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Sedation dentistry is a revolutionary way to accomplish your dental treatments with little or no discomfort. You dream ... we work. We hope to answer all of your questions and be your #1 source of sleep dentistry information. You will learn how IV Sedation, Oral Conscious and Nitrous Oxide Sedation dentistry works, learn the difference between the types of sedation dentistry, and most of all, answer the question of 'Is sedation dentistry is right for you?'.

Sedation Dentistry

Sleep dentistry, also referred to as relaxation dentistry, is a wonderful option for people who hate the sights, sounds, or smells of the dental office. Some people stay away from the dentist for 5, 10, or even 20 years because of their fears and discomfort.

With sedation dentistry, we provide you with a restful 'conscious sedation'. You are not 'under' as you would be for an operation; you are cooperative and can respond. But you have no awareness of sounds, sights, smells or proceedings.

When you 'wake', you are rested, you have no recollection of your dental visit at all, and your smile is healthier and more beautiful than ever.

If you are pressed for time, sedation dentistry can help you accomplish the work of up to 5 dental visits in a single day! Sedation dentistry is also perfect for the disabled patient with down syndrome, alzheimer's, parkinson's and other conditions which make it difficult to get dental treatment for our loved ones.

Types of Sedation Dentistry we offer

IV Sedation Dentistry

IV Sedation, also known as Deep Conscious Sedation, is only used by Oral Surgeons and dentists with specialized training and special certification. With this type of sedation, medications are administered directly into the blood stream. The greatest advantage of IV Sedation is that if someone is not sedated enough, the doctor can administer more medication and the effects are instantaneous. IV Sedation is not used commonly in most dental offices because of the specialized advanced training required and the requirements for certification by the State Board of Dentistry. The drugs used for IV Sedation are more effective than the same drugs taken orally. There is a more profound amnesia associated with this technique. The staff at Derrick Dental Care has the necessary specialized training, experience and certification to administer IV Sedation. Not only is the doctor trained in the technique, the assistants also attended the entire training program. This ensures there is more than one person trained to monitor the patient.

Why IV Sedation Dentistry?

Although IV Sedation works much like oral sedation, the advantage of IV Sedation is that if someone is not as "deep" as the doctor would like them to be more medication can be given and the effects are instantaneous. With oral sedation, a pill has to be taken orally and the effects may take varying amounts of time to begin working for the patient depending upon weight, height and medical history of the patient.

• IV Sedation is a safe and effective way of relieving the fear and anxiety associated with going to the dentist.
• It works well for most patients allowing them to relax and have little or no memory of their dental appointments (partial or total amnesia).
• Some patients are so relaxed that they sleep right through their dental appointment. When someone is relaxed they will feel less tired after long dental appointments.
• Patients are so relaxed and comfortable, that a large amount of complex treatment can be accomplished in a single appointment.
• People who have trouble getting numb are often helped by IV Sedation Dentistry.
• People who have difficulty controlling movements, such as Parkinson's Disease or Cerebral Palsy, are often helped by IV sedation.
• The dentist can complete more dental treatment of higher quality in a shorter period of time, on a patient who is relaxed.

Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry

It's called conscious because you are still aware of where you are but you are so relaxed that you are no longer focused on your surroundings. Oral sedation is administered in the form of a pill or liquid; the patient swallows the medication. One of the pills that could be used is Halcion (also known as triazolam); it is very closely related to Valium chemically. The differences are that with Halcion there is a much deeper relaxation and amnesia effect than there is with Valium.

Why Oral Sedation Dentistry?

• Oral Sedation is a safe and effective way of relieving the fear and anxiety associated with going to the dentist.
• Dentists have used oral medications for many years to relieve fear and apprehension associated with dental appointments.
• It works well for most patients allowing them to relax and have little or no memory of their dental appointments (partial or total amnesia).
• Its easy, you take a pill one hour prior to your dental appointment.
• Some patients are so relaxed that they sleep right through their dental appointment. When someone is relaxed they will feel less tired after long dental appointments.
• Patients are so relaxed and comfortable, that a large amount of complex treatment can be accomplished in a single appointment.
• People who have trouble getting numb are often helped by Oral Sedation Dentistry.
• If you are scared of needles, sedation dentistry can help you.
• People who have difficulty controlling movements, such as Parkinson's Disease or Cerebral Palsy, are often helped by oral sedation.
• The dentist can complete more dental treatment of higher quality, in a shorter period of time, on a patient who is relaxed.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation Dentistry

Nitrous Oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a pain relieving and sedating gas that is combined with oxygen to make patients more comfortable during dental care. A light tingling feeling is often experienced by patients as well as an altered sense of time. Patients often listen to relaxing music during nitrous oxide sedation. Some patients love the feeling and feel very comfortable, others require something more tranquilizing. In general, patients who have had traumatic dental or life experiences that leave a life long memory, will be more comfortable with something that will relax them more than nitrous oxide alone.

Why Inhalation Sedation Dentistry?

• Inhalation Sedation dentistry is a safe and effective way of relieving the stress, fear and anxiety associated with going to the dentist.
• Dentists have used Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Inhalation Sedation for many years to relieve fear and apprehension associated with dental appointments.
• It works well for most patients allowing them to relax and have little or no memory of their dental appointments (partial or total amnesia).
• It's easy, you arrive at the dental office. A mask is placed over your nose and the Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen mixture is regulated very precisely by a special machine. The mixture can be constantly adjusted to meet your needs.
• Some patients are so relaxed that they sleep right through their dental appointment. When someone is relaxed they will feel less tired after long dental appointments.
• Patients are so relaxed and comfortable, that a large amount of complex treatment can be accomplished in a single appointment.
• People who have difficulty getting numb are often helped by Inhalation Sedation Dentistry. The Nitrous Oxide has an Analgesic effect.
• If you are scared of needles, sedation dentistry can help you.
• People who have difficulty controlling movements, such as Parkinson's Disease or Cerebral Palsy, are often helped by inhalation sedation.
• The dentist can complete more dental treatment of higher quality, in a shorter period of time, on a patient who is relaxed.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SEDATION DENTISTRY

Will I feel any pain?

Most patients feel no discomfort whatsoever during their treatment and feel surprisingly good afterwards.

Will I be totally relaxed?

You'll receive just enough sedation that you'll be completely unaware of the treatment, as you would if you were asleep.

Will I remember anything?

At the end of the treatment, you'll have little or no memory of your dental visit.

Will I be groggy after my treatment is over?

You will feel just fine. For your safety, we do require that you have a family member or friend drive you home, and that you do not drive for 24 hours. We also recommend for your safety to stay at home for the rest of the day.

Is Sedation Dentistry safe for me?

Before starting any treatment, we review your medical history, and we monitor you very closely while you're under sedation. If you are not suitable for sedation we will recommend alternative treatment.

What is the medication that is used in oral sedation?

It is a little blue pill. A sedative hypnotic pill called Triazolam that is in the same family as Valium. It is short acting, and half of it is used up by your body within 2 hours. It is the same medication that is prescribed hundreds of thousands of times a year by physicians as a very safe prescription sleeping aid. The drug enforcement administration has categorized it as a schedule IV substance, which means it is only one category higher than common aspirin. And, used for dental sedation there has never been a single case of a severe emergency using it in the dental office and there has never ever been a death using this medication in a dental office either. I emphasize, this medication is very, very safe. Again, this medication does not produce a deep sedation or general anesthesia.

Why do we only use a pill, intravenous medications or gas, and not general anesthesia. Well, 99% of time deep sedation or general anesthesia is just not necessary for general dentistry. Certainly, deep sedation and general anesthesia carries increased risks and is more dangerous. Another important thing is that some people who come to us are actually are afraid of needles, and don't want an I.V. in their arm. In this scenario we use the pill or inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide-oxygen or a pill is used for oral conscious sedation. The pill we use is placed under the tongue, allowed to dissolve and that's it! How much easier can that be? Another question we frequently hear is "are there any special restrictions prior to sedation dentistry?" Yes, there are.

• You won't be allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your appointment. We usually like to schedule Sedation cases first thing in the morning so that you do not stay hungry for too long. Breakfast is the only meal you will miss.
• No sedatives or alcohol 24 hours prior to or after your appointment.
• No stimulants, smoking or caffeine 12 hours before or after your appointment.
• And of course, you'll need a responsible person to drive you to your appointment, and return to bring you back home again after your appointment is over.

Does the medication have any side effects that you might notice?

Yes, there are two. First, some people get the hiccups, which usually only last a few minutes. And second, your mouth will become dry. But, if you do have one of these side effects you won't even remember having it.

Some people have difficulty getting numb at the dentist, and want to know how sedation dentistry will benefit them. Well, sedation dentistry helps a lot. Patients who are hard to get numb are much more responsive to getting numb when they are sedated.

How about gagging?

This is another great benefit with sedation dentistry, patients who gag easily have a much easier time with sedation dentistry, and find that their gag reaction is greatly reduced or non existent with sedation.
So, sedation dentistry has many benefits:

• It's great for those afraid of dentistry (dental phobics).
• It's great for those who have a difficult time getting numb.
• And it's great for those who gag easily.
• And, I emphasize this, sedation dentistry is great for those who need to have a lot of dentistry done, as it allows many appointments that might be needed to be condensed into just a few!

In our dental practice we believe in making every effort so that your dentistry is done in the most comfortable manner possible. For many patients this means offering sedation dentistry. You wouldn't think about getting your tonsils out or your wisdom teeth out without sedation, or an operation on your nose or ear, or laser eye surgery, or for that matter, almost any other surgery without sedation. Why should you have to go without sedation for general dentistry? Why shouldn't you have your dentistry done in the most comfortable, and yet safe way possible? In our practice we will make every effort to make your dentistry a very pleasant and comfortable experience.

Facts about Sedation Dentistry

• It works!
• It is safe! You take a small pill prior to your dental treatment and/or you have no needles in your mouth until you are totally relaxed and unaware.
• You will have little or no memory of the experience and you will not remember any sounds or smells.
• You can be kept comfortable from 2 - 6 hours after commencing treatment.
• Work requiring 6 to 8 regular dental appointments can usually be done in 1 or 2 visits with sedation dentistry.
• People who have difficulty getting numb have no problem when relaxed and sedated.
• We do all this with just a pill or laughing gas or a safe, intravenous medication which is a safe, non-narcotic medication.

These techniques are used to treat phobic patients safely thousands of times per year in dental offices across the country.

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