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Sedation Dentistry
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At Peninsula Center of Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer sedation dentistry to create a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for our patients. Our doctors and the rest of our team have received extensive training for the safe and effective use of several types of sedation.
Sedation Dentistry Helps Patients With:
- Moderate-to-Severe Dental Anxiety
- Strong Gag Reflex
- Difficulty Sitting Still for Long Procedures
- Fears & Worries About Discomfort
Levels Of
Sedation
The level of sedation you receive depends on the medication we use, and the severity of your anxiety. Patients with significant anxiety may need to be placed in a deeper level of sedation. There are four major levels of sedation:
Minimal Sedation
Moderate Sedation
Deep Sedation
General Anesthesia
Nitrous Oxide
Commonly known as “laughing gas,” is the most common type of dental sedation. The gas also takes and loses effect almost instantly, making it the only sedation that does not require you to arrange a ride after your appointment.
Nitrous oxide is easy to control with minimal side-effects, making it one of the safest and most effective ways to eliminate anxiety.
- The gas is administered through a facemask that is placed over the nose at the beginning of the procedure.
- The gas is administered through a facemask that is placed over the nose at the beginning of the procedure.
Oral Sedation
Oral, or enteral sedation is also extremely common in dentistry. This type of sedation typically comes in the form of a pill or liquid. Medications like Halcion or Valium may be the best way to achieve minimal to moderate levels
of relaxation.
The medication typically makes you drowsy or groggy, but still alert enough to answer questions and understand your surroundings.
IV Sedation And General Anesthesia
IV (intravenous) sedation and general anesthesia are administered through the vein directly to the bloodstream. The IV sedation will place you on the edge of consciousness, with little or no recollection of the procedure.
General anesthesia places you completely under and usually requires the supervision of an anesthesiologist. Both of these forms require you to arrange a ride with a friend or family member following your appointment.
Dr. Karl Supal
More about IV sedation
Dr. Karl Supal
More about IV sedation
IV sedation puts you in a relaxed state of mind but does not put you to sleep. You will remain awake and be able to respond to any requests the doctor may have while you are sedated. Patients often experience partial or total amnesia for the full period of sedation. That is to say, you will not remember most of (or sometimes all of) the procedure. Meanwhile the drugs we use will give you a very pleasant feeling of euphoria.
You will be aware of what is happening while it is happening. You will feel at ease with what is happening. You will be able to respond to our requests during the procedure – all this and you won’t remember a thing!
We do not use narcotics in our IV sedation. Instead we use drugs from the benzodiazepine family. Benzodiazepines work by suppressing anxiety inducing effects in the brain. They do nothing to prevent pain which is why we will always use a local anesthetic during any procedure which might be uncomfortable.
We only use sedation techniques that have been approved by the American Dental Association. To ensure your safety we will go over your medical history and request a list of medications that you are taking.
The application of the IV is the easiest part, just a small prick around the wrist and in no time the effects of the drug will kick in. You will feel calm and before you know it the procedure will be over. You may remember snippets of the procedure but probably not much. We encourage you to bring a friend or family member with you to any appointment in which you will receive IV sedation to ensure a safe return home.
Achieve
The smile of your dreams!
Schedule a personal visit to Peninsula Center of Cosmetic Dentistry in Los Altos today
Achieve
The smile of your dreams!
Schedule a personal visit to Peninsula Center of Cosmetic Dentistry in Los Altos today
Peninsula
Center of Cosmetic Dentistry
- Monday - Thursday: 7am - 5pm
- Friday: 7am - 4pm
- Saturday - Sunday: Closed