Sedation

Oral Conscious Sedation

If you suffer from dental phobia, anxiety or feer, you’re not alone—many of our patients have put off going to the dentist for months, years, or even decades because of the anxiety caused by a dental visit.  One option we are happy to offer anxious patients—or patients who need a large number of procedures done during a single visit—is sedation dentistry, where we provide an oral sedative that is taken prior to the dental visit.  During your visit, we will supplement the effects of the oral sedative with nitrous oxide as a way to maintain your sense of calm and comfort. Our highly trained staff will monitor your vital signs and your comfort level throughout the process and will make adjustments accordingly.

 
Why oral sedation with nitrous oxide?

Also known as “laughing gas”, nitrous oxide is a powerful gas that, when mixed with oxygen and administered via a face mask, blocks pain and reduces anxiety. Commonly used in many aspects of dentistry to keep you more comfortable, combining nitrous oxide with an oral sedative is an excellent way to eliminate feelings of anxiety associated with dental procedures.

 

Wisdom Teeth Extractions with IV Conscious Sedation

In dentistry, intravenous or IV sedation is used to create a conscious sedation or “twilight” state where your body and mind are completely relaxed, but you are not unconscious. IV sedation minimizes any feelings of discomfort or anxiety, while still allowing you to talk and respond to questions (e.g. “Are you still feeling comfortable?”) or to react to verbal cues (e.g. “Can you turn your head toward the right a bit?) while the procedure is occurring.

In most cases, you will have no memory of the procedure, and because of the level of relaxation that IV sedation creates, you will need someone to take you home after the procedure is complete. The sedation will begin to wear off once you are out of the office, and you should be able to take part in normal activities after the next day.