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Oral Conscious Sedation

If the idea of going to the dentist for a procedure brings on feelings of fear or anxiety there are options to ease the anxiety. Oral conscious sedation is as easy as taking an aspirin and you will feel relaxed and at ease. Oral conscious sedation does not "knock you out" like some other forms of anesthesia. You will remain awake during your procedure, but you will be in a heightened state of relaxation. It is also possible that you will not remember part, or all, of your procedure.

Oral conscious sedation is extremely safe and easy. It is much less expensive than other forms of sedation, and you will be able to talk and breathe on your own during the procedure. It also makes long or complex procedures seem shorter, allowing you to have all of your work done in a single visit. As an added precaution a local anesthetic will be given to the area that is being worked on to ensure that there is no pain. You will need to have someone drive you to and from the office if you use oral conscious sedation for your safety.

Don't wait any longer to have necessary dental work performed because you are nervous. Ask your dentist about oral conscious sedation to see if it is right for you.

IV Sedation

If the idea of going to the dentist for a procedure brings on feelings of fear or anxiety there are options to ease the anxiety. IV sedation is very safe and easy and is recommended for moderate to severe anxiety. Medication is given right into your blood stream and it works quickly and effectively. You will remain awake during your procedure, but you will be in a heightened state of relaxation. It is also possible that you will not remember part or all of your procedure afterwards.

IV sedation makes long or complex procedures seem shorter, allowing you to have all of your work done in a single visit in many cases. As an added precaution a local anesthetic will be given to the area that is being worked on to ensure that there is no pain. The benefit of IV sedation is that the level of medication can be adjusted during your procedure to ensure maximum comfort. Your heart rate and breathing are monitored very closely while you are being medicated because your safety is our number one concern.

Don't wait any longer to have necessary dental work performed because you are nervous. Ask your dentist about IV sedation to see if it is right for you.

Anxiolysis

Anxiolysis is a form of oral sedation using a light sedative, such as valium. It is not as strong as oral conscious sedation, so it is recommended for those with mild to moderate anxiety. You will remain conscious for the procedure, but any tension and anxiety will fade away. You will be able to talk and breathe on your own during the procedure as well. What can be a nerve-racking experience for some is morphed into a relaxing experience.

After the procedure you will even be able to drive yourself home since anxiolysis uses a light sedative. If you have been fretting having dental work done, call us to learn about our anxiety free options for dentistry.

Nitrous Oxide

Dr. Eghtessad is an experienced, certified oral sedation dentist.

Oral sedation is a technique used by a trained dentists to provide a relaxing and anxiety-free experience for patients with dental phobia.

Sedation dentistry allowes people who have neglected their teeth due to anxiety and fear to be able to have dental work done in fewer appointments without anxiety.

Sedation is a technique that aims to pharmacologically alter your central nervous system (CNS) to produce an overall calm and relaxed (sedated) sensation. Sedative drugs (tranquillizers, depressants, sleeping pills, anxiolytics, etc.) are used to induce sedation and can be administered orally.

Dr. Eghtessad will fully explain the procedure to you prior to your sedation appointment. You will need to be accompanied to the appointment and leaving the appointment. Your vital signs will be carefully monitored throughout the appointment. We will provide a comfortable environment for your oral sedation experience.

Laughing Gas / Nitrous Oxide

We also offer Nitrous oxide for our fearful and anxious patients.

Sedation FAQ

Q. Who is a candidate for sedation?

A. If you have anxiety or fear about going to the dentist you are a candidate for sedation dentistry. If you have a fear of pain, have had a traumatic dental experience in the past, or the sounds and smells of a dental office make you nauseous, sedation dentistry can help you get over your anxiety.

Some people have physical reasons, like a bad gag reflex or very sensitive teeth, which make them a candidate for sedation dentistry as well. If you are not sure if you are a candidate ask your dentist.

Q. Will I be unconscious?

A. No, but you will be in a deep state of relaxation during your treatment. You will still be able to breathe on your own and communicate, but you will not feel any pain or anxiety. You may not even remember the procedure afterwards.

Q. How long will I be sedated?

A. Sedation can last from about 2-6 hours depending on the strength of sedative you are given and how long your procedure takes.

Q. Will I be monitored?

A. Yes, at all times during your sedation someone will be with you. We also monitor your vitals to make sure they remain at a normal level. Safety is of the utmost importance to us.

Q. Are there any long term effects of sedation?

A. No. You will feel a little groggy and "out of it" after some forms of sedation, but after a few hours you will feel like yourself again. You will need to have someone drive you home from your appointment in these cases.

Q. What procedures can be performed under sedation?

A. Just about any procedure can be performed with sedation. The sedation is not for the procedure itself, but for the anxiety that accompanies the procedure. Ask your dentist if sedation is available for a particular procedure.

Q. How many appointments will I need to complete my dental work?

A. In most cases it only takes two appointments. The first appointment will be a consultation to check your health history and make sure you are a candidate for sedation. The next appointment will be to perform the necessary procedures. This can usually be done in one appointment, but may require a follow up visit.

Q. Will my insurance cover sedation?

A. In most cases it will not be covered by your insurance provider. We will review your insurance coverage and let you know if it is covered or not. If it is not covered, we will let you know the cost and, if necessary, we can put together a financing plan for you.

Panorex

A panorex is a very impressive piece of imaging machinery in that it is capable of identifying many issues and structures that a normal x-ray is not. Initially you will sit in a chair with your chin on a small ledge. Once positioned in the machine, it will rotate around your entire head taking a full 360 degree view of the teeth, head, sinuses and bones.

The ability to view the full structure of your head as a whole is very informative to the dentist. It will allow us to see any potential problems and make sure that everything is functioning as it should be. The panorex is capable of viewing specific types of structural problems, infections or asymmetry among many others.

Intraoral Camera

The intraoral camera is an amazing diagnostic tool for viewing different angles in the mouth that we would not have been able to just a few years ago. The camera gives us the ability to view the entire mouth on a monitor so that we can get a closer look at any potential issues or problems that may arise. In addition, the patient will have the ability to see for themselves first hand the same images we are seeing. These digital images are also excellent for gaining procedure acceptance from insurance companies.

Rotary Endodontics

Endodontics, more commonly known as root canal, is a procedure where the roots or nerves of the tooth are removed. This is often due to the fact that they are infected and the tooth is causing pain.

Rotary Endodontics is a way of performing the root canal utilizing a specific electrical handpiece. This tool often makes the process faster and allows the dentist to perform the process with greater ease.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer screenings are a very important part of the dental visit for the patient. With the advances in modern technology, we are now able to pinpoint the start of a potential problem much earlier in its evolution. The ability to do so is extremely important in being able to treat any issues prior to them becoming a major irreversible problem.

The oral cancer screening is often completed with an ultraviolet light or similar device that allows us to view issues that can't always be detected by the human eye under normal conditions.

Certain lifestyle choices can have a great impact on the health of tissues and your overall health in the mouth. If you are a smoker or heavy drinker, make sure to get regular screenings when you visit the dentist.

Digital X- Ray

Traditionally, dentists use x-rays to find out what’s going on below the surface, developing them in a darkroom full of chemicals, and examining the resulting films on a special light board. Now, a tiny sensor placed in the mouth acts like a miniature VCR camera with an x-ray sensitive chip, exposing you to 50%-90% less radiation exposure than with traditional x-rays. The resulting highly detailed image of your mouth is almost instantaneously translated onto our computer and on the monitor in front of your chair.