It’s normal to feel a little nervous about a visit to the dentist, especially if you’re undergoing complex dental care. If your anxiety makes you very uncomfortable, or even prevents you from getting the care you need, then you may want to ask Dr. Touchstone about sedation dentistry. Dr. Touchstone has both the training and experience to provide dental procedural sedation that will make your dental experience much more comfortable.
What is sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry involves using medication to help you relax during dental procedures. It’s especially beneficial for people who experience anxiety, have a low pain threshold, or need extensive or especially invasive dental work.
How does sedation dentistry help?
Sedation dentistry can be life-changing, especially if fear of pain prevents you from getting the oral care you need. Benefits of sedation dentistry include:
- Reduces anxiety and fear
- Helps patients feel calm and relaxed
- Minimizes discomfort and pain
- Makes long procedures feel shorter
- Allows multiple treatments in one visit
- Reduces memory of the procedure
- Increases comfort for patients with sensitive teeth
- Safe and controlled by professionals
What does sedation dentistry feel like?
Depending on the type and level of sedation used, you may feel drowsy, deeply relaxed, or even fall asleep during your appointment. Once safely sedated, you may not even remember it afterwards.
Touchstone Dentistry offers three routes (types) of sedation
- Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): Nitrous oxide is a gas that is inhaled through a mask. It is often used alone to minimize anxiety for shorter visits or in combination with other medications in order to create the ideal level of sedation for longer visits. Its effects wear off quickly, allowing patients to resume normal activities almost immediately after their appointment.
- Oral Sedation: A prescribed pill, such as Halcion or Valium, taken before the procedure, induces mild to moderate sedation. Patients remain conscious but deeply relaxed and may have little memory of the procedure.
- IV Sedation: Delivered directly into the bloodstream, IV sedation works quickly and allows the dentist to adjust the level of sedation as needed. While patients remain responsive, they are in a state of deep relaxation and may not recall much of the procedure afterward.
Post-sedation precautions: getting home safely
The lingering effects of sedative medications can impair coordination, reaction time, and judgment, making it unsafe to drive. So, after receiving sedation, especially oral or IV sedation, you should arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home. It’s also wise to take the rest of the day off, stay hydrated, and avoid strenuous activities until the sedation fully wears off. Always follow the post-care instructions provided by Dr. Touchstone to ensure a smooth recovery.
Dr. Touchstone has the qualifications to provide sedation
Dr. Touchstone trained with Dr. Kevin Croft, a Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologist in Salt Lake City, UT and received his Parenteral Moderate Sedation Certification. This allows him to administer drugs in an IV to achieve moderate sedation. To earn this, dentists must complete specific training requirements, and demonstrate skill in moderate parenteral conscious sedation.
Is sedation dentistry right for you?
Sedation dentistry helps countless patients get the care they need without anxiety, and without pain. If this sounds like something you’d like, then speak with Dr. Touchstone. He’ll help you decide which sedation option is best for you, depending on your individual needs, and your procedure.