Sedation Dentist Fort Lauderdale, FL
If you’re concerned about pain or experience surgical anxiety, there are many anesthesia options to choose from. Our doctors are specially trained to safely administer many forms of IV anesthesia and sedation.
Fear of visiting the dentist is one of the most common types of phobias. Fortunately, sedation dentistry can help put you at ease, from having your teeth cleaned or getting a filling, to more serious dental procedures. Our Coral Ridge Smile dentists explain how sedation dentistry can help you soothe your dental anxieties.
About IV Sedation and General Anesthesia
General anesthesia puts the patient to sleep, allowing them to wake up when the procedure is over. During this type of anesthesia, your vital signs will be closely monitored. A designated driver is required to take the patient home after the procedure.
Does sedation helps reduce stress
Your sedation dentist will help you relax during your visit by offering oral, inhaled or intravenous medications that will relieve your feelings of anxiety and help you feel calm during your examination or treatment.
Pain won't be an issue
Although many people who have dental phobia say that they're afraid of the dentist, what most are actually afraid of is experiencing pain. Whether you had a bad experience at the dentist when you were young, or your phobia is more recent, sedation will not only help you feel more relaxed, but will also increase your tolerance to pain. In fact, less anesthesia may be needed when you're under sedation.
You won't need to return as frequently
Often when a patient has a dental phobia, only a small amount of work can be done in one visit before they become overwhelmed. A visit that normally takes an hour may have to be broken up into two or three shorter visits. When you take advantage of sedation dentistry, you'll be able to handle that hour-long appointment and won't need to return to the dentist's office in Fort Lauderdale, FL until your next checkup.
What sedation is used for dentistry?
Certified sedation dentists use four types of sedation: nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas), oral sedation, IV sedation (conscious sedation), and general anesthesia. You've likely heard of these phrases used before, but you may not understand the difference.
What happens during IV sedation dentistry?
To begin, the dentist will place an IV in your arm or hand. Then, the dentist will push sedative medications through the IV into your bloodstream. The medications will quickly put you into a semi-awake state or asleep. You would be completely asleep like you would be if you were undergoing major outpatient surgery.
Do you fall asleep with IV sedation?
Although general anesthetics put you completely under, IV sedatives induce what is known as “twilight sleep.” This state means that you are not really unconscious, but you are much less aware of your surroundings and semi-awake breathing on your own. As a result, you will have no memory of the dental procedure.
Is oral sedation dentistry safe?
For the most part, sedation dentistry is a safe medication option that allows for patients to become drowsy, less anxious and, in some cases, more co-operative during dental procedures.
Can you drive after IV sedation?
Most oral surgeries and some dental implants procedures require stronger anesthesia, such as IV sedation and general anesthesia. With these types of sedation, you will need to wait a full 24 hours before you drive again.
What is the safest dental sedation?
In general, nitrous oxide is considered the least invasive and the safest sedation for most patients. Oral sedation consists of anti-anxiety medication and, for many patients, is perfectly safe. IV and sleep sedation involves being semi-conscious and asleep and therefore comes with the most possible risks.
Everything will be less scary when you take advantage of sedation
If you have a dental phobia, the sights, sounds and smells of the dentist's office can make you feel nervous and fearful. When you choose sedation, those things won't bother you. After a positive experience, you may feel a little more confident about returning for your next visit. In fact, depending on the type of sedation, you choose, you may only have a hazy memory of the visit.