Sedation Dentistry

Many people are commonly fearful of going to the dentist even before they arrive at the office. Sedation dentistry may be recommend by your dentist to help reduce anxiety and allow for longer procedures to be completed in one visit. Sedation dentistry allows you to stay awake, while deeply relaxed, during the procedure. This means, you will still be able to follow direction from the dentist, and it will put you at ease during the appointment.
 
Due to the length of some procedures, your doctor may suggest the use of sedatives even if the patient is not uneasy. The alternative, general anesthesia, puts patients to sleep during dental procedures.
 
The sedatives have some similarities to general anesthesia:
  • longer procedures can be completed
  • the patient has no memories of the procedure
 
Sedatives can be administered using a variety of methods:
  • Nitrous oxide
  • Oral medications
  • Intravenous sedatives