If you are seeking sedation dentistry in Lakewood, Colorado, contact Mile High Smiles today. Our professional staff will explain the pros and cons and allow you to make an education decision. As the top Lakewood, Colorado family dentist, Dr. Brian Levitin is confident he can assist you in alleviating any dental concerns you may have.
Sedation dentistry provides patients with a relaxing and anxiety-free treatment option. For people who are scared of the dentist or potential discomfort of a dental treatment, sedation can help mitigate the impact of their dental phobia. This is critical because a fear of going to the dentist can have a real and lasting negative impact on your health. Neglecting to receive necessary, routine dental care can exacerbate potential problems and allow them to worsen unabatedly. You should never let dental phobia compromise the your health.
Once you’ve experienced sedation dentistry, you’ll probably never be afraid to go to the dentist again.
You’ll be sedated just enough to be unaware of the treatment, as if you were relaxing. You’ll wake up refreshed, with little or no memory of what was accomplished. Because you are completely comfortable, we can do years of dental treatments in as little as one or two visits. We can replace crowns or dentures, restore sore gums to good health, whiten yellow or stained teeth, fix a chipped tooth, and more. People with very busy schedules can get the dental care they need, easily and quickly.
Imagine being able to smile with confidence and chew your food without pain.
No wonder so many patients say: “Thank you. Sedation dentistry changed my life.”
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry refers to providing the dental patient with a sedative to establish a calm and easy state. Sedative drugs can include tranquillizers, depressants, anti-anxiety medications, nitrous oxide and more. Oral sedation is the most common technique. Patients enjoy such a comfortable experience that many do not even remember their visit.
Who It’s For
People Who Have…
- High fear
- Traumatic dental experiences
- Difficulty getting numb
- A bad gag reflex
- Very sensitive teeth
- Complex dental problems
- Limited time to complete dental care
People who…
- Hate needles and shots
- Hate the noises, smells and taste associated with dental care
How Does Sedation Dentistry Work?
When you arrive in our office, you will be escorted into the comfort room, covered with a thick, warm blanket and placed on a monitor to watch your vital signs. Then we will give you a pill to take with some water. After you are comfortable, the experienced clinical team will take care of your dental needs.
When your treatment is completed, your companion will return you home to finish your comfortable, relaxing day.
Sedation Dentistry Side Effects
Many patients ask us whether sedation dentistry comes with any side effects. The good news that most patients do not experience any side effects from sedation dentistry. However, some may feel a bit sleepy and groggy once the treatment has been completed. Others may face a “dry mouth” sensation or temporary headache or lightheadedness.
Sedation dentistry differs from general anesthesia because it does not “knock patients out.” Instead, it puts them in a completely relaxed state of mind. This is incredibly helpful for Dr. Levitin as it still allows him to give patients verbal commands so he doesn’t have to forcefully move their head back or open their mouth. Since patients who undergo sedation dentistry often feel entirely at ease, they may drift off and are unlikely to remember the details of the dental procedure.
Fortunately, there are rarely side effects of sedation dentistry and patients who do experience them can expect them to wear off quickly. Almost all of our patients experience what we consider a good side effect: no memory of the dental procedure even taking place.
It is important to note that sedation is not a one-dose-fits-all process. Here at Mile High Smiles, we take a number of factors into account to personalize each patient’s dosage and ensure a safe and comfortable procedure. Factors such as a patient’s age, weight, health, and medical history will all be considered.
We encourage patients to notify us if they have any type of medical conditions so that we can evaluate their medical history and determine whether they are a good candidate for sedation dentistry. It’s also a good idea for them to disclose any over-the-counter and prescription medications they are taking. In rare cases, patients are not eligible for it and our dentist will recommend an alternative option.
Sedation Dentistry Benefits
Sedation dentistry can be so painless and pleasant that patients often feel as if their dental procedure only lasted a few minutes, even when it may have taken hours to complete. This is an incredible resource for complex and time-consuming treatment programs, such as extensive rebuilding procedures or smile makeovers. These sorts of dental care procedures usually require multiple visits to complete. With dental sedation, the dentist is able to work on the procedure to completion over the course of fewer, longer appointments.
If you are nervous about improving the appearance of your smile or addressing pressing dental health concerns, sedation dentistry could be just the ticket for a healthier and happier tomorrow. It will increase your comfort during treatment processes, so that you can achieve the smile of your dreams. Additionally, once you internalize that there is nothing to fear about going to the dentist, receiving your recommended routine care becomes a breeze. Consistently attending regularly schedule dentist appointments decreases the likelihood you will require drastic dental treatments. This is fantastic for your long-term wellbeing, as preventive medicine is crucial for oral health.
Facts About Sedation Dentistry
- It Really Works! You really can relax through your dental appointment.
- It Is Safe! We will give you a small pill prior to treatment, no intravenous tubes or needles.
- You will have little or no memory of the experience. You probably won’t remember any sounds or smells.
- You will relax for up to five or six hours after taking the pill. The time you are relaxing will vary depending on your needed treatment.
- Complex dental treatments that often require six to eight appointments, can be done in as little as one or two! All while you relax.
- People who have difficulty getting numb will find that relax dentistry eliminates this problem.
- Sedation dentistry is a safe way to reduce the fatigue of extended dental treatment requiring long visits.
