What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is a form of dentistry that uses sedatives to calm anxiety or to help a patient during more complex dental procedures. Sedation dentistry comes in many forms. At Westend Dental, we want our patients to be as informed as possible before they make choices about which form of sedation will work best for them. The kind of sedation dentistry that you choose depends on the procedure that a dental patient is going to undergo in addition to how said patient reacts to being at the dentist. Implant procedures, particularly long procedures and long procedures that patients may want completed more quickly are common situations during which time sedation dentistry may be used.

What kinds of sedation dentistry does Westend Dental offer?

Conscious Sedation

• Anti-anxiety medication
• Patients take in-office or just before visit

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

• A moderate form of sedation
• In-office procedure
• Good for patients with high anxiety or for patients who would rather be asleep during their procedures
• Patients are impaired after nitrous oxide sedation and will need a caregiver after their procedure

Intravenous Sedation

• In-office procedure
• Requires certification and Westend schedules an appointment with an anesthesiologist
• Patients need a caregiver after treatment
• A good option for patients with a great fear of the dentist and a lengthy procedure before them
• This is also a good option for patients who do not wish to remember their dental visit at all

Who is sedation dentistry best for?

Sedation dentistry at Westend Dental can accommodate patients:

• Above the age of 18
• Who suffer from impatience or anxiety
• Who have anxiety or fear particularly related to dental visits
• Who may be undergoing multiple treatments and desire to reduce treatment to one procedure
• Who gag easily or who are highly sensitive to pain

Where do patients take or receive sedatives?

Depending on the type of sedative a patient is going to take, or the sedation procedure that a patient is going to undergo, the procedure will either take place in our dental office, or they will take medication just before coming into Westend for their dental procedure.

How should I prepare for sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is still a serious procedure that needs to be treated with the utmost caution and care. In preparing for such a procedure, patients need to:

• Be transparent with their dentist about their medical history
• Talk about which procedure would be best for them with their dentist
• Talk to their dental professional about the related and potential risks involved with sedation dentistry
• Consider their age – for patients under the age of 18, parents should consult a pediatric specialist if sedation dentistry is a consideration

If sedation dentistry is a procedure that you are considering, please contact Westend Dental today. Our dental professionals can help you understand which procedure may be right for you, all the while informing you and walking you through the next-steps related to using a sedative procedure.