Sedation Dentistry Specialist

What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry refers to the use of medications to make you calmer and more accepting of necessary dental procedures. Many people struggle to come to the dentist as often as they should, even for necessary dental procedures, for fear of feeling uncomfortable.

Sedation dentistry provides a solution for the feelings of anxiety that commonly arise before a dental appointment. Ramona Dental Specialists uses intravenous (IV) sedation to help patients like you relax. IV sedation works quickly because the medication goes directly into your bloodstream through a needle in your arm.

If needles also make you anxious, your provider can apply a topical numbing cream to your arm before inserting the needle. They closely monitor your heart rate and oxygen levels throughout your procedure to make sure you don’t react poorly to the sedative.

When should I consider sedation for my dental work?

Sedation is available for many dental procedures and services at Ramona Dental Specialists. If you have anxiety about the sensations that you feel while going to the dentist, your provider can help you decide if IV sedation benefits you.

In some cases, your oral surgeon might recommend IV sedation for certain complex dental procedures. Since sedation helps you relax, it can make the following procedures easier:

• Root canal therapy
• Implant surgery
• Wisdom teeth extractions
• Other tooth extractions
• Bone grafting
• Gum surgery

During your consultation, you should let your provider know which medications you take regularly. You may need to adjust your dosage or stop taking them to have a safe procedure with IV sedation.

How might I feel during and after dental sedation?

IV sedation doesn’t put you fully to sleep. Instead, as soon as the sedative takes effect, you feel very peaceful and relaxed. For this reason, it’s often called twilight sleep or conscious sedation. You can respond to your provider’s commands and requests throughout the procedure.

Once the sedative starts to wear off, you have little or no memory of the procedure and your feelings throughout it. You should arrange a ride to the office and back home since driving before the sedation wears off can be dangerous. Ideally, you should reserve the rest of the day to rest and relax as the medication exits your system.

If dental visits for any purpose make you anxious, call Ramona Dental Specialists, or book a consultation for sedation dentistry online today.