Sedation is not anything new to the field of dentistry, but the methods of sedation are. Many think that the only form of sedation that will work for them is the “laughing gas” method in which the dentist puts you under a controlled unconscious state, completes your needed dental procedure, then wakes you up…but that is not true. There are many types of sedation including the method that we use at Advanced Dental Center, using medicine in pill form to sedate patients.

Mild Sedation

This type of sedation works by targeting the central nervous system to relax and calm a patient that might be suffering from anxiety from a needed dental procedure. The main focus of this is to relax a patient enough to be able to follow through with needed procedures white the patient is still in a conscious and aware state. The type of  sedation you will experience at Advanced Dental Center is considered a mild form of sedation. What is classified as mild sedation you may ask? Let me explain.

With multiple types of sedation comes multiple classifications of sedation; mild, moderate, and deep sedation. Mild sedation is a type  of sedation in which the patient has reduced anxiety and increased relaxation and calmness, but is able to respond to verbal or physical stimulation. In other words, the patient has been calmed and relaxed to a point where the anxiety they may have experienced leading up to a dental procedure has been reduced or completely relieved. Deep sedation is the type of sedation you would experience from an oral surgeon who is conducting major surgery, such as bone grafting or severe wisdom teeth extractions. This type of sedation is classified as sedation where the patient could exhibit little or no signs of consciousness and many types do not respond to any type of stimulation.

Who is a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

Most patients are a candidate for this type of sedation dentistry. If you fall into or have experienced the following categories, you are a potential candidate:

• Have anxiety about a dental procedure
• Have had previous bad experiences with a dentist
• Do not like needles or needles around your mouth
• Have difficulty getting numb from anesthetics
• Have a strong gag reflex, making dental procedures uncomfortable
• Need oral surgery
• Interested in dental implant surgery
• Need complex dental work
• Interested in smile makeovers or improved cosmetic appeal of smile

Many patients that are not candidates for sedation dentistry are those that are allergic to certain types of sedative medicines. Also, doctors will stray away from prescribing sedative medicines to small children. If you have a very young child that needs to be sedated, and they do not qualify for Advanced Dental’s type of sedation, you may see a pediatric dentist that specializes in major dental procedures on children.

Pros to Mild Sedation at Advanced Dental Center

The positive to this method is that the patient is never completely unconscious, although the results of the sedation are very similar. This method also requires the patient to be accompanied by another individual that will transport the patient to and from the facility. Similar to that of the “laughing gas” method, many patients do not remember the procedure being completed, making hard and otherwise painful or scary procedures possible. If you are going to use this type of sedation, you will be prescribed a type of medicine that will relax you enough to have your needed procedure completed.  You will take a pill before  your appointment as well as one inside the facility, making it possible for your dentist to complete your needed procedure without enduring the pain or fear accompanied by many of the major dental procedures today. It will also keep you sedated for some time after your procedure to avoid post-procedure pain or discomfort, allowing your body to start to recover before you become completely aware.

This method also tends to be more price effective than in-office “laughing gas” sedation. The day before your appointment, our dental assistants will call in your prescribed medicine to the pharmacy of your choice. You will just need to pick it up and follow the doctor’s instructions on when to take the medicine.  Another positive to this type of sedation is that it has been proven to be healthier and safer for a vast majority of patients.

How to Get An Appointment?

The first step is to call our office to set up a new patient visit. Our expert staff will find a time that is convenient for you, that also gives our doctors enough time to sit down with you and figure out not only your needs, but what you want to accomplish with your visits. At Advanced Dental Center, we pride ourselves in the fact that our patients are not moved into our office on an assembly line, but are treated like individuals that have specific wants and needs. Call our office today at (843) 629-8000 to begin the path in improving your smile and comfort.