By using relative, oral, and IV sedation, Dr. Atcha can perform implant procedures for patients with dental phobias and high degrees of anxiety. Through controlled doses of medication, surgical treatments such as the all-on-four implants and same-day implants can be performed.
What is sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is a general term describing dental treatment performed while you are sedated for your comfort. The goal of sedation dentistry is to reduce your fear and anxiety about dental care while making it easier on both you and the dentist to complete necessary procedures in one visit. Dr. Atcha offers many types of sedation options to meet the needs of each patient.
Sedation dentistry proves beneficial to patients who are afraid of dental treatments for any reason. Some of the most common reasons for dental anxiety include a fear of needles, fear of sounds and smells in the dental office, or a history of bad experiences with dental treatment.
Am I a candidate for sedation dentistry?
Before receiving dental sedation, Dr. Atcha will evaluate your overall health to ensure dental sedation can be delivered safely. Special considerations may be needed if you’ve been diagnosed with certain health conditions, so it’s important to review your medical history and medications with Dr. Atcha. He talks through each option to ensure you both decide on what you’re most comfortable with.
What medications are available?
New Teeth Chicago Dental offers several different medications that relax a patient during dental treatment. These include:
Inhaled Sedation (Nitrous Oxide)
Inhaled sedation, sometimes known as relative analgesia or laughing gas, uses nitrous oxide to provide sedation. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, non-flammable gas that has been used for many years to relax and sedate patients before dental treatment. It is administered through a nasal mask which covers your nose only. You will still be conscious and able to respond to verbal commands during sedation, however you will not experience feelings of anxiety. After the procedure is over, you will quickly wake up and be able to return home with no residual effects since nitrous oxide is only effective when being directly inhaled.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is a type of medication that is often used to help you feel relaxed, sleepy, or completely “out of it.” This type of sedation is typically given as a pill which you will need to take one hour before your treatment begins. In some cases, you may also need to take a pill the night before your procedure. You should plan on having someone drive you to and from your dental appointment and avoid driving yourself for the rest of the day. People who have serious medical conditions or who take certain medications may not be able to receive this type of sedation.
Intravenous (IV) Sedation
Intravenous sedation, otherwise known as “twilight sleep” or an IV, is often recommended for patients who need more extensive dental treatment. The medication will be administered by Dr. Atcha through a small needle placed in your arm during your procedure. This allows Dr. Atcha to carefully control the amount of sedatives you receive. IV sedation can be used to obtain a moderate level of sedation or it can also be used to administer general anesthesia to render you unconscious.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Sedation dentistry is very safe when administered by a trained professional, such as Dr. Atcha. Sedation dentistry proves especially beneficial for people afraid of dental procedures and New Teeth Chicago Dental has completed hundreds of sedation cases without any complications. Dr. Atcha is highly qualified to provide patients with specific instructions to ensure they don’t experience any unnecessary complications.
The risks of dental sedation are low, however the risks may be greater for certain patients under certain circumstances. We encourage you to learn more about these risks and discuss them with Dr. Atcha during your consultation to determine if sedation dentistry is right for you.
What should I expect on the day of my dental sedation?
We offer several different forms of sedation which you will discuss with Dr. Atcha during your consultation visit. If it is determined that you would benefit from dental sedation, your medical history will be reviewed and Dr. Atcha will provide you with specific instructions to follow in the days leading up to your appointment. These instructions may include not smoking, stopping certain medications or supplements, and avoiding caffeine or alcohol. You may also need to take certain medications the night before your appointment. Finally, most patients will need to fast the night before, meaning that you cannot eat or drink after midnight.
On the day of your appointment, we suggest that patients dress in comfortable clothing with short sleeves and well-fitting, close-toed shoes. This is to maintain your comfort and decrease the risk of tripping after the procedure. We also ask that you leave all jewelry, watches, or contact lenses at home. Finally, you will need to take any sedative medications as directed the morning of your procedure. You may sip up to 2 oz. of water ONLY to take medications, unless otherwise instructed.
How do patients feel after sedation?
Many patients report not having much memory of their procedure after the sedation wears off. Depending on the medication used, the patient may feel groggy after the procedure. The exception is in patients who use inhaled sedation. Since nitrous oxide is only effective when being directly inhaled, most patients are able to drive after their procedure and do not experience prolonged grogginess.
Oral and IV sedation both generally tend to cause varying levels of grogginess after the procedure. Because of the lasting effects after oral or IV sedation you will need someone to drive you to and from your dental appointment and should not drive yourself for the rest of the day. After treatment is over, it usually takes a few hours until you are fully awake and alert again. You may feel some grogginess that evening or the next day, but many patients wake up feeling absolutely fine.
How long does dental sedation last?
The duration of dental sedation can vary depending on the type of sedation used. Here are some common forms of dental sedation and their approximate durations:
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas): Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative administered through a mask placed over the nose. Its effects are generally short-lived, and the sedation wears off quickly once the gas supply is stopped. The recovery time is typically brief, and patients can usually resume their normal activities soon after the procedure.
- Oral sedation: Oral sedation involves taking a prescribed medication before the dental procedure to induce a relaxed state. The duration of oral sedation can vary based on the specific medication used and the individual’s metabolism. Generally, the effects can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, with some residual drowsiness persisting for a longer time. Patients often require someone to drive them home after the procedure and may need to rest for the remainder of the day.
- Intravenous (IV) sedation: IV sedation involves administering sedative medications directly into the bloodstream through a vein. The duration of IV sedation depends on the medications used and the dosage administered. The effects of IV sedation can range from mild to deep sedation, with a longer recovery time compared to nitrous oxide or oral sedation. The sedative effects can last several hours, and patients may experience grogginess and drowsiness afterward. It is crucial to have someone accompany the patient and provide transportation after the procedure.
It’s important to note that the specific duration of dental sedation can vary from person to person based on factors such as individual metabolism, the dosage administered, and the length and complexity of the dental procedure. The dentist or oral surgeon will evaluate your specific case and provide you with detailed information about the expected duration of sedation based on the chosen method.
You don’t have to let your dental anxiety get in the way of staying on top of your dental health. Call or schedule your dental procedure online with the comfort of sedation dentistry available to you at New Teeth Chicago Dental.