Patient Education
All our professionals at The Center for Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry maintain the highest levels of accreditation and pursue ongoing education to learn new skills and implement the latest advances in dentistry.
Our specialty is cosmetic dentistry, the building and transformation of smiles. Our commitment is to serving all of your dental needs, from bi-annual exams, state-of-the-art digital x-rays, hygienic assessments, periodontal assessments, to the most current, highly specialized cosmetic procedures available today. Our goal is to educate every patient to build and maintain your confidence in our experience and expertise. Dr. Bunting and his staff are thoroughly, expertly trained and experienced to serve you.
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Powerful pain-killing medications known as anesthetics not only help a patient avoid discomfort during a procedure, but post-operatively as well.
Some patients, especially children, may require higher doses of anesthetic than others.
Types of pain-killing medications include:
- Analgesics - These are also called pain relievers and include common non-narcotic medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Analgesics are usually used for mild cases of discomfort, and are typically prescribed following such procedures as a root canal or tooth extraction.
- Anesthetics - Anesthetics can either be topically applied, injected or swallowed. Dentists often apply topical anesthetics with a cotton swab to an area of the mouth where a procedure such as a restoration will be performed. This numbs the affected area. Topical anesthetics are used in many dental procedures such as tooth restoration. Topical anesthetics also are used to prepare an area for injection of an anesthetic. Novocaine and Lidocaine are the most common kind of injectable anesthetics. Such medications block the nerves from transmitting signals and are used for more major types of procedures, such as fillings and root canals.
- Sedatives - Sedatives are medications designed to help a patient relax. This can be a powerful tool in avoiding pain. Sedatives are sometimes used in combination with other types of pain relievers and pain-killers. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is a form of sedative. Conscious sedation involves administering a sedative while the patient is alert and awake. Deep sedation or general anesthesia involves administering a medication that places a patient in a state of monitored and controlled unconsciousness.
- Intravenous (IV) sedation - Usually in the form of a tranquilizing agent); patients given IV sedation are often awake, but very relaxed.
- Inhalation sedation - a form of sedation in which a medication (such as nitrous oxide) is administered through a special mask.