Sedation Dentistry
According to the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS), about 30% of Americans are not getting the dental care they need because of fear and anxiety directed toward the dentist. Because patients who are anxious tend to put off visiting the dentist until something hurts, the treatment required to fix the problem is more involved, which creates more anxiety – and a vicious cycle.
We believe that everyone deserves to have good oral health. If fear and anxiety have kept you from visiting the dentist, give us a call and find out about the sedation we offer in our office.
Oral Conscious Sedation
We can administer an oral sedative to relax you before performing any restorative dental procedure. Safe and effective, Oral Sedation allows you to remain awake and aware, but your anxiety will be reduced for any dental procedure. Oral Sedation can also be combined with a light amount of Nitrous Oxide gas to increase your relaxation.
Advantages to patients include:
- Treatment is completed when you are in a more relaxed mood.
- You will have less difficulty sitting through a lengthy procedure.
- Multiple treatments and full mouth restorations can occur at during the same visit.
- Less discomfort after treatment.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Also known as laughing gas, Nitrous Oxide is beneficial in calming a patient’s anxiety before a procedure. It is a sweet-smelling, non-irritating, colorless gas which you can breathe. It is a safe and effective gas that is inhaled by the patient and is the most commonly used sedation technique in dentistry.
Advantages to Patients Include:
- The depth of sedation can be altered at any time to increase or decrease sedation.
- There is no after effect such as a “hangover”.
- Inhalation sedation is safe with no side effects on your heart and lungs, etc.
- Inhalation sedation is very effective in minimizing gagging.
- It works rapidly as it reaches the brain within 20 seconds. In as little as 2-3 minutes its relaxation and pain killing properties develop.