Sedation Dental - Palm Beach County, FL

Sedation Dental - Palm Beach County

Is sedation dentistry for you?

Do you have anxiety about going to the dental office? If so, you are not alone. Many people experience mild to severe anxiety before and during dental appointments. Sedation dentistry can make pain, fear and anxiety a thing of the past when going to the dentist. Sedation can eliminate your fears so you can safely and comfortably achieve a beautiful, healthy smile.

Oral (Conscious) Sedation vs. Intravenous (IV) Sedation

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation allows dental professionals to easily and safely perform all office dental procedures in a state of deep conscious relaxation. Oral sedation patients are very relaxed during the entire appointment and in many cases do not even recall having the dental procedure done. The amount of medication given will vary from patient to patient based on their weight and the level of relaxation they are trying to achieve. Patients who undergo oral sedation are unable to drive for at least 24 hours. It is also recommended that they do not return to work until the next day.

Intravenous (IV) Sedation

IV sedation is used when the patient requires or requests to be unconscious during the dental procedure. Traditionally IV sedation is used for the extraction of wisdom teeth and other similar procedures. IV sedation requires special training and certification and is usually associated with specialists such as oral surgeons. As with oral sedation, patients are unable to drive for at least 24 hours and it is recommended that they do not return to work until the next day.

Choosing a Sedation Dentist

When choosing a dentist for sedation, make sure to ask some important questions before making the appointment requiring sedation. First, ask if they have had special training in sedation. It is always best to choose a dentist who has had additional education in this area. Also, Texas requires a permit from the State Board for each level of sedation offered. Make sure that your dentist is permitted by the State Board to perform sedation. Second, ask if they are certified in ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support). Being sedated is not a routine procedure and it is important that your dentist is able to respond appropriately if a medical emergency were to arise. Last, ask how long they have been providing sedation. A more experienced dentist should be able to provide you with a better standard of care. These questions can be asked over the phone or during the sedation consultation.

Sedation Alternatives

Besides sedation, there are other choices when it comes to relaxing at a dental office. Many patients find that nitrous oxide or laughing gas provides a calm relaxed feeling making sedation unnecessary. Also, look for an office whose staff is trained in pain management techniques. Many offices provide patients with numbing pre-anesthetic gel to relieve 98% of the discomfort of dental injections. This gel can also be used throughout all hygiene procedures to make sure your dental cleanings are comfortable.

Don't Underestimate Patient Comfort - Many offices provide amenities to help ensure your visits are comfortable and stress-free. Here are just of few of the items they may offer:

• Preloaded iPods/CD players
• Bose Noise Canceling Headphones
• Heated Chair Massager
• Warm Blankets

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