Sedation Dentistry

Unfortunately, many patients are terribly anxious about getting dental care, even routine exams and cleanings in severe cases. These patients may be tempted to just avoid coming into our office, but by giving them access to sedation dentistry, we can help them get the dental care they need to preserve their smiles and overall health.With sedation dentistry, patients are able to achieve a state of deep relaxation while under our care. Although some providers refer to this method as “sleep dentistry,” the patient actually remains conscious and able to respond to the dentist’s or prosthodontist’s commands throughout the procedure. Unlike with general anesthesia, the airway is not compromised and in need of being maintained artificially. However, the sedatives have an amnestic effect, which means that the patient should have no recollection of the appointment after the fact – eliminating negative memories that can reinforce dental fear! The sedative medications can be delivered in a number of different ways, according the patient’s preferences and the requirements of the procedure being performed. The options include:

• Intravenous sedation: The sedative drugs are delivered directly into the patient’s bloodstream via an IV drip and take effect within minutes. The effects wear away slowly after the appointment, and the patient must plan to have a responsible adult serve as an escort home afterward.
• Oral sedation: A good alternative for patients who are skittish about needles, pills from anti-anxiety classes of medications can be taken in advance of the appointment to achieve the desired effect. Because the medication will start to take effect on the way to the appointment, the patient should have someone else drive to the appointment and drive home as well.
• Nitrous oxide: The patient inhales a gaseous form of sedative that is not as deep as the other two options. The effects of nitrous oxide are reversed quickly after the appointment.

You don’t necessarily need to suffer from dental fear to benefit from sedation dentistry, either. Sometimes, patients will work with a prosthodontist on extensive smile makeovers designed to dramatically improve the appearance of their smiles. These interventions can be time-consuming, and sedation dentistry can make the process more tolerable.

Sedation dentistry in our practice is provided by a board-certified anesthesiologist. The patient’s vital signs are constantly monitored for any signs of distress during the procedure that would require some sort of intervention for the patient’s safety and well-being.