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Sedation Dentistry

Your NW Calgary Choice for
Sedation Dentistry!

Do you start feeling anxiety at the mere mention of the word “dentist”? Does the thought of visiting a dental office cause you to have an anxiety attack? Have you neglected your dental health for years because of your fears? If you answered yes to any of these, you are definitely not alone! Most patients feel anxious and uneasy on some level during a dental visit. For some, however, an appointment is a highly stressful experience. So much so, that they avoid going to the dentist altogether. For particularly anxious patients, Toothville Family Dentistry has the answer for you! Sedation dentistry allows you to visit the dentist while remaining relaxed and calm.

Toothville Family Dentistry is here to help you relax through your next dental appointment. With the use of our sedation options, we’re confident that you’ll schedule what might very well be a long-overdue appointment.

Sedation Dentistry | Toothville Family Dentistry | NW Calgary | General Dentist

What is
Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry goes by several names – conscious sedation, relaxation dentistry, or oral sedation – but the effect is the same. Your pain and anxiety are kept under control through the use of medication, as you remain just below the level of consciousness during your dental procedure. Conscious sedation allows the patient to respond to questions or commands and to breathe normally, but he or she will have little or no memory of the procedure upon awakening. Because you are thoroughly relaxed and comfortable, the dentist can perform procedures that might ordinarily take years to complete in only one or two visits!

What are the Different Types of Sedation Dentistry?

There are several ways to administer the relaxing benefits of sedation dentistry:

  • Nitrous oxide – which is also commonly called ‘laughing gas,’ nitrous oxide is administered through a mask placed over your nose. The gas helps you relax, but not fall asleep. Nitrous oxide provides light sedation for anxious patients and begins to work quite quickly, usually within a few minutes. The amount of sedation can be controlled, and because the effects wear off soon after the mask is removed, many people are able to drive home after the procedure.
  • Oral Sedation – Oral sedation is the most common form of sedation dentistry. The level of sedation can range from minimal to moderate. A few hours before your procedure, you will take a pill (similar to Valium), making you drowsy but still awake. Some people do fall asleep with oral sedation but can be woken with a gentle shake.
  • IV Sedation – IV sedation is ideal for patients who wish not to be fully aware of what is happening in the dental chair. This can be for many reasons: a past traumatic experience, anxiety about dental procedures, discomfort with sitting through several dental procedures, dislike of sounds at the dental office, or the patient needs extensive dental work and IV sedation helps them get through many procedures at once. IV sedation is administered through a carefully placed thin needle into the vein. The effect is immediate and is described as “twilight sleep.” You will feel comfortable and calm and will be able to better tolerate dental procedures. Some people fall asleep, some drift in and out of sleep, and some are more or less awake. Patients are still “conscious” and can respond, but often do not recall much of the appointment after. The dentist is able to control the amount of sedation and is also able to reverse the sedation.
bkg

What to Expect with
IV Sedation Dentistry?

Prior to IV sedation, patients will need to sign an informed consent form. They also must agree to follow all pre-operative instructions, which could include not eating or drinking for 8 hours prior to the procedure, depending on what type of sedation will be used.

An escort must accompany the patient to the office, remain on-site during the procedure, and bring the patient home. This escort should remain with the patient until the medication has completely worn off.

The medication will produce a sleepy, relaxing effect. Our staff will continuously monitor vital statistics, and the patient will not be left alone while under IV sedation. Patient safety is our primary concern.

Once the procedure is completed, the medication will be turned off, and the IV removed. Patients will remain on-site until they can stand and walk normally.

Is Sedation Dentistry
Safe?

During your dental treatment, we constantly monitor your vital signs to make sure everything is normal. The doctor has been carefully trained in sedation dentistry, so there is no need for any additional worry! Many dentists around the world now use sedation dentistry because it is considered to be so safe. It allows you to remain calm, relaxed, and pain-free during your dental procedure, whatever it may be.

Toothville Family Dentistry is pleased to offer all modalities of sedation. We offer you the optimal environment to complete multiple treatments in only one or two appointments. You remain calm and relaxed while we do all the work to improve your smile! You don’t need to put off dental treatments any longer with sedation dentistry options!

We look forward to hearing from you soon. Call Toothville Family Dentistry
at (587) 755-6688 to set up a Sedation Dentistry appointment today!