Sedation Dentistry

What is laughing gas and what does it do?

Laughing gas is Nitrous Oxide and is commonly used as a local sedation method. It’s colorless and odorless and its usefulness stems from its ability to quickly work and safely reverse its affects. It is a widely considered safe dental sedation method.

What type of anesthesia are used for dental work?

The most common types of anesthesia used are local anesthesia, IV sedation and general anesthesia. Local anesthesia is a numbing medication that is injected directly in the area that is to be treated—usually the gums around an effected tooth. In contrast, general anesthesia produces a more profound experience that usually leaves no memory of the actual procedure. It’s typically used for more intensive procedures like tooth extraction, dental implants or other surgical procedures and the patient is unconscious during the process. IV sedation is a deeper type of anesthesia that achieves a period of brief sedation with very little memory of the surgery.

What should I expect with IV Sedation?

IV sedation does a great job of managing both pain and anxiety. An advantage of IV sedation is that the medicine takes effect very quickly and also wears off in a timely manner. This is the sedation method used for most oral surgeries.

IV Sedation Dentistry is an excellent treatment for many different types of people and situations. Here are just a few examples of who it is good for:

• Patients who have “dental phobia” and have avoided the dentist for many years, but need to have a procedure done.
• Patients undergoing certain surgical procedures such as wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, or extractions.
• Patients with a bad gag reflex that would otherwise not be able to tolerate a dental procedure.
• Patients with complex medical problems, disabilities, very sensitive teeth, or difficulty getting numb.

During this procedure, small amounts of medication are given through an IV line to produce a state of complete relaxation. You will have virtually no memory of the procedure and will feel no pain. Conscious sedation is most popular in dentistry because you are able to respond to verbal commands such as “open your mouth” or “close your mouth” and you are able to breathe and swallow just like normal! Throughout the procedure, you will be connected to a state-of-the-art monitor that will continuously assess your vital signs such as breathing sounds (Bluetooth laryngeal stethoscope), oxygenation (pulse oximetry), heart rhythms (EKG or ECG), and blood pressure, all of which help ensure a completely safe procedure.

Can I eat before sedation dentistry?

Whether or not you can eat depends on the type of sedation you are receiving. If you are receiving laughing gas, you can eat before. However, we recommend eating light as the nitrous oxide can make some people feel a little bit nauseous. If you are receiving oral or IV sedation, we ask that you do not eat for at least six hours before your appointment. This ensures that your stomach will be empty and will allow the sedation to work properly.