Do you experience anxiety or fear when it comes to scheduling a dental procedure? At Oregon Wisdom Teeth, we understand and are highly experienced in treating patients with dental anxiety. Often, the most common concern from patients with dental anxiety is: will I experience pain during my dental procedure?
Fortunately, today's modern anesthesia and sedation dentistry treatments have made it possible to perform even complex surgeries right here in our Salem, OR dental office, with minimal to no patient discomfort to the patient.
Your Sedation Dentist
During his university-based hospital training, Dr. Brannen received extensive training in medical and dental aspects of anesthesia. Prior to your surgery, you can expect Dr. Brannen to provide you with a complete review and description of the specific types of anesthesia you will receive. There will also be time to ask any questions you may have, and express your concerns. We'll help relieve any uncertainty or anxiety we can, right away!
Local Anesthesia
Local anesthesia is administered during most dental procedures at Oregon Wisdom Teeth. This medication is administered as an injection designed to temporarily prevent the teeth's nerve fibers from transmitting impulses, thereby numbing the area. Local anesthesia is the only type of anesthesia that, when used alone, will completely eliminate pain. It is possible, however, to combine local anesthesia with various types of conscious sedation techniques to further reduce your awareness and anxiety with the procedure.
For patients undergoing oral surgery, we use local anesthesia that numbs the surgical area, either by itself or in combination with one or more of the following: oral pre-medication; intravenous "IV" sedation (also known as "twilight sleep" or "conscious sedation") for relaxation. In fact, many patients report that their surgeries were remarkably pain-free and anxiety-free!
Laughing Gas Sedation
Laughing gas, or inhalation sedation, is a form of light sedation and is typically offered to young patients or those with mild anxiety in the dental chair. Laughing gas is a colorless, odor-free gas that is administered through a comfortable breathing mask. During your appointment, your dentist will control the amount of gas to reach your optimum level of comfort and safety. With laughing gas sedation, you can expect to be fully relaxed while still fully awake and able to follow instructions.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation, taken in pill form, is an affordable form of mild to moderate sedation. The patient will usually take the medication a half hour to one hour prior to their dental procedure. The duration of the sedative effects will vary by patient, but in all cases, the patient must have an escort both to and from their appointment.
Intravenous (IV) Sedation
IV sedation dentistry, also known as "twilight or conscious sedation," will put you in a safe, relaxed, and comfortable state throughout your surgery, and is the most effective means of reducing awareness and anxiety for dental procedures. At Oregon Wisdom Teeth, IV sedation is administered through an intravenous line (IV), and is therefore much more predictable in terms of effectiveness due to the quick onset of action.
Although the patient is technically conscious throughout the procedure, in most cases, they will be completely unaware of the dental procedure and may experience temporary memory loss. Patients will need to arrange transportation home after their treatment with IV sedation.
Learn More About Sedation Dentistry
Ready to learn more about how sedation dentistry can give you a better experience at your next visit? Our team is here to help walk you through your sedation options and determine the best solution for your needs! Contact us today to learn more about adding sedation dentistry to your next visit to Oregon Wisdom Teeth.
