Sedation dentistry, as the name implies, is a technique used by a trained dentist to provide a relaxing and anxiety-free experience for people receiving dental treatment. A major benefit to the sedation technique is that people often feel the procedure lasts only a few minutes when in fact, it might have taken hours to perform. Most people rarely feel any discomfort after the procedure.

Many people avoid visiting the dentist because of the common dental phobia. Avoiding regular dental treatment often results in neglect of oral health and appearance, up to and beyond the point when drastic measures become necessary. Sedation dentistry addresses this phobia, allowing children and adults to undergo dental work while avoiding this common apprehension. Additionally, sedation dentistry is such that complex dental procedures normally requiring numerous visits can often be performed in just one or two sittings. Many dentists now offer sedation dentistry; however, the level of experience among dentists in sedation dentistry varies.

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 in a variety of ways.

Years ago, IV sedation was predominantly used to produce a sedated effect. Today, oral medications are available which are far safer, produce less fear in people, and are easier for dentists to provide. There is also the benefit of a "no needles" approach with oral medications, avoiding the primary fear of many people. In essence sedation dentistry has broken the cycle of fear.

Seeking the advice of a dentist experienced in sedation dentistry, rather than foregoing treatment because of fear and potential pain, gives people the opportunity to undergo critical procedures that they would have otherwise avoided.

    Out-Patient Hospital Care

Patients who cannot be successfully treated in a dental office can often be treated in a hospital setting. Our hospital patient’s fall into four major categories; those who are not manageable in an office setting such as the physically and or mentally handicapped, the sick and elderly with high risk medical problems, patients with dental phobias, and young children who are unmanageable in an office environment. Treatment is usually done in one visit. General anesthesia or intravenous sedation is available, and is always provided by members of the Department of Anesthesia.

If you or a member of your family needs dental treatment in the hospital please call the office for information. We usually like to see the patient in the office for an evaluation so we can develop the outline of a treatment plan, to determine the amount of operating room time needed to complete the treatment.

Medical High Risk Patients – The range of patients and medical conditions are too many to discuss individually. Our office is experienced in this type of treatment and will work with your medical team to provide safe and effective dental treatment.