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Sedation Dentistry
Some people feel anxious or nervous about their dental visits. Dr. Reardon wants to make sure your visit is as free from discomfort and anxiety as possible. Here are some common questions we get about sedation dentistry:
What is sedation dentistry?
Sedation is a safe and effective technique that helps patients be completely relaxed and comfortable during their dental appointments. There are a number of sedation options at our practice. We'll discuss the options with you and help you decide what's right for you.
Who is sedation for?
Sedation is right for anyone who wants a comfortable and relaxing dental experience. It is especially useful if you:
- Have dental fear which makes you delay or avoid dental treatment
- Have had a bad experience at the dentist in the past
- Can't get comfortable at the dental office
- Can't stand the sights, sounds or smells of a dental office
- Can't sit still during a dental appointment
- Have problems getting numb, making appointment very painful
- Need a lot work done and don't have time for several appointments
- Are embarrassed about the condition of your teeth
- Have a bad gag reflex
- Have extremely sensitive teeth
- Hate needles and shots
What if I am embarrassed?
You don't need to be embarrassed anymore. We see patients like you every day. Some of our patients haven't been to the dentist in ten or twenty years or more. We will never criticize or make you feel self-conscious about the condition of your mouth. We are here to help.
What is IV Sedation?
When a drug, usually of the anti-anxiety variety, is administered into the blood system during dental treatment, this is referred to as Intravenous Conscious Sedation (aka "IV Sedation”).
What does IV sedation feel like? Will I be asleep?
A lot of dental offices use terms such as "sleep dentistry" or "twilight sleep" when talking about IV sedation. This is confusing, because it suggests that IV sedation involves being put to sleep. In reality, you remain conscious during IV sedation. You will also be able to understand and respond to requests from your dentist.
However, you may not remember much about what went on because of two factors: firstly, in most people, IV sedation induces a state of deep relaxation and a feeling of not being bothered by what's going on. Secondly, the drugs used for IV sedation can produce either partial or full memory loss (amnesia) for the period of time when the drug first kicks in until it wears off. As a result, time will appear to pass very quickly and you will not recall much, or perhaps even nothing at all, of what happened. So it may, indeed, appear as if you were "asleep" during the procedure.
How is IV sedation administered?
"Intravenous" means that the drug is put into a vein. An extremely thin needle is put into a vein close to the surface of the skin in either the arm or the back of your hand. This needle is wrapped up with a soft plastic tube. The needle makes the entry into the vein, then is slid out leaving the soft plastic tube in place. The drugs are put in through that tube, which stays in place throughout the procedure.
Throughout the procedure, your pulse and oxygen levels are measured using a "pulse oximeter". This gadget clips onto a finger or an earlobe and measures pulse and oxygen saturation. It gives a useful early warning sign if you're getting dangerously low on oxygen, although if your dentist and the nurses are paying attention they should see it before the machine does =). The warning signs are unresponsiveness and slow breathing. Blood pressure before and after the procedure should be checked with a blood pressure measuring machine
What happens after the appointment?
You may still feel a little sleepy. We'll keep you in the office until you're ready for your companion to take you home. For safety reasons, you can't drive, and your companion needs to stay with you for the rest of the day. It's best to just take it easy. We do encourage you to eat and drink, because this will help you feel better. The next day will just be a normal day.
Is it Safe?
Sedation is very safe, and we monitor your vital signs during the whole appointment. Our whole team has been trained to care for sedated patients to ensure both safety and comfort.
What is N20 - Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide, commonly called laughing gas, is used on patients of all ages, and few side effects are associated with its use. Nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask. Its effects wear off soon after the mask is removed.
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