Sedation Dentistry

Most people can manage a trip to the dentist with not much more than a little anxiety. After all, it isn’t like a picnic in the park! But for some people, going to the dentist can be very stressful. Whether this is because of a bad experience at the dentist as a child, or because of other issues, dental phobia is a fear that often makes it very difficult for some people to properly take care of their dental needs and to protect their oral health and their beautiful smile.

[Click here to see what patients say about their experience with sedation dentistry.]

Dental fears can often be very embarrassing. In addition to the pain or anguish long ignored dental problems can bring, there is a potentially high social cost to having bad breath, broken teeth and fillings, dingy stained smiles, and missing teeth.

People who avoid treatment due to excessive or unmanageable fears or anxieties, don’t get the care they want and need. They don’t have a nice or confident smile and their dental problems spiral out of control continuing to get worse. In addition to the mounting costs for this extra treatment if ignored, it can also impact you in your career. Most people in America today believe that a bad smile can hurt career opportunities.

But today the answer can be as simple as …

“TAKE A PILL”

At the Center For Dental Health, we understand that these fears are real. We believe that dealing with people’s concerns is as important as fixing their cavities and broken teeth. That’s why we offer “Sedation Dentistry.”

Sedation Dentistry is done by taking a safe sedative medication prior to dental treatment. While it doesn’t really put you to sleep (hence the reason why we don’t refer to it as “sleep dentistry”), it does produce a profound sense of relaxation and amnesia (can’t remember). Even though it has proven to be very safe, instructions must be carefully followed for “sedation dentistry” procedures, because you will definitely be sedated.

Because of this, you will be asked to have an escort – someone to bring you to the dental office and to drive you home at the conclusion of the appointment. Additionally, they will need to remain at the office waiting, or make themselves available with a cell phone or pager. Even though you will be sedated, you will be awake and responsive and very relaxed. You might be woozy or disoriented, so you cannot walk alone or unassisted.

Following your visit, you will discover that you won’t be able to remember very much about the appointment. Even though you may think you feel okay, we will insist that your escort take you home and keep an eye on you for the next few hours. We suggest that you take it easy for the rest of the day.

At The Center for Dental Health, we want to do everything we can to make your visits as pleasant as possible.

Dr. Lee Ostler and Staff

Dr. Ostler is a member of the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation