Sedation Dentistry and Full Mouth Reconstruction
Sedation dentistry is sometimes referred to as sleep dentistry. That is a misnomer. There is only one level of sedation dentistry that you are actually fully asleep. Dr. Carson and her team at Westlake Dental Arts in Westlake Village will answer all of your questions about Sedation Dentistry. Call us today at 818-889-0400. Sedation dentistry involves using medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. The varying levels of sedation dentistry include:
- Minimal – you are fully aware, awake, and feeling relaxed.
- Moderate – you may not be as aware and have minimal memory of the procedure.
- Deep – you are on the cusp of consciousness but you can be woken up.
- General Anesthesia – you are in a completely unconscious state.
These are the following types of Sedation used in Sedation Dentistry:
- Nitrous Oxide – this is an inhaled sedation procedure. The gas you inhale helps you to relax. The dentist controls the amount you receive and the gas wears off fairly quickly. This is also called “laughing gas”.
- Oral Sedation – This form of sedation can range from minimal to moderate. You will be given a pill to take before the procedure. The pill helps you relax and may make you sleepy. When people think about sedation dentistry, this is the most common form of sedation that they think of.
- Intravenous Sedation – You receive the sedation drug through your vein, so the effects of the sedation are quicker and can be more easily altered. IV sedation is often done by a dental anesthesiologist who specifically focuses on the sedation part of the procedure while your dentist does the dental work.
- General Anesthesia – This form of sedation you will be in a deep sleep and completely unconscious. While under this procedure, you cannot easily awaken until the anesthesia wears off or are woken up with medication. This type of sedation will also be provided by an anesthesiologist while your dentist performs the dental procedures.
Sedation dentistry allows you to be in a relaxed state and gives the dentist the time to complete most procedures in one appointment.
Call us today.