SEDATION DENTISTRY
Safe and Pain-free Dental Visits
What is Sedation Dentistry?
The levels of sedation used include:
- Minimal sedation -- you are awake but relaxed.
- Moderate sedation (formerly called "conscious sedation") -- you may slur your words when speaking and not remember much of the procedure.
- Deep sedation -- you are on the edge of consciousness but can still be awakened.
- General anesthesia -- you are completely unconscious.
Reference: WebMD
What Type of Sedation Do We Use?
At Family Dental Centre, we offer inhaled minimal sedation. This is where you breathe nitrous oxide (also known as "laughing gas"), combined with oxygen through a mask that is placed over your nose. As a result, the gas will help you relax. We control the amount of sedation you receive, and the gas generally wears off quickly.
When Is Sedation Dentistry Applied?
- have a low pain threshold
- cannot sit still in the dentist's chair
- have very sensitive teeth
- have a bad gag reflex
- need a large amount of dental work completed
Sometimes, parents are given sedation as an option for their children if they are terrified of going to the dentist or refuse to cooperate during the visit. Nitrous oxide tends to be safe in children. A small percentage of pediatric dentists are trained to give children oral sedation. Oral sedation can be safe when kept within the recommended dose for the child's age and weight. Dr. Johal is trained to administer oral sedation for children.
