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Sedation dentistry helps you feel calm, relaxed and at ease during dental procedures. It’s a moderate level of sedation, so you’re still technically awake but feeling very carefree. It’s sometimes called conscious sedation dentistry or “twilight sleep” because it creates a state of short-term amnesia (forgetfulness) where you experience insensitivity to pain without the loss of consciousness.

What types of sedation are used in dentistry?

There are varying levels of sedation dentistry based on your unique needs. Factors include your level of anxiety, the length of your procedure, your health history and personal preferences. The most common types of sedation dentistry include nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation and intravenous (IV) sedation.

Nitrous oxide

Nitrous oxide is commonly known as “laughing gas.” You inhale nitrous oxide through a mask or nosepiece, and calming effects begin within three to five minutes. Your dentist controls the amount of sedation you receive and adjusts dosages accordingly throughout your procedure. Once your treatment is over, your dentist gives you pure oxygen to flush the nitrous oxide out of your system. Because the laughing gas leaves your system so quickly, you’ll be able to drive yourself home after the procedure.

Oral conscious sedation

With oral conscious sedation, your dentist gives you sedative medication (usually in pill form) about an hour before your procedure begins. Most dentists use triazolam (Halcion®), which is in the diazepam (Valium®) family. But your dentist might use other medications, too, including zaleplon and lorazepam. Dentists often used liquid sedation in pediatric dentistry, such as midazolam oral syrup.

Oral sedation makes you quite groggy, and you may even fall asleep. But you’ll still be able to communicate with your dentist if necessary, and you’ll awaken with a gentle nudge. Because oral sedation temporarily affects your memory and motor skills, you’ll need a friend or family member to drive you home after your procedure.

Intravenous (IV) sedation

IV sedation dentistry is the deepest form of conscious sedation available in a dental office setting. Your healthcare provider delivers sedative medications directly to your bloodstream through an IV line. During your procedure, your dentist monitors your heart rate blood pressure and oxygen levels. They can adjust your dosage at any point and can use reversal medications if necessary. Most people who receive IV sedation dentistry fall asleep and have little to no memory of their treatment when they wake up. This option is best for people with severe dental anxiety or those who are undergoing lengthy procedures.

What happens before sedation dentistry?

You’ll talk with your dentist about sedation options during your initial consultation. They’ll discuss your health history and ask about any medications or supplements you’re taking. Once they’ve gathered all the necessary information, they’ll make sedation recommendations based on your specific needs.

In most cases, you shouldn’t eat or drink anything for at least six hours before your dental appointment. Unless otherwise noted by your dentist, you should take all routine medications without interruption.

Be sure to tell your dentist if you’re taking any blood thinners, though, such as warfarin. They may ask you to skip these medications for a few days leading up to your procedure.

What happens during sedation dentistry?

Your dentist gives you sedative medications before beginning your procedure. You’ll still receive local anesthetic to numb your teeth and gums, but your dentist usually does this once you’re already feeling comfortable from the sedatives.

What happens after sedation dentistry?

Unless you choose nitrous oxide as your sedation option, you’ll need a trusted friend or family member to drive you home after your appointment. You should go straight home and rest while the sedative medication wears off.

What are the advantages of sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry eases anxieties and phobias, helping you remain calm and comfortable during dental procedures. Because your dentist can often work faster when you’re under sedation, it can result in fewer appointments. Finally, many people have so much dental anxiety that they avoid going to the dentist altogether. Sedation dentistry helps you feel more comfortable so you can receive the care you need and deserve.

Recovery time

Recovery times vary. It depends on what type of sedation you choose and how your body responds to the medications. In general, people who have nitrous oxide recover within 15 to 30 minutes and can drive themselves home following their appointment. Those who choose oral conscious sedation or IV sedation typically need about 24 hours for full recovery.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22275-sedation-dentistry

If you’re not satisfied with your smile, modern cosmetic dentistry can help. This method of professional oral care focuses on improving the appearance of your mouth, teeth, gums, and overall smile. Common procedures include teeth whitening, veneers, fillings, and implants.

Cosmetic dentistry is becoming more and more popular, with the industry as a whole projected to reach $32 billion by 2026. Although it’s not an essential procedure, cosmetic treatment can restore confidence in your smile.

What Does a Cosmetic Dentist Do?

A cosmetic dentist is responsible for a variety of procedures — from minor fixes to major surgeries. Here are a few of the cosmetic procedures they offer.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays, also known as indirect fillings, are used when a tooth is too decayed to support a typical filling. These fillings are created in a dental laboratory and bonded in place by a cosmetic dentist.

An “inlay” is when the material is bonded in the center of the tooth. An “onlay” is when the filling covers one or more parts of the tooth or covers the tooth’s entire surface.

This procedure is an alternative to the crown, preserving more of the tooth’s natural surface while still strengthening and restoring the tooth after decay or deterioration.

Dental Implants

After severe tooth decay or tooth loss, dental implants are used to replace teeth. The cosmetic dentist first attaches a screw to the jaw to provide support. Then, the implant is inserted into the bone socket of the missing tooth.

Over time, the bone and tissue fuse to the implant, securing the replacement tooth inside the mouth. Once properly attached, the dental implant should blend into the surrounding teeth.

Dental Bonding

For dental bonding, the cosmetic dentist applies a moldable resin to the tooth and hardens it with ultraviolet light. Then, they trim, shape, and polish the material to blend into the surface of the tooth.

Bonding can repair chips, cracks, misshapen teeth, and tooth decay. For minor cosmetic issues, bonding is a more affordable alternative to fillings or crowns.

Reasons to See a Cosmetic Dentist

There are many reasons you might see a cosmetic dentist, including:

• Tooth decay
• Damage (cracks, chips, etc.)
• Crooked teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Discoloration
• Missing teeth

People with damaged, decaying, crooked, or discolored teeth may also have difficulty when eating and speaking. For others, dental issues may affect their self-esteem.

According to a 2015 survey by the American Dental Association, 33% of young people are reluctant to smile due to conditions of the teeth and mouth. Another 23% of adults have cut back on their participation in social activities due to embarrassment about their smiles.

If you feel dissatisfied with your smile, a cosmetic dentist can improve the condition of your teeth.

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/

Pediatric dentists are dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teen years. They have the experience and qualifications to care for a child’s teeth, gums, and mouth throughout the various stages of childhood.

Children begin to get their baby teeth during the first 6 months of life. By age 6 or 7 years, they start to lose their first set of teeth, which eventually are replaced by secondary, permanent teeth.

Without proper dental care, children face possible oral decay and disease that can cause a lifetime of pain and complications. Early childhood dental caries—an infectious disease—is 5 times more common in children than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever. About 1 of 5 (20%) children aged 5 to 11 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth.

What kind of training do pediatric dentists have?

Pediatric dentists have completed at least:

• Four years of dental school
• Two additional years of residency training in dentistry for infants, children, teens and children with special needs

What types of treatments do pediatric dentists provide?

Pediatric dentists provide comprehensive oral health care that includes the following:

• Infant oral health exams, which include risk assessment for caries in mother and child
• Preventive dental care including cleaning and fluoride treatments, as well as nutrition and diet recommendations
• Habit counseling (for example, pacifier use and thumb sucking)
• Early assessment and treatment for straightening teeth and correcting an improper bite (orthodontics)
• Repair of tooth cavities or defects
• Diagnosis of oral conditions associated with diseases such as diabetes, congenital heart defect, asthma, hay fever and attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Management of gum diseases and conditions including ulcers, short frenula, mucoceles and pediatric periodontal disease
• Care for dental injuries (for example, fractured, displaced or knocked-out teeth)

Where can I find a pediatric dentist?

Pediatric dentists practice in a variety of locations including private practices, dental schools, and medical centers. Your pediatrician can help you find a pediatric dentist near your home.

Pediatric dentists — the best care for children

Children are not just small adults. They are not always able to be patient and cooperative during a dental exam. Pediatric dentists know how to examine and treat children in ways that make them comfortable. In addition, pediatric dentists use specially designed equipment in offices that are arranged and decorated with children in mind.

A pediatric dentist offers a wide range of treatment options, as well as expertise and training to care for your child’s teeth, gums and mouth. When your pediatrician suggests that your child receive a dental exam, you can be assured that a pediatric dentist will provide the best possible care.

https://www.healthychildren.org

Implants

If you are self-conscious because you have missing teeth, wear dentures that are uncomfortable, or don’t want to have good tooth structure removed to make a bridge, talk to your dentist to see if dental implants are an option for you.

Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth and are designed to blend in with your other teeth. They are an excellent long-term option for restoring your smile. The development and use of implants are one of the biggest advances in dentistry in the past 40 years. Dental implants are made up of titanium and other materials that are compatible with the human body. They are posts that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, where they function as a sturdy anchor for replacement teeth.

Zygomatic Implants

Zygomatic implants are dental implants that are anchored in the zygoma or cheekbone. They are prescribed for patients who have moderate, advanced, and even extreme resorption in the maxilla, or the upper jaw. Normally, when needed, zygomatic implants will be used to replace a full set of teeth in the upper jaw for patients who have severe bone loss in the maxilla.

Are Zygomatic Implants Safe?

Yes, when placed by a board-certified maxillofacial and oral surgeon, zygomatic implants are safe, effective, and painless. As these implants come near sensitive parts of the face, including the eyes and sinuses, they must be placed by a qualified and experienced surgeon to avoid serious complications.

The most effective way to understand zygomatic implants is to see them. The animation below illustrates the placement of two zygomatic implants and four traditional implants, an all-on-six implant procedure. The implants support the whole upper bridge.

Zygomatic implants make it possible to sidestep bone loss issues. The extended length of the implant allows it to anchor into a patient’s cheekbone or the zygoma. No bone grafting or sinus lifts are needed. The zygoma is a very dense bone and provides excellent implant support for the lifetime of the patient.

Why Does Losing Teeth Cause Bone Loss?

Like a muscle, bone is a tissue that requires exercise to maintain strength and mass.

A natural tooth is nested within the jawbone. Chewing and biting down regularly works the bone and tells the body to build a healthy jawbone. When the teeth are lost or removed, the surrounding jawbone is no longer stimulated by chewing activity, and this disuse quickly leads to bone loss.

When teeth must be removed, a dental implant is the last resort option to replace the missing or unsalvageable teeth. Quality dental implants, including zygomatic implants, offer a lifetime solution that is comfortable and strong, matching the look and feel of natural teeth.

How Do Implants Work?

The roots of a natural tooth are secured within the root canal of a person’s jawbone. Similarly, conventional dental implants are anchored in place by the jawbone.

Titanium is the preferred material for implants due to effective osseointegration with the patient’s jaw.

A typical implant cannot be securely secured in someone who has severe bone loss in the upper jaw, resulting in further difficulties and chronic pain or discomfort.

How Do Dental Implants Help Prevent Bone Loss?

Dental implants that imitate the natural stimulation of teeth are the most effective method for preventing further bone loss. The titanium root of a new teeth implant duplicates the pressure and stimulation of chewing, matching the natural stimulation of teeth. This gentle action signals the body to continue fortifying the jawbone, significantly reducing the risk of bone loss, and quite often leading to stronger and healthier bones.

Titanium implants imitate the role of a natural tooth root, providing stimulation to your jawbone and allowing osseointegration, and fusion with the bone.

To prevent additional bone loss, implants should be placed immediately following tooth extractions. The sooner the better.

Can You Have Dental Implants If You Suffer from Severe Bone Loss?

Since zygomatic implants can be placed in one day and have a higher success rate than bone grafting, they are the ideal solution for bone loss when receiving a full-arch prosthesis in the upper jaw.

While traditional implants are placed in the jawbone, surgeons utilize the zygomatic implant’s length to securely place them in the patient’s cheekbone, or zygoma. The zygoma is a very dense bone and provides excellent support for the lifetime of the patient.

Where Can You Get Zygomatic Implants?

Although the placement of zygomatic implants is a very safe and effective procedure, it requires the specialization and experience of a qualified oral surgeon. Not many oral surgeons have routine experience placing zygomatic implants. Depending on your location, you may need to travel to have your zygomatic implants placed.

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/i/implants