Sedation Dentistry in Burke VA and Chevy Chase MD
Patients chose sedation dentistry for a number of reasons.
Patients benefit from intravenous sedation dentistry in certain circumstances. Sometimes due to moderate to severe fear (including fear of needles and injections), special needs (health and behavioral conditions), distressing memories of past dental experiences, poor response to numbing anesthetic, intolerable gag reflex, highly sensitive teeth, must complete a lot of dental treatment in a short period of time, complicated dental issues, discomfort with dental care sounds, odors, and taste, and severe self-consciousness or embarrassment about teeth and gums.
If fear and worry keeps you out of the dental chair, sedation can help. Patients who require dental care but suffer from moderate to high levels of dental anxiety may be good candidates for sedation. Using this technique, Dr. Ghannam can help you to relax so that you can finally receive the necessary treatment you need to restore your teeth and gums back to good health.
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Artisan Dental’s team is highly trained, certified, and here for you.
Sedation dentistry opens the door to the treatment you need.
Artisan Dental’s team is highly trained and here for you.
Dr. Ghannam is here to help.
There is no need to be nervous about having sedation dentistry at our practice. We are licensed by the American Dental Association, and you will find that we are both respectful and professional at all times. Sedation dentistry is closely regulated by law, and there are three sedative states at which your dentist can administer your treatment: mild sedation, moderate sedation, and deep sedation.
- Mild Sedation — Anxiolysis is the lightest form of sedation dentistry and is often used for patients with mild anxiety, longer procedures, or more complex situations. Mild sedation is usually administered orally. You remain awake or very sleepy throughout the entire procedure and are able to breathe on your own, but you will feel a great sense of relaxation. Patients typically recover from anxiolysis sedation within a few hours after the procedure is complete. Nitrous oxide inhalation (laughing gas) is another form of mild to moderate sedation that results in relaxation during treatment.
- Moderate Sedation — Used for patients with moderate dental anxiety and for patients who need longer or more complex procedures, conscious sedation often refers to the use of oral sedative medications or light IV sedation. With conscious sedation, you will remain conscious throughout your procedure (meaning you will have the ability to respond to commands and maintain your own breathing and airway), but will be in a state of deep relaxation near sleep. Patients have little to no recollection of their procedures and report a very comfortable expereince. It is recommended that patients who receive moderate conscious sedation have a parent, spouse, or friend accompany them to appointments because it can take several hours for the sedative to wear off and driving may be unsafe.
- Deep Sedation — Patients receiving deep IV sedation go between consciousness and unconsciousness during their dental procedure. Patients often have no recollection of the treatment and are unable to respond to commands even if they are awake at times during the procedure. It is recommended that patients who receive deep sedation have a parent, spouse, or friend accompany them to appointments because it can take several hours for the sedative to wear off and driving may be unsafe.
How are sedatives administered?
- Inhalation — Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is the most frequently used method for easing mild to moderate anxiety. Recovery is quick so you can resume your normal activities immediately.
- Oral — An extremely common technique for dental sedation is oral sedation. It is easy and does not require the use of needles. You will be given a prescription pill which, taken about an hour before your appointment, will have you fully relaxed by the time you arrive at our office.
Please contact our practice to schedule a consultation, learn more about sedation dentistry, and find out which sedation dentistry method may be right for you.