Dental anxiety is real, and you’re not alone. Plenty of patients feel nervous about getting the care they need. That’s why we offer a variety of sedation options to keep your experience soothing, painless, and stress-free.
DID YOU KNOW?
About 40% of Americans are affected by dental anxiety.
Why should I choose sedation?
No one deserves to struggle with stress or pain during dental treatment. Sedation options are an effective way to receive the dental care you need without the worry and anxiety that may come with visiting the dentist’s office. All it takes to get started is a simple conversation with Dr L to see what option works best for you.
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Nitrous Oxide
Nervous about treatment, but want to avoid being deeply sedated? With nitrous oxide, you’ll experience a floaty, worry-free feeling that won’t leave you with side effects. Right after treatment, you can drive yourself home and get back to your day-to-day routine.
Oral Conscious
If you’re looking for a sedative that will cause you to forget most of your procedure, we offer oral conscious sedation. This method uses a strong pill or liquid sedative that you’ll take about 30-60 minutes before your procedure for a peaceful, pleasant experience.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is delivered directly into your bloodstream via an IV, causing you to enter into a deeply relaxing state. Many patients fall asleep during their treatment with IV sedation. While you may forget your procedure, you can still be woken up and respond to commands.
General Anesthesia
For patients undergoing invasive procedures, we proudly offer general anesthesia. After breathing the sedation through a ventilator, you’ll become completely unconscious — you will not feel anything or remember anything about your procedure.
The Benefits of Proper Sedation
Faster Procedures
Sedation soothes the body and keeps you from wiggling, which allows your dentist to complete the treatment in less time.
Keeps Care Precise
Choking and gagging reflexes are put on pause under sedation, so your dentist can complete a precise procedure without any unexpected movements.
Encourages Positive Dental Memories
Experiencing a comfortable treatment reduces your dental phobia and trains your brain to associate positive memories with dentistry.
The Sedation Treatment Process
Health & Treatment Evaluation
First, your dentist will review your treatment plan to determine if sedation is a good option for your procedure. Your dentist will then discuss your past health history and any current health problems that may affect your ability to be sedated with your chosen method.
Address Needs & Concerns
Your dentist will ask questions to determine your particular needs and concerns. How deeply do you wish to be sedated? What is making you anxious about your procedure? Do you have a low pain threshold? An honest conversation with your dentist will determine which sedation options will be appropriate for you.
Discuss Recommendations & Options
Next, your dentist will outline your available sedation options and describe all side effects and instructions. With their recommendation and your input, we can help you choose the right option for your procedure.
Before & Afters
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is sedation used for in dentistry?
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For most cases, sedation is used to treat dental anxiety. Dental anxiety is extremely common for patients of all ages and can keep people from getting the care they need. If you are anxious or nervous about coming to the dentist, sedation can help you feel more safe and comfortable.
Sedation also minimizes pain and discomfort during more invasive procedures, such as tooth extractions and dental implant placements. It also helps you feel more comfortable if you require multiple dental procedures and need to sit still for several hours during treatment.
Am I a good candidate for sedation dentistry?
If you are healthy, do not have a history of drug abuse, and are not taking any medications that may interfere with the sedation process, you should be a good candidate for sedation dentistry. Reach out to our team to learn more about your options.
What does sedation dentistry feel like?
Each sedation option feels a little different, so it depends on the method you choose. Laughing gas will make you feel light-headed, giggly, and relaxed, but you will be fully conscious and aware of your surroundings. You will also feel less discomfort during treatment.
On the other hand, oral conscious sedation and IV sedation will usually make you feel groggy and “out of it”. You’ll probably fall asleep and forget most of your procedure. However, you will not be unconscious, and you can still be woken and respond to commands.
General anesthesia is the deepest level of sedation. You will be completely unconscious and will not feel anything or remember anything from your procedure.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Absolutely. Our team is qualified and experienced in providing all methods of sedation dentistry. While deeper methods of sedation like oral conscious sedation and IV sedation have more prolonged side effects compared to laughing gas, they are still very safe, and they have no serious risks to your health or well-being if you are a good candidate for sedation.
