Are you anxious about going to the dentist? Many people can experience intense fear and anxiety when they hear the word dentist, let alone walking into a dental office. Often times, patients with this anxiety forego necessary dental care to avoid a visit to their dentist. However, having good oral health is vitally important. More and more studies indicate that poor oral health, especially gum disease, is linked to many chronic diseases. Since the mouth is the gateway to the body, and now sedation dentistry is such a great, safe option for addressing even years worth of neglected dental health, Pure Dental encourages you to consider sedation dentistry.

If you find yourself feeling panicky at the thought of having your teeth worked on, you should know that a safe, comfortable relaxation method exists. Imagine resting soundly through your entire dental procedure and waking up refreshed with little to no memory of the visit. Even if it has been many years since you’ve seen a dentist and you have quite a bit of work that needs to be done, that’s exactly what it can be like for you. With Pure Dental’s in-office sedation dentistry, we can alleviate anxiety so you can face dental appointments with confidence. We are certified, qualified and experienced in using both types of conscious sedation.

What are my Options?

IV Conscious Sedation – IV Sedation, or Intravenous Sedation is a very safe and effected method of sedation that is also referred to as deep conscious sedation or relaxation dentistry. It is a form of moderate sedation where the patient receives the sedative drug directly through a vein, so it goes to work very quickly. It allows the dentist to continually adjust the level of sedation, allowing unprecedented control over the relaxation levels, combined with a profound amnesia.  Depending on the amount of sedative you receive, you will feel extremely relaxed, drowsy, or you may fall asleep completely. This type of sedation requires a responsible adult to drive the patient to and from their appointment, and spend some time with them afterwards until the sedative wears off completely. In addition to the IV Sedation, the doctors at Pure Dental will typically also use a local anesthetic, or numbing medication at the site to eliminate or alleviate pain of the procedure may cause any discomfort. Because the patient is in an extreme state of relaxation, it is possible for the dentist to achieve years worth of dental work in a single visit.

Oral Conscious Sedation  – Another option that is available is “oral sedation”, and depending on the total dose given, oral sedation can range from minimal to moderate. For minimal sedation, you take a pill that is prescribed and usually taken about an hour before the procedure. The pill will make patients a little drowsy although they’ll still be awake, and a larger dose may be given to produce moderate sedation. Some people become groggy enough from moderate oral sedation to actually fall asleep during the procedure. The exact level of sedation that is achieved for a given dosage of an oral sedative drug can vary significantly. This type of sedation also requires a responsible adult to drive the patient to and from their appointment, and spend some time with them afterwards until the sedative wears off completely.

What Other Options Are There?

Gas  – This is an inhaled, minimal sedation option where the patient breathes nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas” which is combined with oxygen through a kn95 mask that’s placed over your nose. This helps patients to relax, and the dentist can control the amount of sedation that is administered. The gas wears off quickly, and patients can drive themselves home after their dental procedure. This is the most common type of sedation that is used today.

Deep/General Anesthesia  – General anesthesia is a drug-induced unconsciousness where the patient is completely unable to respond to verbal commands or physical stimulation, and there is a complete loss of protective reflexes, including those for independently maintaining the airway.

If you are interested in learning more about how sedation dentistry can help you or a loved one, please contact our office today!