Conscious Sedation

Conscious sedation is used in procedures for which general anesthesia is not required and wherein the patient needs to respond to questions. The American dental association started using this phrase extensively; they used this procedure to keep their patients comfortable during a dental procedure. Conscious sedation is a type of sedation wherein the patient can respond to verbal directions even while under the influence of sedation. This type of sedation is classified under moderate sedation. Conscious sedation is achieved using intravenous agents.

Conscious sedation procedure is used in biopsy, dental procedures, plastic and reconstructive surgeries, dermatology, Endoscopy procedures and minor surgeries. Generally carried out as a day care procedure, a patient needs to be reviewed completely before administering conscious sedation. It is generally considered a safe procedure and is low cost when compared to general anesthesia.

A certified medical professional carries out this procedure. The patient is given medication that relaxes and then the pain killer is administered to eliminate pain during the procedure. In a few cases, medications are administered for the patient to forget the procedure (amnesic). Throughout the procedure, the patient's heartbeat, breathing, pulse rate, etc are continuously monitored. Once the procedure the patient is kept under observation until he/she completely recovers. Recovery is much faster when compared to general anesthesia. The patient takes 24-48 hours to experience complete recovery from the procedure.

Common side effects from conscious sedation include nausea, headache, muscle pain and sore throat. No solid foods must be eaten for a few hours prior to the procedure. Do inform the physician if you are diabetic, lactating mother or allergic to medications.

Cosmetic Dentist

A cosmetic dentist is a general dentist with an added dimension. Besides performing the functional requirements of a dentist, the cosmetic dentist pays close attention to the appearance of the dental work. Cosmetic dentistry is not generally taught in dental schools as part of the normal curriculum. A cosmetic dentist, in addition to qualifying as a dental graduate needs to pursue additional training after graduation and undergo specialist accredited training in the field. Cosmetic dentistry covers a multitude of procedures that improves the beauty and health of one's smile. Cosmetic dentistry can be as simple as re-contouring of one or more teeth or as comprehensive as an aesthetic and functional rehabilitation. Cosmetic dentistry can brighten a dull teeth, whiten stained teeth, close gaps between teeth, repair chipped teeth, mask metal fillings and straighten crooked teeth.

• When a person's teeth are short or long, stained or chipped, misaligned or over crowded, a cosmetic dentist renders multiple cosmetic dentistry treatments and transforms the unattractive smile of a patient.
  
• A cosmetic dentist places porcelain veneers over the teeth to mask virtually any cosmetic problem.
  
• A cosmetic dentist can remove the coffee, tea and cigarette stains from the teeth. These stubborn stains cannot be removed by brushing alone. Special teeth whitening procedures can help eliminate these superficial stains. Staining caused in teeth due to aging or medication usage can also be removed.
  
• A cosmetic dentist addresses minor cosmetic issues including jagged or chipped teeth and noticeable gaps between teeth. Dental bonding is an ideal solution for such minor imperfections. The cosmetic dentist uses a tooth bonding material and masks these imperfections.
  
• Tooth decay is one of the commonest of problems among all ages. A cosmetic dentist recommends filling the cavity with tooth colored white filling or reinforces the tooth with dental inlays or onlays.
  
• For a severely cracked and damaged or fractured tooth, when filling or dental inlays or onlays do not work, a cosmetic dentist uses 'dental crown' or caps.
  
• Old and unsightly crowns can also be replaced with ultimate all-ceramic crowns.
  
• A cosmetic dentist provides viable treatment options for patients with missing tooth or more teeth. 'Dental implants supported by dental bridges' are the most modern permanent solution to this problem. Sometimes patients can also opt for full and partial dentures.
  
• The modern alternatives of 'invisalign invisible braces' are used by cosmetic dentists in place of traditional metal braces to attend to crooked, misaligned or overlapping teeth.
  
• A cosmetic dentist renders gum disease treatment for painful, swollen or inflamed gums. A 'gummy smile' or excessive uneven gums are often helped with a 'gum life procedure'.
  
• Excessive tooth wear and grinding are often linked to jaw joint problems and headaches. A cosmetic dentist helps to alleviate these problems by using 'occlusal splint' or in severe cases treat with full oral rehabilitation.
  
• Depending upon the unique aesthetic needs and physical characteristics that change with age, the cosmetic dentist adopts useful procedures that are more suitable for achieving the look an individual desire.
  
• 'Combined techniques' are frequently used in smile design to create an ideal and natural looking smile. An example is 'bleaching' may be followed with 'minor orthodontics' and completed with porcelain veneers.

Techniques adopted by a cosmetic dentist

A cosmetic dentist adopts latest dental techniques to improve the treatment and reduce the 'chair time' of the patient. Some of the latest techniques are:

• Laser technology that adopt a 'no drill' technique
  
• Digital x ray technology
  
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• Computerized anesthetic delivery
  
• Diagnodent-laser cavity detection
  
• Tooth whitening