs. Thomas J. Rolfes, Christina T. Do, and Timothy J. Rolfes can often complete this treatment in one visit. Patients who undergo treatment will be given aftercare instructions following their procedure to reduce the risk of developing infection or other issues following their services. Patients may also have a follow-up appointment scheduled with their dentist to check up on the work that has been completed.
Oral surgery is another type of specialty dentistry. Most adults will get wisdom teeth, a final set of molars. Unfortunately, about 80 percent of the population does not have enough room for wisdom teeth. They may emerge at an unsuitable angle, interfering with proper bite; causing crowding of healthy teeth; or producing mouth cysts. At this point, it is beneficial for patients to have their third molars removed by a dental professional. Because the molars typically have not erupted through the gum line, they require the dentist to access underneath the gum line to get to the tooth to remove it. This is done during oral surgery and with great care. If the wisdom teeth have already come through the gum line, then a simpler surgical procedure is used. This is when the area is numbed, and the dentist will essentially wedge the tooth out from the bone using a special extraction instrument. Stitches are often not required when patients undergo simple extractions instead of surgical extraction. We will arrange for an oral surgeon to see you in our office, for sedation and extraction of the troublesome wisdom teeth. Patients do not need to be referred out to another professional for their treatment thanks to our in-office services.
Many of our specialty dentistry procedures are done with the assistance of sedation. Sedation dentistry allows our patients to relax while they have their procedures done and address dental anxieties that may otherwise keep patients from receiving the care they require to improve their oral health. Sedation methods available in our practice include the following:
- Nitrous oxide – also known as “laughing gas,” this is administered through the nose and provides almost instant relaxation for our patients. It is one of the most popular options for patients who have mild anxieties or issues such as a strong gag reflex to ensure comfort throughout their treatment.
- Oral conscious sedation – a wonderful option for patients with moderate dental anxieties. The dentist will prescribe a medication to be taken the day of the appointment before arriving at the office for their dental treatment. Patients who consider oral conscious sedation need to arrange transportation to and from the office for their appointment for safety.
- IV sedation – more severe cases of dental anxiety can be addressed with the use of IV sedation. This administers sedation directly into the bloodstream and provides a deeper level of relaxation for our patients.
- General anesthesia – for children and extremely anxious adults, we may recommend general anesthesia. Patients are put completely “under” for their dental work and will not be awake at all throughout their procedure.
The sedation method right for one patient may not be the one right for another. It is essential that patients visit Drs. Thomas J. Rolfes, Christina T. Do, or Timothy J. Rolfes to determine the sedative best for their specific levels of anxiety. Some patients may benefit from stronger levels of sedation if they are undergoing several procedures in one sitting. This is best for patient comfort and is commonly used in cases where full mouth rehabilitation is being performed.
With this combination of specialists and Drs. Thomas J. Rolfes, Christina T. Do, and Timothy J. Rolfes, you will be assured of exceptional dental care in a familiar environment. Our facility, located at 1530 Baker Street, Suite J, can be reached for an appointment at (714) 557-0700. We welcome new patients in the area of Costa Mesa, CA for quality care and attention with a dedicated team of professionals.
Dr. Thomas
Dr. Christina
Dr. Tim
Having earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Loyola Marymount University and his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Georgetown University, Dr. Thomas Rolfes has been providing dental care from his Costa Mesa location since 1984. He holds a Fellowship from the Academy of General Dentistry, among memberships from many prestigious organizations. Dr. Christina Do specializes in laser dentistry, and Dr. Timothy Rolfes, whose passion is community dentistry, comprises the team, which also includes skilled hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative staff who are dedicated to helping the people of the area fulfill their dental needs.
