Sedation Dentistry

Imagine undergoing a complex dental treatment such as a root canal, extraction, or oral surgery. When your treatment is complete, 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:

• Fear or anxiety of being at the dentist
• Difficulty sitting still for long periods of time
• A hard time getting (and staying) numb from anesthetics

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry allows our dentists 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.

I am nervous about being unconscious; what levels of sedation are available to me?

There is no need to be nervous about having sedation dentistry at our practice. We are licensed by the Canadian Dental Association, and you will find we are both respectful and professional at all times.

Sedation dentistry is closely regulated by law. There are three sedative states at which our dentists can administer your treatment: mild sedation, moderate sedation, and deep sedation.

• Mild Sedation — Anxiolysis is the lightest form of sedation dentistry and is often used for patients with mild anxiety, longer procedures, or more complex situations. Usually administered orally, with mild sedation, you remain awake or very sleepy throughout the entire procedure and are able to breathe on your own, but you will feel a great sense of relaxation. Patients typically recover from anxiolysis sedation within a few hours after the procedure is complete. Nitrous oxide inhalation (laughing gas) is another form of mild-to-moderate sedation where you are very relaxed during treatment.
• Deep Sedation — Patients who receive deep sedation go between consciousness and unconsciousness during their dental procedure. They often have no recollection of the treatment and are unable to respond to commands even if they are awake at times during the procedure. It is recommended that patients who receive deep sedation have a parent, spouse, or friend accompany them to appointments because it can take several hours for the sedative 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. Recovery is quick so you can resume your normal activities immediately.
• Oral — An extremely common technique for dental sedation is oral sedation. It is easy and does not require the use of needles. You will be given a prescription pill, taken about an hour before your appointment, so that by the time you arrive at our office, you are fully relaxed.