Does your heart start pounding at the thought of a dental visit?
Have you put off your regular visits for years because you are nervous about treatment?
Do you feel like you are always uncomfortable in the dental chair?
If so, you may be a candidate for dental sedation. Very few people actually look forward to dental visits, but when anxiety and avoidance start to interfere with your health, sometimes sedation can help you take better care of yourself. Even if you do not suffer from a dental phobia, per se, you may benefit from the greater comfort sedation can bring. Sedation can be very helpful if you are preparing for a more extensive procedure, such as implant surgery.
Can you imagine a dental visit:
- With no discomfort or squirmy feeling in the dental chair?
- With no gagging?
- So relaxing that you fall asleep naturally?
- With no stressful feelings as the doctor and staff move their hands around in your mouth?
- Goes by so fast, you’ll immediately ask “is it over already?”
If these sound like an appointment you’d enjoy, ask Dr. Eshom whether you are a candidate for this service. Dr. David Eshom of San Diego offers four types of sedation for varying levels of anxiety. At your consultation, he will evaluate your needs and personal preferences to determine the right type of sedation for you. For deeper levels of sedation (sometimes called sleep dentistry), he works with an anesthesiologist to ensure your safety and well being.
Compassionate Care Through Sedation Dentistry
Dental anxiety can take a huge toll on your life. Every time you visit the dentist, you may experience an elevated heart rate, spinning thoughts, insomnia, and/or shortness of breath. That kind of stress can take a toll on your health. With Dr. Eshom, you don’t need to fear discomfort, pain, or shame. He understands that dental anxiety is not your fault. We offer non-judgmental treatment, focused on your comfort and overall well being. Sedation is a great resource for compassionate care, because it can give you peace of mind and allow you to relax as you receive the care you need.
Sedation Dentistry Options
Nitrous Oxide Gas
This colorless, odorless gas is administered through a face mask and will induce a feeling of deep relaxation without putting you to sleep. You may even feel slightly euphoric and giggly, and there may be a tingling or warming sensation in your limbs.
Nitrous oxide has few side effects offers a number of benefits. You will be able to continue to communicate during your treatment and your practitioner can adjust the level of medication you receive during the procedure. In addition, nitrous oxide wears off quickly, so you can usually drive yourself home from your appointment. Finally, gentle laughing gas is suitable for patients of all ages, even children.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral medications can provide mild to moderate sedation, depending on your needs. Dr. Eshom will provide a prescription for gentle anti-anxiety pills, which you will take at home prior to your treatment. You may take an additional dose when you come into our office. The medications can have different effects, depending on the amount you take. In some cases, they may simply take the edge off of your nerves. If you take a larger dose, it can induce a twilight sleep.
In this state, you will be able to answer questions, but you will not really be aware of what is going on during your treatment. Oral conscious sedation will leave your body slowly. Therefore, you should find someone to drive you home from your appointment, even if you take a smaller dose.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is another option that will induce a twilight sleep. For patients who wish to have no awareness or memory of dental treatments, this is often the appropriate choice. Dr. Eshom works with an experienced anesthesiologist to ensure your safety throughout your entire visit. This specialist will deliver sedatives directly into your blood stream, creating a deeper level of relaxation. IV sedation will take effect more quickly than oral medications, and it will typically induce a deeper twilight sleep.
One of the biggest benefits of IV sedation is that Dr. Eshom can adjust the level of medication during your treatment. That way, you will stay safe and comfortable throughout the entire procedure. As with oral conscious sedation, you should arrange for a ride home from your appointment.
General Anesthesia
We can also use IV sedation to administer general anesthesia. With higher dosages of medication, you will remain completely asleep through the duration of your treatment. Your anesthesiologist will monitor your heart rate and blood pressure during your procedure and reduce the amount of medication, if needed. General anesthesia involves more risks than other types of sedation. Therefore, we typically reserve it for the most anxious patients. Rest assured, however, that when you receive anesthesia at our practice, you will be in experienced, skilled hands. Risks will be minimal.
The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
If you have an intense fear of the dentist, you may have neglected your routine visits for years. Many patients in this situation come to us with advanced decay, gum disease, and other problems. This means they often need several treatments, or longer treatments, to get back into a state of good oral health. Dental sedation will allow you to get back on track without undue stress. Many find it much easier to schedule follow-up visits and biannual appointments. Additionally, our various sedation options allow patients to undergo oral surgery (implant placement, tooth extractions, and similar procedures) with minimal discomfort.
Dr. Eshom is highly experienced with sedation dentistry, and he works with highly qualified anesthesiologists to ensure your safety. Our goal is to help you stay safe, comfortable, and calm throughout your time at our practice; sedation lets us do this.
Enjoy Safe, Effective Sedation Today
Contact our office online to learn more about dental sedation and how it can benefit you. Or, call us today at (858) 455-9151.