Sedation Dentistry
If you’re afraid to go to the dentist, then Healthy Smiles of California has a solution in the form of sedation dentistry. In this process, we will give you medication to sedate you, which will keep you relaxed and calm for the entire procedure, while ensuring that you remain completely pain-free. You won’t be unconscious, however, which means that you can be roused at any time, though there are multiple levels of sedation dentistry that leave the patient with different levels of awareness. Leaving the patient with no form of “hangover effect,” sedation dentistry is safe and acts quickly. And, to top it all off, patients who undergo sedation dentistry will have little to no memory of the procedure at all.The Levels of Sedation Dentistry
- Nitrous Oxide (Minimal Sedation). We’ll give you nitrous oxide (laughing gas) through a mask placed over your nose and mouth to help you relax. Because the gas wears off quickly, you’ll need to receive it steadily throughout the procedure, and you’ll be able to drive home afterwards by yourself.
- Oral sedation (Minimal-moderate). This involves taking a pill that makes you drowsy (though generally you’ll still be awake). We can increase the dosage to give you moderate sedation if necessary. While it’s possible you’ll fall asleep under this form of sedation, we can easily wake you just by shaking you gently.
- IV (Moderate Sedation). This form of sedation works more quickly since it is injected into the bloodstream, and also gives us more control over the level of sedation minute by minute.
- General Anesthesia (Deep Sedation). This is the only form of sedation dentistry that will make you sleep deeply through the entire procedure. Typically, you will receive some sort of medication an hour or so before the procedure to knock you out.
Quick and Easy
Are you too busy to regularly see the dentist? Sedation dentistry is the answer. Sedation dentistry allows us to take care of all your dental needs in just one or two visits. You won’t even have to interrupt your busy schedule. Just set aside a little time for a couple brief visits, and we’ll give you the smile you’ve always wanted quickly and painlessly.