Dr. Paul Erben is able to provide sedation dentistry.
Sometimes referred to as “comfortable” or “relaxation” dentistry, the terms describe the feelings most patients experience during their oral sedation appointments. The purpose of oral sedation is to allow a dentist to work more effectively by helping a patient become as comfortable as possible with the patient remembering little to nothing of their time in the dental chair by the next day. This is accomplished through the use of sedative medications administered orally and sublingually. A consultation appointment is needed so the patient and dentist can discuss all the sedation procedures.
Which patients benefit the most from oral sedation?
Oral sedation dentistry can benefit a wide range of patients, including people with:
- High dental anxiety and fear
- A severe gag reflex
- Time constraints – those who need to get more dentistry done in fewer visits
- Chronic or acute jaw soreness
- Physical limitations such as back and neck problems
- Difficulty getting numb
- A desire to have dentistry done comfortably while they are fully relaxed
Keep in mind: A patient cannot drive to the appointment, or consume alcohol for a period of 24 hours after the appointment. This requires the patient to have an escort who must be a responsible adult.
Please contact us if you are interested in oral sedation so we can discuss this option with you further.
We’ll give you a prescription for a sedative to take the night before your first appointment to guarantee a good night’s sleep and to make sure you wake up relaxed. Oral sedation is a popular treatment option for many people because it does not require the use of additional needles. Medications can be swallowed whole and/or crushed and administered by your dentist sublingually (under the tongue). Medications given sublingually are absorbed into the bloodstream quicker, so it is a preferred option by many dentists. Both methods are safe and effective.
Your companion will bring you to the office. Additional medications may be provided to ensure your comfort. Your experienced sedation team will monitor you throughout your entire visit. Appropriately trained dentists can perform a variety of protocols customized to your particular physiological and pharmacological needs. The medications are safe and have been used for decades. In fact, you’ve probably seen or heard some of their names before. Several have amnesic properties, meaning that you remember little to nothing of your time in the dental chair. While these methods and medications cannot make fear magically disappear, they can give you the confidence and peace-of-mind to experience dental procedures in a whole new way. Hours pass like mere minutes and more dentistry can be performed in a single visit because the dentist is able to work more efficiently.
In addition to providing your sedation dentist with a complete health history, you will need to choose a companion to drive you to and from your sedation appointment. You should not eat or drink six hours prior to your appointment unless otherwise directed by your dentist. Your health history can effect your before and after care plans, especially for diabetics and smokers, so make sure your dentist knows about any medical conditions your may have. The remainder of the day should be taken off for you to recover. Be sure to stay hydrated and drink lots of fluids. You should not drive, operate heavy machinery or make important decisions for 24 hours.