Sedation Dentistry in Dawsonville, GA
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Did you know…
An overactive gag reflex, fear of needles, or a low-pain threshold
can be treated and soothed with sedation.
What can I expect at a sedation consultation?
Treatment Review
To begin, your doctor will walk you through your treatment plan and
determine if sedation is the right choice for your procedure. For more invasive or lengthy dental
procedures, specific types of sedation may be recommended or necessary. Other options are best suited
for relieving tension and anxiety.
Health Evaluation
Next, your surgeon will discuss your current health and past health
history to make sure sedation is an appropriate option for you. Some health issues may affect your
ability to be sedated with your preferred method, such as past drug addiction or the use of certain
prescription medications.
Needs & Concerns
An honest conversation with your surgeon regarding your specific needs and concerns will help determine which sedation options will work best for you. How deeply do you wish to be sedated? What is making you anxious about your procedure? Do you have a low pain threshold? Your doctor may ask a variety of questions in order to select the appropriate sedation method.
Recommendations & Options
After collecting this information, your Dawsonville oral surgeon will lay out all your available sedation options. They will also let you know of each one’s effects and instructions. With the doctor's recommendation and your input, we can help you choose the right option for your procedure.
Explore your sedation options
Laughing Gas or Minimally Inhaled Sedation
If you are nervous about an upcoming dental
procedure or appointment, but want to avoid being deeply sedated, this method of sedation is an ideal
option. To begin, your surgeon will pump a mixture of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oxygen through
a nose mask, and once you are directed to do so, you’ll start to breathe through this mask
normally.
You’ll feel less nervous, and may experience a “floaty” or “dreamy” feeling as you
begin to breathe in the laughing gas. While you may feel slightly disconnected from your surroundings,
you will remain awake and aware of what’s going on during your procedure.
One of the main
benefits of laughing gas is the minimal side effects, which wear off within a few minutes of the nose
mask being removed. Right after treatment, you can drive yourself home and get back to your day-to-day
routine without any sedative side-effects.
Oral Conscious Sedation
This method uses a strong pill or liquid
sedative that you’ll take about 30-60 minutes before your procedure. As the sedative begins to take
effect, you’ll feel tired and groggy, and you may even fall asleep during your
appointment.
Oral conscious sedation can trigger “anterograde amnesia,” a very common
occurrence that can cause you to forget much of your procedure.
Compared to nitrous oxide
sedation, oral conscious sedation has more noticeable and prolonged side effects. You will most likely
feel groggy well after your appointment, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery for at least 4-6
hours. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from our Dawsonville office if you choose
oral conscious sedation.
IV Sedation
While IV sedation uses the same medication as
oral conscious sedation, it is delivered directly into your bloodstream via an IV. This option will
take effect almost immediately after it’s introduced to your bloodstream and will sedate you more
deeply than oral conscious sedation.
Many patients fall asleep during their treatment with IV
sedation. While you may forget your procedure, you can still be woken up and respond to
commands.
After your procedure is complete, you may feel “out of it” for 4-6 hours or longer.
You will not be able to drive yourself home after your procedure, so you will need to arrange for
someone to drive you to and from our office on the day of your appointment.
General Anesthesia
One of the strongest forms of sedation is
general anesthesia. This method requires the use of a ventilator to help you breathe, and it will
render you completely unconscious — you will not feel anything or remember anything about your
procedure.
General anesthesia is usually reserved for the most invasive dental surgeries, such
as jaw surgery. Other sedation options can be used for routine dental treatments, such as tooth extractions, dental crowns, and
more.
Did you know…
Around 40% of Americans suffer from dental anxiety.
Have questions about sedation options? Find answers here.
What is sedation used for in dentistry?
Sedation is used to soothe dental anxiety and alleviate pain during procedures. Many patients suffer
from dental anxiety, which can prevent them from getting the dental care they need. If coming to the
dentist makes you feel anxious or nervous, sedation can help you feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed
during your treatment.
Sedation also helps mitigate pain and discomfort during more invasive
procedures, such as oral surgeries, tooth extractions, and dental implant placement. If you require multiple dental
procedures and need to sit still for several hours during treatment, sedation can help you feel
comfortable and calm.
Am I a good candidate for sedation dentistry?
Most patients are good candidates for sedation dentistry, but it is important to share your current
health and past health history with your dentist to make sure sedation is appropriate for you. If you
have a history of drug abuse, or are taking medications that may interfere with the sedation process,
sedation dentistry may not be a suitable option. Reach out to our team to
learn more about sedation, and to get the conversation started.
What does sedation dentistry feel like?
Each method of sedation feels different, so it depends on which option you choose. Laughing gas keeps you fully conscious and aware of your surroundings. You will feel light-headed, giggly, and relaxed while feeling less discomfort during treatment.
Oral conscious sedation and IV sedation will most likely cause you to fall asleep and forget most of your procedure. However, you will not be unconscious, and you can still be woken and respond to commands. Feeling groggy and “out of it” are common side effects.
The deepest method of sedation is general anesthesia. You will be completely unconscious and will not feel or remember anything from your procedure.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Yes. Sedation dentistry is provided by qualified professionals at our Dawsonville office who are specially trained to administer all available options. While oral conscious sedation and IV sedation have more prolonged side effects compared to laughing gas, they are still very safe. As long as you are a good candidate, sedation will have no serious risks to your health or well-being.
Did you know…
Since the late 19th
century, laughing gas has been used as a safe, effective treatment in dentistry.