Sedation

It is normal for patients who require surgical treatment to be apprehensive about treatment. Even though every procedure involves the use of local anesthetic to profoundly numb the area and gentle techniques during the procedure, many patients choose sedation to ease their anxiety, and make the entire procedure easier to sit through.

IV Sedation: This type of sedation involves the delivery of medications directly into your bloodstream. An IV access started at the time of the procedure, allows for delivery of sedation and pain medications that act quickly and allow you to go through the procedure with little to no recollection of the procedure itself. This type of sedation is ideal for patients who are very anxious, who have difficulty undergoing dental procedures due to limited opening of their mouth, or pain on remaining open. It is also ideal for patients who have an extensive treatment plan. Because this type of sedation causes drowsiness, it is necessary to have an escort drive you to the procedure, wait with you during the procedure, and take you home afterwards.

Nitrous Oxide: Also known as “laughing gas”, nitrous oxide is used during the procedure to calm you and ease anxiety. It is quick acting, and when the procedure is finished, its effects are quick to disappear. Because of this quick effect, it is safe for you to drive yourself to and from the procedure, with no concern of drowsiness afterwards that oral anti-anxiety medications or IV medications may cause.

Oral Sedation: Oral sedative medications can be prescribed for patients who have anxiety about a procedure, and a concern that they won’t be able to sleep the night before the procedure. These medications help alleviate the apprehension that you may be feeling, but because they can cause drowsiness or alter your judgement, it is necessary that you have an escort drive you to the office for your procedure, wait with you during the procedure, and drive you home afterwards. The oral medications take time to be eliminated from your system, so some patients find that for the remainder of the day they are groggy, or tired. Despite this, many patients find that the procedure was more comfortable for them.