Every dentist has heard this statement over and over again. One out of two adult Americans is so terrified of dental treatment that he or she puts off dentistry they know they need. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Sedation dentistry employs the use of traditional medical sedatives in such a fashion that you are comfortable during treatment and have little or no memory of the treatment afterward. In many cases, all dental work (including cleanings) can be done in only one visit... read more
As far as equipment is concerned, I have the best technology has to offer in the following:
Low dose x-ray equipment - for a thorough, complete, quality diagnosis with maximum patient safety and peace of mind.
Digital Photography - for proper treatment planning and documentation of all cases before, during and after all procedures. Our patients love seeing their "before-and-after" photos of their new smile.
Intraoral video camera system - our patients rave about the fact they have the option to see... read more
What landed me in Santa Cruz were my church and my extended family. I love the Santa Cruz mountains and the ocean, the numerous out-door activities we can do year-round, and I think it’s the most beautiful place in the world to live and raise a family.
Yet, it’s the people that I love the most. Along with actively living my faith and participating in my church (I’m an Orthodox Christian), I am heavily involved in youth sports- mostly coaching little league baseball, but also youth... read more
Dr. Peabody earned his bachelor's degree in Physiology and Cell Biology from the University of California in Santa Barbara, where he graduated with honors. He then earned his DDS degree from the University of California in San Francisco one of the top two dental schools in the world. Married and a father of four children, he has been practicing family dentistry in Santa Cruz since 1988, with strong emphasis on prevention of dental disease. His philosophy is to prevent and/or correct dental... read more
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a junction of bones and ligaments located on each side of your head that allows movement of your jaw for speaking and chewing. The name TMJ comes from the two bones that enter its formation, the temporal bone and the mandible (also known as the jawbone). If you position your fingers in front of your ears and slowly open your mouth, you can feel your TMJ and its movement. Try it!
Over time, a patient may experience a disease linked with one or both of their...
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Six myths about root canal therapy
Root canals get a lot of bad press. Even President Obama, in his first State of the Union address, said that the bank bailout was “as popular as a root canal.” While I’m sure that no one actually looks forward to getting a root canal, they don’t deserve all this negativity. Let’s look at some common myths about root canal therapy to try to separate fact from fiction.
Myth #1: Root Canal Therapy is Painful
The reality is that most root canal treatments are done because a tooth is already painful... read more
If you are one of those people who has a fearful reaction to the thought of visiting the dentist you are not alone. Over 75% of people have some level of fear when visiting the dentist. Some just have this reaction and others may have gotten it after a particularly negative earlier visit to a dentist.
For many it can be overcome by just "pushing through", but others experience such a level of fear it can be said to be a phobia and cannot just "push through". This is where... read more
Radiographs, or X-rays, are used in every dental office. They are a great way to see the teeth and bones, and they make sure they are healthy. In the past, X-rays were taken using little pieces of covered film. They were placed in the mouth and exposed using an X-ray machine. They always jabbed inside the mouth and seemed to take forever to be processed. Well, those days are now behind us! In the new era of dentistry, dentists are using digital radiography. The same X-ray machine is used to... read more
To sleep or not to sleep, that is the question. Sedation dentistry can be very helpful for fearful patients or for procedures that require extensive work without the patient feeling or remembering it. Sedation does not necessarily mean that you are asleep, but it can help put you in a calm state of being. Oral consciousness and IV sedation can be used in general dentistry or in specialty offices.
If the thought of getting a filling sends you reeling in fear, an oral sedation might help you out... read more
Utilizing a soft tissue laser allows for necessary gum incisions to be made with less damage to the tissue. This new technology also causes less discomfort and bleeding, and in some cases eliminates the need for anesthesia and/or stitches.