Sedation
- Nitrous Oxide-Comomonly known as laughing gas. It is administered through a nasal mask and it has a rapid onset. since it is a gas, there are no effects after the gas is stopped at the end of the procedure. Therefore, patients are able to function normally without any side effects; including driving after their dental procedure. This is a wonderful level of sedation for those patients who have a slight fear or anxiety.
- Oral Sedation- Commonly referred as the "Happy Pill", oral sedation is where the patient is given a sedative-hypnotic drug just before their dental appointment. The most common drug is Triazolam (Halcion). It takes approximately 25-30 minutes for it to take effect so we will need you to come to your appointment early. With oral sedation, you will need a driver to and from their dental appointment and you cannot drive for the remainder of the day. Oral sedation works well for patients that have a mild to moderate level of fear and anxiety. The level of relaxation varies from one person to the next. After treatment is completed, you should not return to work for the remainder of the day.
- I.V. sedation-Also known as "Conscious Sedation" helps produce a noticeable reduction or absence of anxiety during treatment. Patients have very little or no recollections of the root canal treatment. This is a safe and comfortable procedure for patients who are hard to numb, claustrophobic, nervous, suffer from T.M.J. or who gag easily. Patients who chose I.V. sedation will need to have a driver to and from their dental appointment and will not be able to drive or return to work.