Sedation Dentistry
With SSleep dentistry, we can put you and your fears to rest!
Many of us do not like going to the dentist, but for those who suffer dental phobias a trip to the dentist's office is more than just unpleasant. The fear and anxiety surrounding an appointment may be overwhelming. Some patients are so terrified that they can't even come into the building.
At Premier Dental in Vancouver, we offer several options to help patients get the treatment they need in a relaxed and comfortable state. Our doctors will work with you to ease your fears and find a sedation option that is right for you.
If your primary concern is pain, rest assured that we will make sure you are comfortable and pain free during your procedure. Local anesthesia isn't 100 percent effective on all patients. That is why it is important to see a dentist that can provide options. Here at Premier Dental, we provide many different options for anesthesia designed around comfort and function. For example, one relatively simple technique for reducing anxiety is to pre-medicate with anxiety reducing drugs. Other options include nitrous oxide (laughing gas), IV sedation to keep patients in a relaxed state through the whole procedure, and general anesthesia. General anesthesia is the most effective way to deal with dental fears and pain during a procedure. At Premier Dental we have an anesthesiologist on staff.
Dental phobia is a severe fear of the dentist that over time causes loss of teeth because of the patient's inability to go to the dentist and receive regular care. The heart of the matter is that dental phobia can rob patients of their self-esteem as they become embarrassed about the appearance of their teeth and withdraw from friends, coworkers and loved ones.
You don’t have to suffer. Call us today to discuss what sedation option is right for you.
There are four levels of sedation that we offer at our office. Inhalation (laughing gas), Oral, IV and General sedation. Below is a brief description the most effective methods.
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Oral Sedation. Common medications used for oral sedation include Valium, Xanax, and Halcion. Your dentist will prescribe medication to you prior to your appointment so that when you arrive at the office you are already relaxed and ready for your treatment.
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I.V. Sedation also known as Deep Conscious Sedation is offered by Oral Surgeons and dentists with specialized training and special certification. With this type of sedation, medications are administered directly into the blood stream. The greatest advantage of IV Sedation is that if someone is not sedated enough, the doctor can administer more medication and the effects are instantaneous. IV Sedation is not used commonly in most dental offices because of the specialized advanced training required and the requirements for certification by the State Board of Dentistry. The drugs used for IV Sedation are more effective then the same drugs taken orally. There is a more profound amnesia associated with this technique.
- General Anesthesia. This is the only type of sedation where the patient can be considered COMPLETELY ASLEEP. Throughout the nation, only a very small number of dentists have residency training, knowledge, and a license to provide patients with general anesthesia. Medications are administered through an IV and patients are monitored at all times. Patients are asleep, amnesic and stress free during procedures. Imagine having a root canal and you never feel, hear or remember anything!
Dentists must complete a residency in anesthesiology and pass periodic on site inspections to receive a permit to administer general anesthesia. We can provide all of above anesthetic modalities, depending on your INDIVIDUAL needs. As experienced dentist anesthesiologists; we will help you decide which level is best for you.
How long will you be relaxing? Will someone need to accompany you? Find out more about this process at the Sedation Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions page.
If you have a severe fear of the dentist, the most important thing is to recognize that the team at Premier Dental is ready to help you. Take the time to communicate your feelings and concerns to your dentist. Make sure the treatment plan that you and your dentist have chosen reflects your cosmetic and long term oral health goals. Most importantly, remember that it is possible for you to have all of your dental work done in one visit and in comfort. Call us today to schedule your FREE consultation.