Sedation dentistry refers to medically induced relaxation techniques used during dental procedures. It can make any procedure from a simple cavity filling to oral surgery. Sedation may be requested due to dental anxiety or recommended due to the invasiveness or complexity of the procedure. 

If you’re going to be sedated for an upcoming dental appointment, you may be wondering how sedation dentistry works and what to expect. Here’s what you need to know. 

What is Sedation Dentistry?

The term sedation means a state of calmness, relaxation, or sleepiness. Sedation dentistry is the use of medication or gas to make dental treatment easier on the patient. There are many levels of sedation ranging from mild to moderate to deep sedation. The level of sedation that is appropriate for your procedure will depend on your personal preference as well as the type of treatment you are receiving.  

Types of Sedation Used in Dentistry

The following types of sedation are typically used in dentistry:

• Nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is a gas that is made up of part oxygen and part nitrogen. It is administered through a mask worn over your nose. You breathe in and out through your nose and it will take effect in a few minutes, helping you feel calm and relaxed. Nitrous oxide can produce a euphoric feeling that has been known to make some people laugh, which is where the unofficial name “laughing gas” came from. 

• IV sedation. IV sedation is administered intravenously through a vein in your arm or hand. As the medication enters your bloodstream it provides a sleepy feeling. You may feel as if you are asleep, but you are technically conscious and responsive. In most cases patients don’t remember anything after IV sedation. The amount of medication can be carefully controlled to achieve the desired level of sedation. 

• General anesthesia. General anesthesia provides the deepest level of sedation, the same type that is used for most hospital-based surgeries. It involves a combination of IV medication and a sedative gas to render you completely unconscious, which is why it is administered in a hospital setting. You are carefully monitored during the use of general anesthesia to ensure your health and safety.

 

What Type of Sedation Will I Have? 

You and your oral surgeon will discuss sedation options to determine what is the best type for you and your procedure. If it is not particularly invasive, local anesthesia may be all that is needed. If you feel nervous or anxious about a dental procedure, nitrous oxide is a safe and effective relaxation technique. 

For more invasive or lengthy procedures, IV sedation or general anesthesia may be recommended. With these options you are less aware or completely unaware of what is going on around you during your procedure. The time passes quickly and you have little or no memory of the time when you are under sedation. 

What Type of Aftercare and Assistance Will I Need?

If you have local anesthesia or nitrous oxide, you will not require any assistance after your procedure. You can drive yourself to and from the procedure as you normally would. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off in just a few minutes after the mask is removed from your nose. 

With IV sedation you will need a family member or trusted friend to drive you to and from your appointment and to stay with you for the first 24 hours. You should not be alone in case there are any side effects or complications. 

General anesthesia may require an overnight hospital stay or it may be an out-patient procedure. This will depend on the type of procedure and how you are feeling afterwards. You will need a family member or trusted friend to drive you to and from the procedure and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours. 

Why Choose Fullerton Oral Surgery?

At Fullerton Oral Surgery we offer a range of sedation options to make your dental procedure as comfortable as possible for you. We carefully administer all forms of sedation and diligently monitor our patients to ensure safety. 

To learn more, call 714-525-1178 or contact us today to schedule an appointment. 

Oral surgery is sometimes necessary for dental health. When a problem arises that requires surgery, it can make some patients feel uneasy and even anxious. Dental anxiety is a common condition affecting a wide variety of people of all ages. For some it can be severe enough to prevent them from getting the dental care they need. 

The good news is that there are options for patients who feel anxious about dental procedures. Sedation can help you feel more relaxed and in some cases not even remember the procedure afterwards. Here’s how we utilize sedation to alleviate patient anxiety

What is Sedation?

Sedation is the use of medically induced relaxation techniques during dental or medical procedures. Various forms of medication are used and administered in a variety of ways to help patients feel relaxed and calm. 

Types of Sedation 

The main types of sedation used in dentistry and oral surgery include: 

• Local anesthesia. Local anesthesia involves the injection of an anesthetic solution adjacent to the nerves which numbs the area so that the patient does not feel any pain. Most common medications used for local anesthesia are lidocaine, mepivacaine, bupivacaine, and prilocaine.

• Nitrous oxide. For patients who need additional sedation in order to have local anesthesia applied, nitrous oxide is often used. A mask is placed over your nose that delivers a combination of gasses that provide a calming effect. As you breathe in through your nose the nitrous oxide takes effect quickly. Your arms and legs may feel heavy and you may feel a tingling sensation in your fingers and toes. It wears off in just a few minutes after your procedure so you can resume your normal activities. 

• IV sedation. Medication administered through an IV can relax you to the point where you are completely unaware of the procedure. You are technically conscious and will respond to requests, but you most likely won’t remember anything afterwards. 

• Hospital-based IV sedation. For particularly complex, invasive, or lengthy procedures your oral surgeon may recommend hospital-based IV sedation, otherwise known as general anesthesia. This is the type of sedation used for other surgical procedures that take place in a hospital setting. You will be completely unconscious but closely monitored while under sedation to ensure that you are safe and well throughout the procedure. 

How Does Sedation Alleviate Anxiety in Patients?

Dental anxiety stems from a wide variety of concerns and fears. Some patients may be afraid of needles, while others are afraid of the sound of the dental tools. In some cases it's the idea of being put to sleep that causes anxiety and in others it is fear of pain. We welcome you to discuss your worries and fears with us so that we can create a plan that will help you get the dental care you need with the least amount of anxiety and stress. 

In our experience using sedation, we have seen patients make a total transformation from fearful and anxious to calm and relaxed. Some patients have such a positive experience with sedation that their dental anxiety is completely gone after a single procedure. 

Fullerton Oral Surgery Provides Sedation 

If you’re in need of an oral surgery that makes you feel anxious, Fullerton Oral Surgery is here to help. We provide a range of sedation options to help alleviate patient anxiety, allowing you to get the procedure you need without fear and stress. Our compassionate care and judgment-free understanding will put you at ease and help you feel as comfortable as possible. 

To learn more, call 714-525-1178 or contact us today to schedule a consultation.