How can we help you?
At Peak Family Dentistry, we always have time to answer your questions and address your concerns. Below, we have compiled the questions we hear most often from our patients. If you have a question not covered here, or if you would like further information, contact our dental office today.
Operating Room Dentistry
Operating room dentistry may be considered for select patients who cannot comfortably or safely complete dental treatment in a routine office setting. This may include patients with special needs, developmental disabilities, medical complexity, physical limitations, severe anxiety, extensive treatment needs, or extreme difficulty tolerating routine dental visits.
No. Operating room dentistry is an important option for many special needs patients, but it may also be considered for medically complex patients, patients with severe anxiety, patients with physical limitations, or patients who need extensive dental care that is difficult to complete over multiple office visits.
The treatment depends on the patient's diagnosis and needs. It may include x-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, periodontal care, or other appropriate treatment that can be safely coordinated in that setting. A consultation is needed to determine whether operating room dentistry is appropriate.
The decision begins with consultation, diagnosis, medical history review, and discussion with the patient, caregiver, physician, or care team when appropriate. Some patients can receive care in the dental office with accommodations. Others may need the added support and coordination of an operating room setting.
Yes. Dr. Lance Vicente maintains operating room privileges at Hackensack University Medical Center and has experience with medically complex and special needs patients, where he has treated patients for over 10 years. That background helps support care planning when an operating room setting may be appropriate, both inpatient and outpatient when appropriate.
If office-based care is not appropriate, operating room dentistry may be considered for select patients. This can be helpful when a patient needs extensive treatment, cannot tolerate routine visits, has medical complexity, or would benefit from a more controlled setting.
