Sedation

Fear or anxiety over dental procedures is a strong deterrent for many patients in need of dental or periodontal treatment. Though that fear is usually unfounded, the fact is that the fear or anxiety prevents many in need of treatment from getting that treatment. Worse, as we learn more and more about the link between periodontal diseases and systemic health conditions, allowing fear of treatment to keep you from seeking treatment can potentially put your life at risk.

We are able to rebuild lost structures in the mouth whether they are related to soft tissue, teeth, or bone. The procedures may be complex and treatment time may be extensive. Pain management with use of local anesthesia is of utmost importance. Additionally however, we're able to reduce patient fear and anxiety as well as awareness of treatment time, enhancing our patient's overall treatment experience by using one of several types of sedation procedures. They include:

Inhalation Sedation - A combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen, commonly known as "laughing gas" is the most frequently used technique. The biggest advantage of this technique is that most people receiving it recover promptly and can be permitted to leave the office unescorted to resume normal activities immediately.

Oral Sedation Dentistry - A sedative drug(s) to be taken by mouth 1-2 hours prior to the appointment time is prescribed. Normally, patients receiving such drug administration will not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the appointment. If such drugs are taken by the patient at home prior to the appointment, patients must not drive to the appointment and are not permitted to drive or use any kind machinery for 24 hours after ingestion of the drugs.

Intravenous Sedation Dentistry- Medications are administered via an indwelling catheter in a vein in the hand or arm. This method provides the most effective and predictable form of moderate sedation. In many instances, although awake enough to obey simple commands, patients may have no memory of the treatment. As with oral sedation, patients receiving such drug administration should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the appointment. Also, patients are not permitted to leave the office unescorted or to drive or use any kind of machinery for 24 hours after ingestion of the drugs.

All patients receiving any form of sedation will be monitored at all times with sophisticated electronic instrumentation as well as personal monitoring by members of our team.

For more information, view our patient education videos.