| Some patients need a little help achieving
a relaxed state. Nitrous Oxide ("laughing gas")
is available when needed to make you more comfortable.
Other patients have a high level of anxiety and choose
Oral or I.V. Sedation. |
|
Sedation Dentistry is able to reach out and provide needed
dental care to those who otherwise would not receive it.
We recognize that there are many reasons why 50% of the U.S.
population do not receive dental care, but two of the most
common reasons are:
- Extreme anxiety
- No time for multiple appointments
 What
is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation Dentistry bridges the gap between new technology
and patient comfort. After an initial consultation, your Sedation
Dentistry appointment will be scheduled. You are given a small
pill to make you snooze through your dental appointment. Even
though you are not technically asleep, our patients describe
the experience as seeming to be asleep. You will have little
or no memory of the appointment. You will not even remember
any sounds or smells.
With Sedation Dentistry, you will find that your treatment
is performed more comfortably than you might ever have thought
possible. You will be drowsy and unaware of the time passing
by. During the entire appointment you will be monitored continually
by our specially trained team of professionals.
Am
I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation Dentistry is especially useful for adult patients
who:
- Have high anxiety about dental visits
- Have had traumatic dental experiences in the past
- Have difficulty getting numb
- Have a strong gag reflex
- Have TMJ troubles and cannot open their mouth for extended
periods
- Are afraid of needles
- Have sensitive teeth
- Hate the noises and/or smells associated with dental care
- Simply do not have the time for multiple visits
Dr. Seasholtz
will schedule a consultation appointment first to answer any
questions and screen for any medical reasons you may not be
eligible for Sedation Dentistry.
Types of Sedation Dentistry:
 Oral
Conscious Sedation
With oral conscious sedation you will take one or more
pills by mouth. You remain conscious and able to respond
to simple requests made by the dentist, but you will be
sedated and largely unaware of time. You will have almost
no memory of the visit. Sedation patients often describe
feeling like they "snoozed" through the appointment.
Oral conscious sedation medications are more effective than
using laughing gas alone. Sedation allows your fear and
anxiety to disappear and leaves you with little memory of
your visit.
IV
Conscious Sedation
IV conscious sedation uses the same class of sedative medications
as with Oral Conscious Sedation, but the medications are
administered intravenously. This allows a faster response
time for the medications and provides ability to better
modify the level and length of sedation. As with oral sedation,
IV sedation leaves you conscious and able to respond, but
sedated so that you have little or no memory of your dental
visit and none of the anxiety normally associated with that
visit. Sedation patients often describe feeling like they
"slept" through the appointment. IV conscious
sedation is more effective than laughing gas alone and makes
the visit easier for both you and your doctor.
Frequently
Asked Questions.
Will
I be unconscious?
No, you will be very relaxed, but you will be able
to respond. You will probably not, however, remember
any of your visit.
Does
my companion have to stay at the office?
Your companion must drive you to our office for your
appointment and return you home afterwards. During the
actual procedure, your companion is free to stay, or
leave and come back to pick you up at the end of the
procedure.
Will
I feel anything?
No, you will feel no discomfort.
How
long will I be sedated?
You will be sedated for 2 to 8 hours, depending on
your dental care needs.
Link
to Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation
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