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Dallas, TX – One of the newer techniques offered for cosmetic dentistry procedures is sedation dentistry and this can help take the anxiety out of a procedure for most patients. Sedation dentistry involves putting the patient into various levels of relaxed sedation to allow them to have a procedure done that they would normally avoid for fear of the pain.

Sedation dentistry can be used for almost any cosmetic dentistry procedure available and the level of sedation can be adjusted from mild to complete unconsciousness depending on the patient. This process uses carefully administered medication to help a patient relax. This technique is sometimes referred to as sleep dentistry and this is not entirely accurate since the patient is actually awake for the procedure, but sedated. There are four levels of sedation that can be used for a patient and the level chosen is dependant on the procedure being performed as well as the dentist and patient’s judgment and experience.

The simplest form of sedation dentistry is done under mild sedation. In this state the patient will be almost completely awake, but more relaxed. This is used in cases where patients have a little bit of anxiety about a specific procedure and this technique will help them relax a bit and relieve some of the stress associated with the process. The next level of sedation is called moderate sedation and in this case the patient will be even more relaxed and may be slurring their speech as a result of the medication. When this level of sedation is administered, the patient may not remember details of the procedure being performed. The next level is called deep sedation and still has the patient on the edge of unconsciousness but can be awakened if needed by the dentist. This is one of the most common levels for patients that are very anxious about a procedure and gives the dentist the flexibility to rouse the patient if needed to answer questions about the procedure. The deepest level of sedation is general anesthesia and in this state the patient is completely unconscious. This can be used for patients that are particularly anxious about visiting the dentist and can simply wake up after the process has been completed.

The medication used in sedation dentistry can be administered in a few different ways and will depend on the patient’s preference and the medication used. Mild sedation may be administered through the inhalation of a gas like nitrous oxide that is mixed with oxygen through a mask. This produces a slightly relaxed feeling and will wear off quickly. This is the only form of sedation that allows you to drive yourself home after the visit. Many of the medications used for sedation dentistry are taken orally and usually an hour or so before the procedure to ensure they have taken affect. Through the use of sedation dentistry a cosmetic dentist can help a patient with procedures that they might normally avoid due to anxiety or nerves. This can make a huge difference in their dental health and allow them to overcome their fear of dental procedures.