Dental Sedation
LIFESmiles Dental offers sedation dentistry.
Sedatives are agents to aid in relaxation. They work by reducing your anxiety level and are often given when basic relaxation techniques fail. Sedatives may be used in tandem with anesthetics and analgesics. These kinds of sedatives (such as nitrous oxide and tranquilizers) can be administered before or during dental procedures.
Dr. Garpetti is trained and qualified to deliver sedatives to make your visit to the dentist calm and relaxing.
Some basic types of sedation:
Intravenous (IV) sedation
Intravenous sedation is the administration of a tranquillizer drug into the blood system in order to facilitate dental surgery in the highly anxious patient. An IV sedative produces a very strong sensation of deep relaxation and well-being in the vast majority of patients.
Most patients who have IV sedation report remembering very little or nothing from their dental surgery. IV sedation is administered by injecting a sedative agent into one of the superficial veins of your arm or hand. As the vein is usually just under the skin and the needles used these days are extremely thin, this is usually quite painless. Most people are good candidates for this kind of sedation. Some medical conditions such as severe lung diseases, some heart problems, obesity or anorexia rule it out as an option, however.
The IV sedation used at LIFESmiles Dental allows you to remain medically conscious yet deeply relaxed throughout your surgery.
Inhalation Sedation, Nitrous Oxide
Inhalation sedation, commonly known as nitrous oxide or laughing gas, uses a combination of nitrous and oxygen gases, which are inhaled by the patient through the nose. Nitrous oxide is a very benign, safe and simple drug to use. The strength of the sedative effect depends upon the concentration of nitrous oxide that is inhaled. The effects of nitrous oxide are easily controlled by the patient simply by breathing more or less through the mouth.
The effects of the gas wear off quickly upon removal. This gas does produce a feeling of well-being and euphoria combined with a feeling of good self-control while the treatment is being performed.
Nitrous oxide is commonly used on children during treatment because they tend to respond better to nitrous oxide as apposed to other techniques.
If you have any questions on sedation techniques please call us at (208)377-2160.
