At Laser Smile Studio in Denton, TX we care about your state of mind during your visits. Our board-certified Dentist, Dr. Todd McCracken, understands that dental procedures, whether minor or more detailed, can cause anxiety in patients with dental phobias. For this reason, our practice offers a variety of sedation dentistry options. Sedation dentistry is the use of oral sedation, nitrous oxide, or IV sedatives to calm the nerves of the patient before their procedure. These options differ in terms of how they are administered as well as how they will affect the patient. For example:

• Oral Sedation - Taken in pill form an hour before the procedure, will cause a moderate sedation. The patient will be awake, but in a state of complete relaxation. The patient will need to be driven home from their procedure and will not be able to return to work or school that day.
• Nitrous Oxide - Inhaled through a dental hood placed on the patient just before their procedure, will cause a light, euphoric sedation. The patient will be awake and coherent during their procedure. Once the nitrous oxide is turned off, the patient will quickly recover from the sedative and can return to normal activities.
• IV Sedation - Delivered intravenously and commonly referred to as "sleep dentistry" for its heavy sedative effect. The patient will be incoherent and will need to be driven home after their procedures. The patient will be able to return to normal activities the following day.

Before your appointment, Dr. McCracken will go over your sedation options and will help you to choose the best method. Regardless of the method chosen, your sedation will be monitored closely by our dental team throughout your visit. We prioritize your safety before, during, and after your procedure, so during a consultation prior to your sedation, Dr. McCracken will discuss in detail what to expect from sedation dentistry. Should oral or IV sedation be chosen, you will be instructed to arrange for a safe ride home following your procedure.

Aftercare will vary depending on the type of sedation decided upon by you and Dr. McCracken. However, specific details will be covered thoroughly during your initial consultation. You will need to arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home after your appointment, as it won't be safe for you to drive after your sedation. If you have any questions regarding your aftercare instructions, please feel free to contact our office.

Sedation dentistry is usually covered at least in part by dental insurance if it is used during certain procedures. Coverage is usually not covered if the sedation is chosen by the patient for dental fears and anxieties alone. Our front office will contact your insurance company to get your maximum coverage and an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses. You will also have many financial options at our office as well to help with payments.

No matter what past experiences you’ve had at the dentist, our office can help you overcome your fears and anxieties during complex or routine dental procedures. With using safe and adjustable IV sedation, we can help patients avoid pain, discomfort, and worries during their visit to our office.