Dr. Brian Hale's San Antonio Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Although you remain awake during the sedation process, sedation dentistry is sometimes categorized as sleep dentistry. But this term is misleading.

Patients who are sedated during a cosmetic dental procedure are just that: sedated. Because of the effects of the sedation medication, you will feel sleepy. But you will not actually sleep during the procedure.

If you have complex medical problems, and cannot receive sedation, an anesthesiologist may administer a medication that induces a deeper sleep—where you are unaware of what is going on around you and are actually sleeping during the procedure. This is not sedation dentistry, but instead going under a general anesthesia.

Dental Anxiety

Some children and older patients have a natural fear of the dentist. Others who have had a traumatic dental experience may be unwilling to seek treatment. Often times, these patients find that their anxiety is eased when they undergo procedures while in a sleep-like state.

Dental sedation is a technique that can be used when a patient suffers from dental anxiety or dental phobia. Depending on the extent of the anxiety or phobia, varying degrees of dental sedation can be administered including:

• Oral sedatives
• Intravenous (IV) sedation
• Nitrous oxide sedation
• General Anesthesia

These techniques enable fearful patients, who might otherwise avoid the dentist, to receive dental treatment they need.

If you are considering cosmetic dentistry in San Antonio or the surrounding area, please call or e-mail us today to schedule your initial consultation with Brian Hale, D.D.S.