IV Sedations
You are sedated … in other words, you are conscious, you breathe, swallow and are in control; however, all your anxieties about dental care are removed. As a matter of fact, most people remember very little about their visit except that all their dental work was completed while they were sedated.
- Anyone who has fears and anxiety about dental treatment of any kind.
- Anyone who has put off dental care for years because of dental anxiety.
- Anyone who wants to have all their care prepared in one day.
- Anyone who wants to be treated in a caring, and safe environment.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Drugs are given via taking a small pill to create a state of deep relaxation and amnesia. The patient is free of anxiety, looses the sense of time, and has little memory of the procedure. This is an excellent modality for an apprehensive patient for any dental procedure or a patient undergoing a surgical procedure, such as implant surgery. During the procedure the patient is continually monitored with automatic blood pressure, and oxygen saturation levels. The patient cannot drive after this procedure.
Intravenous Conscious Sedation
Drugs are given through an intravenous catheter to create a state of deep relaxation and amnesia. The patient is free of anxiety, looses the sense of time, and has no memory of the procedure. This is an excellent modality for an extremely apprehensive patient for any dental procedure or a patient undergoing a surgical procedure, such as implant surgery. During the procedure the patient is continually monitored with EKG, carbon dioxide, automatic blood pressure, and oxygen saturation levels. The patient cannot drive after this procedure. This is an in-office procedure.
A large segment of our population is apprehensive about having dental procedures performed. Through conscious sedation for a dental procedure, an apprehensive patient can be treated in a relaxed way, allowing their oral health care to be completed. Conscious sedation also allows a lower stress level to be achieved for the medically compromised patient. Drs Ochs and Dr Dourmas have completed the academic requirements and has received certification from New York State to deliver conscious IV sedation in our office.
Local Anesthesia
Some patients are so stoic they don’t even require a local anesthetic or a numbing of the gums. However, most patients do. The slightest discomfort can be easily eliminated. A topical anesthetic is first applied to numb the tissue before an injection is given. Two types of injections are available. An infiltration injection numbs or eliminates any discomfort in a localized area. A block injection will numb an entire region as is often done with the lower jaw. The numbness will last from less that an hour to several hours but will completely wear off.
Nitrous Oxide Anesthesia
A combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen is breathed through a nasal mask to give a sensation of relaxation and euphoria. Patients may also know this as “laughing gas”. The gas is odorless. It takes about three minutes to achieve a comfortable state. The patient is totally aware during this procedure and can direct the doctor, if they feel any discomfort. Nitrous oxide is completely eliminated from the patients’ system within a few minutes after the procedure, so that you are able to drive. This is a significant help for relieving mild to moderate anxiety and it helps eliminate the gag reflex. Nitrous oxide oxygen can be used for children and often eliminates the need for a local anesthetic (needle) or numbing. This can be a big help for positive management of younger patients.