Sedation Dentistry uses medication to help you relax for a better dental care experience. Sedation dentistry helps people who have avoided their necessary dental care due to fear and anxiety, as well as patients who are gaggers.
Sedation dentistry offers many benefits to meet your individual needs. Sedation allows your body to relax more completely. This increases the effectiveness of local anesthesia. Sedation dentistry reduces the sensation of passing time. This can be very useful if you need complex or multiple treatments in a single sitting. It also prevents your muscles from stiffening or becoming sore due to spending extended periods of time in one position.
In every case, your sedation is closely monitored by experienced dental professionals who ensure your safety and comfort.
IV Conscious Sedation
If going to the dentist stresses you out, or if you have avoided dental care altogether because of fear or anxiety, then IV (Intravenous) Conscious Sedation at Kaggen Dental Care is the answer for you. Medications given through an IV line put you in a state of relaxation, just short of sleep, where you are unaware that dental work is being done. Dr. Kaggen can comfortably correct yeas of neglect, often in just one appointment, with little or no memory of the visit.
You are a good candidate for IV sedation if you have fear or anxiety or have had a prior bad dental experience. If you have extreme difficulty with dental treatment due to gagging, IV sedation can allow you to accomplish treatment easily. If you have put treatment off due to time constraints, you can utilize IV sedation to accomplish complex treatment in one or two visits. You will not notice any of the sights and sounds that cause anxiety.
The procedure is very safe. Dr. Kaggen and his team continually monitor your vital signs, including using a state-of-the-art technique called capnography, a monitoring procedure done in hospital operating rooms.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous Oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is a mild dental sedation medication. Once inhaled, it induces a state of mild relaxation. It also reduces sensitivity to pain. Nitrous Oxide is safe for virtually every patient, regardless of age. Following treatment, oxygen is used to neutralize the effects of nitrous oxide. Once this is complete, you will be fully alert and able to drive yourself home.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral Conscious Sedation, or OCS, provides a stronger level of sedation than Nitrous Oxide. Many patients prefer to use OCS for the deeper relaxation it provides. Though you are still able to stand, walk, or answer questions, you remain in a calm and drowsy state throughout the treatment. With OCS, many patients have found they have little memory of the procedure after the fact. For patients with dental anxiety, this can be a great benefit.
Unlike with Nitrous Oxide, if you choose Oral Conscious or IV Sedation, you will need someone to provide your transportation on the day of your procedure. While there are no lingering aftereffects, the sedative effects of these options can take up to 24 hours to fully diminish.
