Pain Relief & Sedation
At Strong & Healthy Smiles, our primary goal is to ensure your comfort while providing you with exceptional quality care. Many of our patients have found the varying levels of sedation we offer to be the perfect option for them. Whether you're nervous about being at the dentist and need some help relaxing, or just want your treatment completed in one or two consolidated visits, there is a sedation option for you!
- Nitrous Oxide, or “Laughing Gas”
Nitrous oxide is a mild anxiety reliever that “takes the edge off” for shorter
visits. Many of our patients choose to have nitrous oxide at their cleanings
or for simple treatments. With a quick onset and no after-effects you can
drive yourself and return to work after your visit.
- Pre-Sedation
Pre-sedation offers a slightly higher level of sedation than nitrous oxide.
You take a pill the night before and another the morning of your visit and
have an escort drive you to and from our office. Just right for short- to
medium-length visits, pre-sedation does require a full day off from work.
- Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is a combination of the above options and is perfect
for anxious patients or anyone wanting to complete overdue treatment in one
or two visits. Just like our Pre-Sedation option, you would take a pill and
have an escort drive you to our office. During your visit you will be safely
monitored by our highly trained dental team and more sedation medication will
be administered as needed. A full day off is required, but with Concious Sedation
years of dental problems can be corrected quickly and comfortably!
- IV Sedation / General Anesthesia
A new option at Strong & Healthy Smiles, dental anesthesia is available for
patients with extensive treatment planned or for those who wish to be completely
“under” during treatment. Provided by accredited dental anesthesiologist Dr.
Patrick McCarty, I.V. or general anesthesia offers little or no awareness
of the dental procedure, maximum comfort, and the highest degree of safety.
Why should you consider having sedation or dental anesthesia?
If you have to undergo prolonged or extensive treatment:
For extensive treatment such as dental implants, full-mouth restoration, multiple crowns, multiple root canals or tooth extractions, or extensive periodontal procedures, sedation offers you complete comfort while providing the dentist with excellent working conditions.
If you want to save time and money:
If you don't have time for multiple appointments, sedation makes it possible to schedule several treatments in one or two combined sessions. Fewer appointments means less cost and less time away from work or family.
If you have anxiety:
The American Dental Association reported that 10% of Americans avoid seeking dental treatment because of anxiety or apprehension. Another 15% find treatment so uncomfortable, they fail to return for follow-up procedures. As many as 70% of people with dental insurance neglect to see their dentist because of fear. With sedation, anxiety and apprehension will disappear instantly, and you will have virtually no memory of the dental treatment.
If you gag easily:
Dental anesthesia suppresses the gag reflex, permitting excellent operation conditions for the dentist. Awareness of the dental treatment during you anesthetic is essentially zero.
If you have a low pain threshold:
Everybody perceives pain differently. In some instances, the local anesthetics usually used by dentists may not provide enough numbness during the treatment to completely eliminate discomfort. With our sedation techniques, dental treatments are always pain free and hours will seem to pass like seconds.
If you have a disability:
If you have a physical disability or chronic back pain making it hard to sit in a dental chair for long periods of time, or have problems with gagging or holding still, having your dental procedure under anesthesia is the solution. Patients with heart or lung disease, who require careful monitoring during any dental procedure, would benefit greatly from the care and attention of a dentist anesthesiologist. Patients with mental disabilities often have problems cooperating with the dentist, complication the treatment, creating anxiety for both the patients and the dentist. Our sedation techniques resolve this problem, improving both safety and comfort.
