Patients who benefit from sedation dentistry typically are young uncooperative children who need extensive treatment.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry allows your doctor to provide a variety of dental treatments safely and comfortably for patients who experience anxiety when visiting the dentist. There are several benefits of sedation dentistry, including:

• No memory of undergoing the procedure
• No sense of time while under sedation
• No sense of smell or sound
• No fear or anxiety during treatment

Sedation

Anxiolysis is the lightest form of sedation dentistry and is often used for patients with anxiety, longer procedures or more complex situations. It is usually administered orally. the patient remains awake or very sleepy throughout the entire procedure and is able to breathe on his/her own, but will feel a great sense of relaxation. Patients typically recover from anxiolysis sedation within a few hours after the procedure is complete. Nitrous oxide inhalation (laughing gas) is another form of mild to moderate sedation where the patient is very relaxed during treatment.

How are sedatives administered?

• Inhalation — Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is the most frequently used method for easing mild to moderate anxiety. Recovery is quick so you can resume your normal activities immediately.
• Oral — An extremely common technique for dental sedation is oral sedation. It is easy and does not require the use of needles. You will be given a prescription which we will administer to your child aproximately one hour before treatment.

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