SEDATION DENTISTRY OPTIONS -

• Conscious sedation (awake and aware): Conscious sedation is also known as “relaxation,” or “comfortable” dentistry. For patients with minimal anxiety or fear, it can be achieved with nitrous gas. For patients exhibiting mild fear, a mild gag reflex or for simpler/quicker procedures, conscious sedation can also be achieved with an oral sedative. Each option can be used alone, or may be combined to customize the level and duration of sedation in Sedation Dentistry.
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• Nitrous Gas (inhalation sedation): Used for over 100 years, nitrous gas is an excellent analgesic administered via a nasal hood, and can be easily fine-tuned by the dentist. All bodily functions remain essentially normal, and effects wear off quickly.
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• Oral Conscious Sedation: The patient self-administers, usually about an hour before treatment. After consulting with us, we will determine the most appropriate oral sedation medication and dosage based upon your health history and necessary duration of action. An added bonus of this option is that it has an amnesic that leaves a patient with little or no memory after treatment.
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• Deep conscious sedation (asleep and unaware): Deep conscious sedation options exist for patients who need to take sedation to the next level because of extreme phobia, physical, developmental, or mental/emotional limitations that prevent them from being able to remain still and/or cooperative for procedures.
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• I.V. (intravenous) Sedation: Known as “conscious, or deep conscious, sedation,” patients feel they are sleeping, but can still respond to direction or inquiry. Sedation is administered directly into the bloodstream intravenously with more potent drugs than used for oral conscious sedation. This option will impact bodily functions and requires specialized monitoring
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• Unconscious sedation (asleep and unaware): Unconscious sedation may also be indicated for patients who require multiple treatments that they would like addressed in as few sittings as possible

• General Anesthesia: This option is appropriate for patients who have the most severe phobia or physical/developmental conditions, including severe gag reflexes. General anesthesia must be performed by an anesthesiologist and requires a hospital affiliation. Once anesthetized, a patient is in a complete state of unconsciousness during treatment. The patient will have no sensation or memory of the treatment. Patients with treatment needs that span a number of hours may find general anesthesia the most comfortable option for sedation, and in most cases they can return home safely within 2-4 hours after their procedures.

Currently, we provide Nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation at our office.