Halloween is almost here, and lots of people like to dress up as something scary to celebrate.
If you one of them, you could be a ghoul. You could be a ghost or a goblin.
But if you really want to scare some people, then you might want to dress as a dentist.
Dental anxiety or fear of the dentist affects roughly 1 in 11 people in the United States, and that’s based on conservative estimates. Knowing this, we are making a real effort to make dental care more relaxing for our patients in and around Fort Myers and North Naples, FL.
This starts with the compassion you’ll feel every member of our team from the time you walk in the door until you visit with George A. Hoop, DDS.
Below, we want to discuss some of the things we do that have helped several patients feel more at east having their teeth cleaned by us. To experience them in person, call (239) 594-8817 to set up an appointment with our team.

Advanced Technology

In our previous post, we discuss our CBCT X-ray machine. This makes three-dimensional images that help us diagnose problems better than ever.
But technology can also improve your experience at our office.
For example, many people are worried about gagging when they visit the dentist. One of the reasons for that is impression trays. Most people can recall biting down on a tray filled with goo while trying not to gag.
If you come to our office, you won’t have to worry about that. We use an intraoral scanner instead. This allows us to make digital impressions — no gag-worthy gooey trays required.
Another great example is our dental lasers. This makes treatment of periodontal problems as well as cosmetic gum reshaping simpler for you. With the laser was can gently remove gum tissue without a scalpel. This usually means no stitches are needed, and it reduces your recovery time as well.

Stop Worrying & Try Sedation Dentistry

For patients with stronger anxiety, there are other options. Dental sedation has been used for a long time to block pain. It also has an added benefit of helping to ease your mind.
At Dr. Hoop’s offices, we offer two kinds of sedation.
Inhaled sedation, which no may know better as laughing gas, has been used for more than 150 years in dental care. Today, we have a much better understanding of how to use it to give you the maximum pain-blocking and anxiety stopping benefits.
The effects both take effect and wear off quickly.
Oral sedation is a little stronger. This involves taking medication prior to your appointment. It also blocks pain and reduces anxiety. The effects can last for a few hours, so you will need someone else to take you home if you choose this option.

One Step at a Time

We wish we could wave a magic wand and make dental anxiety disappear. The truth is it takes a little bit of patience and some trust to overcome your fear of the dentist. Yet, we are confident that you can do it, and we will be happy to help.
Just call (239) 594-8817 or contact us online to learn more or to request an appointment at either of our locations.

Technology is constantly changing, and that’s as true in modern dentistry as it is any field.
In the video below, George A. Hoop, DDS, discuss how technology is improving how we diagnose problems. Our CBCT X-ray machine allows us to see your teeth and mouth in three dimensions. This also helps when planning and preparing your treatment.
In short, it means better dental care for you at both our North Naples and Fort Myers, FL locations.
To experience the benefits of this technology for yourself, schedule your next dental checkup with us. Fill out our online form or call (239) 594-8817 today!

It may go without saying, but grinding your teeth together is not good for you. It can damage the enamel and cause cracks in your teeth. It also can contribute to TMJ troubles.
Today, we’ve put together a short quiz. It can help you find out if you should talk to George A. Hoop, DDS, about our teeth grinding and TMJ treatment. We don’t want you to suffer … and we want you to keep smiling.
You can call (239) 594-8817 or contact us online to request an appointment at either of our locations in Fort Myers or North Naples, FL.

We consider ourselves to be a general dentist office serving the needs of families in and around North Naples and Fort Myers, FL.
To understand why families keep coming back to see us, we encourage to listen to one Bill I., a father and one of our patients, has to say about what we do.
To learn more about our approach to family care at the offices of George A. Hoop, DDS, contact us online or call (239) 594-8817 to request a visit with us.

You’ve lived with dentures for years.
When you first got them, they were great … especially compared to having no teeth at all.
But today, you have grown tired of using denture adhesives just to eat a small meal. You are sick of worrying when your teeth with start sliding around again.
You want something better. You want teeth that feel stable and secure.
So, you should schedule a consultation with George A. Hoop, DDS, to discuss mini dental implants. At either office in Fort Myers or North Naples, FL, you can get the help you need to rebuild your smile and bring back your bite.
To get started, call us today at (239) 594-8817.

What Implants Do

Traditional dentures only replace the crowns of your lost teeth. They are missing something vital — a replacement for that missing roots. That’s precisely what dental implants do.
The problem is that the longer you live without implants, the more likely it is that you have lost tissue in your jawbone. As your jaw shrinks, it changes the shape of your face. That also affects how your dentures fit, which is why dentures need to be replaced or refitted regularly.
Having implants can do three important things. First, it can prevent further bone loss, which is a very good thing. Second, the implants anchor your dentures in place, so you won’t need adhesives to hold them in place.
And third, having implants creates a direct connection from your jawbone to your replacement teeth. That allows you to put more force into every bite and chew, which means you can eat the foods that you love without worrying that your teeth might come out.

Why You Might Prefer Mini Implants

It won’t surprise you to know that mini implants are like standard implants, only smaller.
One of the big reasons to consider mini implants is the bone loss that we mentioned above. If you are missing too much bone tissue, then your jaw won’t be able to support your implants.
The old way to fix this problem was by getting a bone graft. In effect, this is a bone tissue transplant meant to rebuild the size and strength of your jaw.
It also meant you were out the expense of the procedure, and you had to wait for months to heal before you could get implants.
Mini implants give many people a way to cut out that middle step and start enjoying their implant-supported dentures sooner. By going smaller, we can place your implants, and you can recover faster, too.
With your mini implants in place, you can stop continued bone loss, smile with confidence, and stop worrying about whether you can eat anything on the menu.

Get Back More Than Your Smile

For many patients, mini implants are just as effective as standard implants. Dr. Hoop has helped many people in and around Fort Myers and North Naples, FL feel like themselves again thanks to mini implants.
To find out what they could do for you, schedule a consultation soon. Contact us online or call (239) 594-8817.