Cosmetic Dentist Los Angeles Beverly Hills porcelain veneers Full Mouth Reconstruction restoration TMJ Santa Monica west Hollywood Malibu Santa Barbara Palm springs by top Celebrity dentist Anthony Mobasser.
Have you ever been afraid of going to the dentist?
Do you find that you have trouble sleeping the night before an appointment?
Have you ever wished that you could sleep through your dental appointment?
Sedation dentistry is a revolutionary new approach to conquering your preexisting fears and phobias of dentistry. And, unless you already suspect this because you belong to this group, as much as a third of the people fear going to the dentist! Now, however, through sedation dentistry, you can relax through your appointment! Many times, patients don’t even remember that they have been through a procedure! Sedation dentistry comes in 2 main forms: IV (intravenous) and inhalation.
Sedation dentistry allows you to be sedated just enough to be pain free and unaware of the treatment, as if you were relaxing the entire time. This is why it is commonly referred to as conscious sedation dentistry. So if you have sensitive teeth, a fear of dentists, bad gag reflexes, hate needles, or have limited time to spend on dental care at the dentist, sedation during dentistry may be right for you.
Why is Intravenous Sedation right for you?Intravenous sedation is the most powerful form of sedation available. This method involves using an IV line to administer a very precisely calculated dose of relaxing agents directly into your body to immediately quiet your mind. It is our preferred method of sedation and the choice most commonly made by discriminating patients who do not do well in dental chairs.
With the insertion of a very small needle into a vein on the patient’s arm or back of the hand, anesthetic agents can be delivered directly into the blood stream. Anti-anxiety sedatives (i.e. benzodiazepine) are typically used to sedate the patient.
In the event of excessively long, complex procedures, Barbiturates and/or opioids can be utilized in combination with the other compounds. However, in such events, a highly trained anesthesiologist is present for the procedure to monitor the patient.
Top 10 reasons why people ask for sedation dentistry
What are the main advantages of IV sedation?The onset of action is very rapid, and drug dosage and level of sedation can be tailored to meet the individual’s needs. This is a huge advantage compared to oral sedation, where the effects can be very unreliable. IV sedation, on the other hand, is both highly effective and highly reliable.
The maximum level of sedation which can be reached with IV is deeper than with oral or inhalation sedation. The gag reflex is hugely diminished – people receiving IV sedation rarely experience difficulty with gagging, however; if minimizing a severe gag reflex is the main objective.
Unlike General Anesthesia or Deep Sedation, conscious IV sedation doesn’t really introduce any compromises per se in terms of carrying out the actual procedures, because people are conscious and they can cooperate with instructions, and there is no airway tube involved.
Anti-anxiety medicationThis is the simplest form of sedation where you take a pill the day before your dental visit. This pill will allow you to relax a bit before the procedure but you will still need an injection of local anesthesia to numb your tooth area. Sometimes, getting over a little anxiety is all it really takes.
Choosing the right Sedation DentistToday there are many dentists promoting “sedation dentistry,” but an exact definition of the term “sedation dentist” does not exist. The local anesthesia that’s been used for decades (where the doctor injects the patient with a syringe of Novocain) could be considered “sedation,” but that’s not really the type of sedation that many people are looking for. Some people would just rather not be fully conscious when they’re in a dentist’s chair. In fact, a very common desire for a sedation dentist is based on the dental fears and phobias that many people have toward getting dental treatment, whether for minor problems or more extensive treatments, like root canal work, full mouth reconstruction, or gum disease.
Keep in mind the following issues to discuss with a sedation dentist:
Is Sedation Covered by Dental Insurance?It is very uncommon for insurance companies to cover sedation dentistry, however; in certain select cases, insurance can cover the additional cost (if, for example, treatment that could alternatively be spread over multiple visits are conducted during one visit). Intravenous sedation is usually not covered under any of the common circumstances.
Is IV Sedation safe?IV sedation is EXTREMELY safe! Specialized training is required for the operating dentist, and if certain drugs are used, an anesthesiologist must also be present. However, despire the required supervision, when carried out correctly and under proper conditions, IV sedation is even safer than localized anesthetic on its own!
However, if you are pregnant, have known allergies to benzodiazepine, are intoxicated from the ingestion of alcohol, suffer from CNS depression, or have some instances of glaucoma, IV sedation cannot be performed. Additional concerns are considered in instances of psychosis, impaired function of lung, kidney or liver organs, or advanced age.
What to do after IV Sedation:
If you are interested in sedation dentistry and are in the Los Angeles or Beverly Hills area, contact Dr. Mobasser today!
