We offer oral surgery to address complex and serious oral health issues, from wisdom tooth extraction treating facial trauma, or even dental implant placement. We want to make sure you’re comfortable throughout the process, especially if you have dental anxiety. In today’s blog, your Santa Rosa , CA, oral surgeons talk about how we ensure your comfort with sedation dentistry.
Who Benefits From Dental Sedation?
Who needs to receive dental sedation prior to treatment? We may recommend this for people with dental anxiety, which can make undergoing even minor checkups and cleanings a difficult process. If you have serious dental phobias, we understand and never want to minimize your concerns. But with calming options, you can feel relaxed and comfortable, with little to no memory of the procedure afterward. We also recommend this for those with special needs or if you’re undergoing more extensive treatments, such as oral surgery.
Choosing the Right Option for You
Our doctors and staff have received extensive training in the administration of various sedation options. We use the latest technology and medications when possible. So, we can help ensure you enjoy a relaxed and positive visit to our office. We’re experienced in helping people of all ages, from kids to seniors, and have been trained and certified in the administration of these calming solutions. We follow specific guidelines, the same used in hospital operating rooms. In addition, our doctors are also members of the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Trauma Team, with experience in working in operating rooms and handling serious cases such as facial trauma and injury. The option we recommend for you will depend on a number of factors, such as age, weight, medical history, and anxiety levels. Everyone is different, and we take a personalized approach to treatment, helping people obtain optimal results, with smiles that look great.
Nitrous Oxide
One of the more common options we provide is nitrous oxide, also referred to as laughing gas. This is administered via a mask over your nose. You inhale a gas and enter a calm and relaxed state, with little to no memory of the procedure afterward. However, you still remain conscious and able to respond to the dentist as needed. The effects can be adjusted during treatment and tend to wear off once the procedure ends, so you can drive yourself home or even return to work or school. We often provide this for kids and adults alike.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is administered via pill or liquid form, and could include medications such as valium. You again remain conscious and able to respond to the dentist and breathe on your own, but you have almost no memory of the procedure. You will take the medications before the procedure. We typically recommend avoiding food and drink for six to eight hours before the procedure, and wear loose and comfortable clothing. This is a deeper state of calm, so you will feel a bit groggy afterward and may need to have someone on hand to bring you home afterward and receive any instructions or prescriptions.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is administered to our patients intravenously, and is the deepest form of calming available. This is especially helpful for more complex oral surgery treatments, or for those with serious phobias of the dentist. An anesthesiologist will be one hand the entire time to monitor you and adjust sedation as needed. You enter a very deep state of calm with no memory of the procedure. Again, the effects will take time to wear off completely, so be sure someone is available to bring you home afterward. We will send any necessary instructions or prescriptions for medications with your person, so these can be picked up and will be ready for you to use during the healing process.
Aftercare
Aftercare involves taking any prescribed medications as recommended, and also eating soft foods and resting for a day or two. Avoid straw use and be very gentle when brushing and flossing. Each oral surgery is different, and we will provide instructions tailored to your specific case to help ensure a complication-free healing period. If you have any questions about how we use calming treatments to help our patients stay calm and comfortable, and to ensure a positive treatment experience, then contact our team today. We’re ready to help you, even if you have serious dental anxiety!
Our Team can Keep You Comfortable
We would like to help you stay comfortable and enjoy good oral health afterward. If you would like to learn more about staying comfortable during your treatment, then contact your Santa Rosa, CA, oral surgeons by calling (707)545-4625.
