SEDATION DENTISTRY
Changing your view of sedation dentistry in Tumwater, WA
ARE YOU FEELING NERVOUS?
Find real relief from dental anxiety with our sedation dentistry
Imagine a complex dental treatment like a root canal, extraction, or oral surgery. When your dentist completes your treatment, you have no recollection of the time it took, the pain, the noise, or the discomfort you were expecting. We are pleased to offer our patients the option of comfortable, safe, and effective sedation dentistry. Patients who benefit from sedation dentistry have:
- A fear or anxiety of being at the dentist
- A hard time sitting still for long periods of time
- A hard time getting (and staying) numb from anesthetics
Together we will decide what treatment is needed and how best to help through your dental visits.
What types of procedures are included in sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry allows your dentist to provide a variety of dental treatments safely and comfortably for patients who experience anxiety when visiting the dentist. There are several benefits to sedation dentistry, including:
- No memory of undergoing the procedure
- No sense of time while under sedation
- No sense of smell or sound
- No fear or anxiety during treatment
Patients who have undergone a procedure using sedation dentistry will tell you it is a simple, relaxing way to experience dentistry.
Your Sedation Dentistry Options
Making your dental appointment painless and comfortable
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide, this option, comes through a nose hood and the dentist administers it throughout the entire procedure. It elevates your general mood and can evoke an overall sense of well-being.
Most importantly, it relieves your anxiety and reduces pain during the procedure. You can drive yourself to and from each appointment when using nitrous oxide.
Oral Conscious Sedation
We provide oral medication prior to treatment, and then we add nitrous oxide to induce a more profound state of sedation. You remain “awake,” but your senses dull.
This means that we give most patients oral medication that prevents them from remembering the pain, smells, or noises associated with the dental procedure. You will need a driver to and from the appointment when we use oral medication.
IV Sedation
Patients who have previously experienced IV sedation report that the sedation made them sleep through the entire procedure. When you receive IV sedation, a treatment taking several hours will feel like minutes have passed.
Dentists typically use this type of sedation for longer procedures or more complicated oral surgeries, but they can also use it for simple fillings or even cleanings. If you receive IV sedation, you will need a driver to take you to and from the appointment.
I am nervous about being unconscious. What levels of sedation are available to me?
You don’t need to feel nervous about having sedation dentistry at our practice. We hold a license from the American Dental Association, and you’ll find that we always treat you with respect and professionalism.
The law closely regulates sedation dentistry, and your dentist can administer your treatment at three sedative states: mild sedation, moderate sedation, and deep sedation.
Mild Sedation
Anxiolysis is the lightest form of sedation dentistry, and dentists often use it for patients with mild anxiety, longer procedures, or more complex situations. Dentists usually administer mild sedation orally. Patients remain awake or very sleepy throughout the entire procedure and can breathe on their own, but they will feel a great sense of relaxation.
Patients typically recover from anxiolysis sedation within a few hours after completing the procedure. Dentists use nitrous oxide inhalation (laughing gas) as another form of mild to moderate sedation that relaxes patients during treatment.
Moderate Sedation
Dentists use conscious sedation for patients with moderate dental anxiety and for patients who need longer or more complex procedures. With conscious sedation, you will remain awake throughout your procedure, but your dentist will place you in a deep state of relaxation.
Dentists recommend that patients who receive conscious sedation have a parent, spouse, or friend accompany them to appointments because the sedative can take several hours to wear off and driving may be unsafe.
How are sedatives administered?
Inhalation
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is the most frequently used method for easing mild to moderate anxiety. You can resume your normal activities immediately after using it because the recovery is quick.
Oral Sedation
An extremely common technique for dental sedation is oral sedation. Our dentists use this easy method that does not require the use of needles. We will give you a prescription pill which, taken about an hour before your appointment, will have you fully relaxed by the time you arrive at our office.
