What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Our dental team understand that many patients are hesitant about dental visits due to anxiety or fears. For your comfort, we offer different levels of anesthesia and sedation. Sedation is a process used to establish a relaxed, easy and calm state through the use of sedatives. Sedative drugs can be administered in a variety of ways and we will help you choose the best option to meet your needs! Sedation dentistry is performed in order to optimize our patient’s long-term outcome and assume minimal complications during the procedure.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide therapy or “laughing gas” is a mild sedative that is commonly used in dentistry. It is a color-less and odor-less gas that is administered through a small mask over your nose. The patient is able to achieve a level of relaxation as well as reduce pain during the procedure. Nitrous oxide is not addictive and exists the body within a few minutes.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Our dental team offers oral conscious sedation for patients who prefer a more moderate level of sedation. Patients are given oral medications while dental work is performed under strict monitoring of the patient. Patients become sleepy and thoroughly relaxed throughout the procedure. These patients are required to have a driver present and follow a few pre-procedural recommendations.
IV Conscious Sedation
This method would be considered if you have moderate to high levels of anxiety and your medical condition must be thoroughly evaluated. A precise amount of medication is administered intravenously based on every patient's specific needs. Throughout the procedure, you are continuously monitored by your entire dental team. Using IV conscious sedation, patients enter a sleep-like state and often have little or no memory of the procedure. For many patients IV sedation is the method of choice when performing wisdom tooth extractions.
Before Conscious Sedation
- You may not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for 4-6 hours prior to the appointment.
- A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home.
- The patient should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery for 24 hours following the anesthesia experience.
- It is critically important that our doctors and staff at Endodontic Associates of Illinois are made aware of your complete medical history.
