A visit to the dentist can cause fear and anxiety. Patients who experience dental phobia may postpone or avoid vital dental treatment, and for these patients multiple dental visits are often out of the question. Neglecting your oral health can lead to tooth loss, disease, and overall health problems. However, you can overcome dental fear with sedation dentistry.
We offer four kinds of sedation: IV Conscious Sedation, Oral Conscious Sedation, Nitrous Oxide Sedation, and General Anesthesia.
IV Conscious Sedation allows us unprecedented control over relaxation levels, so we can tailor the sedation to your specific needs. Depending on the amount of sedative you receive, you will feel extremely relaxed, drowsy, or you may fall asleep completely. Typically, patients remain conscious and can respond to questions but do not experience nervousness or discomfort, remembering little about the appointment afterwards.
Oral Conscious Sedation involves a medication taken orally prior to your visit. This method allows patients to feel relaxed in the dental chair, while remaining conscious and able to answer the dentist’s questions. Some patients become so relaxed that they fall asleep in the dentist’s chair.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation involves a colorless, odorless gas inhaled through a nasal mask. Many people know nitrous oxide as laughing gas. Once you begin breathing the gas, you will feel relaxed, allowing Dr. Holden to perform your dental work while you stay completely comfortable. The effects of nitrous oxide subside once we remove your mask, and if nitrous is the only sedative you receive, you will be capable of driving yourself home following the visit and can continue your normal daily activities.
General Anesthesia involves the services of an Anesthesiologist who administers and monitors the effects of a mixture of IV drugs that are used to induce a sleep-like state. Unlike IV conscious sedation, general anesthesia will render you totally unconscious. It requires the establishment of an airway or intubation which facilitates the administration of oxygen during the procedure. General anesthesia services in our office are provided by Edward Dench, MD. Dr. Dench is certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology. He is available to provide general anesthesia services on select days throughout the month.