Sedation

Sedation dentistry is ideal for patients with:

• Negative past dental experiences
• General dental fear or anxiety (dental phobia)
• Fear of dental tools like the drill
• Fear of pain, blood, or needles
• Bad gag reflex
• Trouble getting numb with anesthesia
• Small mouth or jaw pain (TMJ)
• Physical disability
• Needing extensive dental work

1. Nitrous Oxide: Nitrous oxide is commonly known as laughing gas, and is the lightest and most commonly used form of sedation. Nitrous comes in the form of a gas mixed with oxygen that you breathe through a small face mask at the start of your appointment.
   
   You will quickly start to relax and your worries will melt away—you might even get the giggles. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly, only a few minutes after breathing normally, so you should be able to drive yourself home safely.
2. Oral Sedation: Oral conscious sedation comes in the form of a prescription sedative that Dr. Bartz will prescribe and you will take about an hour before your appointment. Oral sedation produces a heavier sedative effect than nitrous oxide and is recommended for patients with moderate anxiety. With oral sedation, you will drift into a pleasant, waking dreamlike state.
   
   Sedation does produce some amnesic effects so although you will be conscious, the details of your appointment will be fuzzy, and it will be over before you know it. With oral sedation, you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment for your safety and have someone stay with you until the effects wear off.
3. IV Sedation: IV sedation is the heaviest form of sedation and is recommended for patients with severe anxiety or other prohibitive issues, or patients receiving extensive dental work or dental surgery. IV sedation, as the name implies, is administered intravenously so the effects can be felt almost immediately.
   
   IV sedation is not the same as general anesthesia, and although you will not remember the details of your appointment, you will remain generally conscious and able to respond to the doctor, and breathe on your own. You should have someone drive you to and from your appointment and stay with you while the effects wear off.