Sedation is primarily used to address dental anxiety, which is a common issue that can prevent patients from seeking necessary dental care. If you feel anxious or nervous about visiting the dentist, sedation can help you feel safer and more comfortable.

Sedation also plays a key role in managing pain and discomfort during more invasive procedures, such as tooth extractions and dental implant placements. Additionally, it helps patients remain comfortable and still during extended treatments that involve multiple procedures or require several hours in the dental chair.

If you’re in good health, have no history of drug abuse, and aren’t taking medications that could affect sedation, you are likely a suitable candidate for sedation dentistry. Reach out to us to explore your options and start the conversation about how we can make your dental experience more comfortable.

The experience of sedation varies depending on the method you choose. With laughing gas (nitrous oxide), you will feel light-headed, giggly, and relaxed. Despite this, you will remain fully conscious and aware of your surroundings. Laughing gas helps reduce discomfort during the treatment, making the experience more comfortable while you are still alert.

On the other hand, oral conscious sedation and IV sedation generally result in a groggy, disoriented feeling. You might fall asleep and may not remember much of the procedure afterward. Although you will be less aware, you are not completely unconscious and can still be awakened or respond to commands if needed.

General anesthesia represents the deepest level of sedation. With this method, you will be entirely unconscious, meaning you will neither feel nor remember anything from the procedure. This approach is used for more invasive or lengthy treatments where complete sedation is necessary.

At our office, all sedation methods are administered by qualified professionals and come with minimal side effects. While deeper sedation techniques, such as oral conscious sedation and IV sedation, may have more prolonged effects compared to laughing gas, they are still very safe. As long as you are a suitable candidate for sedation, these methods pose no serious risks to your health or well-being.

For individuals with dental anxiety, sedation dentistry can make treatment significantly more manageable. The sedation medication helps to alleviate feelings of fear and stress, allowing patients to relax and feel more comfortable during their procedures.

The dental practitioner's formulary, which is the list of drugs a dentist can prescribe, includes Diazepam and other sedatives. Some dentists may prescribe these medications to help anxious patients. It is the dentist's responsibility to issue these prescriptions and manage their use.

Sedation dentistry provides a way for patients to undergo dental treatments in a relaxed and calm environment. It offers several benefits, including reduced pain, shorter appointment times, minimal to no recall of the procedure, and a significant reduction in worry and stress.