Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry offers individuals with general anxiety about going to the dentist or fears about a specific dental procedure the opportunity to have a stress free and more comfortable experience. Utilizing safe and controlled sedation techniques prior to the dental procedure the patient is eased into a state of complete relaxation. This eliminates any discomfort, pain, and preoperative anxiety that may be associated with a particular dental visit. With sedation dentistry patients typically feel more at ease post-operatively as they have little or no memory of the actual moment-to-moment dental procedure.

Why Consider Sedation Dentistry?

There are many reasons why dental sedation is worth considering. Some are outlined below.

Dental Fears and Phobias

Sedation dentistry is a practical solution for anyone with dental fears who would otherwise feel uncomfortable receiving dental treatment or avoid seeing a dentist altogether.

Completing Lengthier or More Complex Dental Treatments

Certain procedures take time to complete, and sitting quietly in the chair for long periods can become uncomfortable. Sedation dentistry helps patients relax and receive dental care comfortably. It can also mean we can complete more work in a single appointment, restoring oral health more quickly.

Strong Gag Reflex

Some people find it very uncomfortable to tolerate dental treatment due to a strong gag reflex. They can receive dental care comfortably without triggering this reflex with sedation dentistry.

Children and Patients with Special Needs

Young children or people with special needs or certain medical conditions may be unable to understand that they need to sit still to receive dental care safely. Sedation dentistry helps calm them so they feel relaxed enough to sit still.

Low Pain Threshold

Even a simple dental cleaning can feel uncomfortable for some people with more sensitive teeth and gums and who have a lower pain threshold for discomfort. Dental sedation helps ensure the experience is more comfortable.

Which Types of Sedation Dentistry Are Available?

Various types of sedation dentistry can be used depending on your requirements. Every treatment is customized to provide the correct level of sedation, ensuring you feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. The most commonly used dental sedatives are nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation.

Nitrous Oxide

Commonly referred to as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is used as a mild sedative to reduce anxiety and allow a level of relaxation during a procedure. Nitrous oxide is inhaled through a small mask over the nose. It is administered for the duration of the procedure and is turned off as the procedure is coming to an end. The effects of this method of sedation wear off very quickly.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Oral conscious sedation is given in the form of a pill about an hour before your treatment begins. Commonly used sedatives include triazolam, Lorazepam, and zaleplon. If a child needs an oral sedative, this may be given as a liquid and in a form that is safe for them.

Once the oral sedation takes effect, you should feel deeply relaxed and even quite sleepy, depending on the dosage. Some people will fall asleep but can still be easily awoken if we need to check they are okay. You will need someone with you to drive you home after oral conscious sedation.

Other types of sedation dentistry can be used, offering a deeper level of sedation. One is intravenous or IV sedation.

IV Sedation

IV Sedation involves a sedative that is administered intravenously, or directly into a vein. It is indicated when deeper sedation is required. This type of sedation can be quickly modified to your state of consciousness and can be continued as long as necessary for the procedure.

IV Sedation requires an empty stomach. Patients receiving this type of sedation will be instructed as to how many hours prior to their surgical procedure they should stop eating or drinking. In addition to this, patients receiving IV sedation will need to have an escort present for the appointment and to be able to drive them home when the appointment is completed.

Is General Anesthesia Used in Dentistry?

General anesthesia, where you are unconscious during treatment, is occasionally used in dentistry. It may be appropriate when treating teeth of young children or people with special needs and is usually given in a hospital setting. General anesthesia must be provided by a dentist or another medical professional with advanced and highly specialized training. Usually, this is a dental anaesthesiologist.

How to Prepare for Sedation Dentistry?

If you are interested in sedation dentistry, talk it over with our dentist during your initial consultation. We must review your oral and medical history and will need to know about any medications or supplements you are currently taking. We must know about any medical conditions in case these could affect your suitability for sedation dentistry.

Once we have this information, we can recommend a suitable level of sedation based on your needs. We want to ensure you remain relaxed and comfortable during your appointment, but your safety is our primary concern.

We will also discuss how to prepare for your appointment. Usually, we will need you to stop eating or drinking anything several hours beforehand; otherwise, any preparations should be minimal.

Do I Need to Stop Taking Medications Before Sedation Dentistry?

Unless discussed otherwise, you should continue to take all medications as prescribed. However, if you take blood thinners, make sure we know, as we may need to adjust your treatment plan or ask you to stop taking these medications for a day or two before your treatment, depending on the advice given by your primary healthcare provider.

What to Expect during Sedation Dentistry?

You can receive your dental sedative before the procedure begins so that you will already feel comfortable when we can numb your teeth and gums. We monitor you carefully throughout the procedure, continually checking that you are okay. Once treatment is complete, we may want you to remain with us a short while afterward to ensure you are fully recovered before we send you home to rest.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

Sedation dentistry should be safe, but any anesthetic always carries a small risk. We take every precaution to minimize these risks, which can include:

• Bruising from an intravenous line.
• Headaches.
• Dry mouth.
• Feeling nauseous or vomiting.

It is rare, but some people can have an allergic reaction to the medications used in sedation dentistry. When this is the case, there are drugs that can be used to counteract the effects.

Can I Have Sedation Dentistry during Pregnancy?

If you are pregnant, we will not recommend sedation dentistry as there is a risk that some sedatives could affect the development of the baby. Nitrous oxide can be given during the second trimester. However, unless treatment is urgent and likely to affect your health or your baby’s health, we would prefer to wait until your baby is born.

How Long Does It Take to Recover after Sedation Dentistry?

Recovery times depend on the sedative used. If you have laughing gas, you should recover completely within half an hour and can drive yourself home. You can return to normal activities after you leave our dental office.

If you have oral sedation or IV sedation, you need to allow a full 24 hours for recovery, and you cannot drive, operate machinery, or make any important or legal decisions. You should wait at least one complete day before returning to work, although some people may need longer. During your consultation, we can advise how long you might need to recover after sedation dentistry.

How Much Will Sedation Dentistry Cost?

The cost depends on your chosen form of sedation. Nitrous oxide and oral sedation are very affordable, but intravenous sedation costs more since it is a more complex treatment. We can provide an estimate of the cost during your initial consultation. Dental insurance may not cover the cost of sedation dentistry since, despite its benefits, it is not considered essential.

Sedation dentistry can be useful for anyone who feels anxious or nervous about receiving dental care or who may have avoided seeing a dentist for years. It can help restore good oral health more quickly. Receiving dental care more comfortably can be an important step in conquering dental fears and phobias.

If you have avoided seeing a dentist due to dental anxieties, please contact us for kind, compassionate, and nonjudgemental dental care. We’ll take the time to listen to your concerns and tailor your treatments so you can receive them in a way that is more comfortable and easier to tolerate.

Questions? Call us at (718) 894-2110 or Contact Us and we will be happy to answer your questions and schedule an appointment.