Dental visits can be uncomfortable for many patients; anxiety is a big factor that keeps people from visiting the dentist, even for semi-annual checkups. Four Seasons Dental Spa is leading the way in providing care that supports patients with dental anxiety and creating a space that’s relaxing and calm. Discover how sedation dentistry in Las Vegas can help you.
Sedation Dentistry in Las Vegas, NV
At Four Seasons, we’re in the business of holistic health and smile enhancement. It’s our goal to help our patients achieve their smile goals, whether that goal is to improve oral health, correct misalignment, restore function after tooth loss, or simply to prevent diseases.
One way in which we provide superior service is to offer sedation dentistry treatment.
Sedation dentistry, also called relaxation dentistry, assists in relaxing a patient during a visit to the dentist. By using safe, effective pharmacological sedative agents, your dentist can help you achieve a greater state of relaxation during dental treatments.
The sedatives used in dentistry act on the central nervous system, making the patient less aware of external stimuli, such as sights and sounds of the dental office. Sedation maximizes the effects of anesthetic, which means less is needed.
Benefits and Types of Sedation Dentistry
Patients who find it difficult to undergo dental treatment due to anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or physical limitations can receive necessary care in a more pleasant environment with sedation dentistry. If you’ve avoided the dentist due to previous traumatic experiences, because you feel embarrassed by your teeth, or by the proximity of the dentist to their mouth, sedation can be extremely helpful.
Sedation dentistry can achieve various levels of relaxation, based on dosage and type of sedative. Patients consult with our dental anesthesiologist before their appointment, discussing their concerns as well as their medical history to help us design the best treatment plan using sedation.
Mild sedation
With mild sedation, the patient will inhale nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen through a comfortable nasal cannula throughout the treatment procedure. It’s an ideal choice because it can be done without needles. One of the benefits of nitrous oxide is that the sedative effect is quickly achieved and quickly reduced. Upon the completion of treatment, patients feel fully alert and can drive themselves home.
An oral sedative, a pill prescribed by the dentist to take about an hour before dental treatment, accomplishes mild sedation. Oral conscious sedation produces a state of relaxation in which the patient can undergo treatment without anxiety. Because oral sedatives tend to cause drowsiness, it is necessary to arrange reliable transportation to and from the treatment appointment.
During treatment, oral sedation patients are covered with a warm, thick blanket and made comfortable. A local anesthetic is also administered to numb the treatment area. Monitors are put into place to keep a watchful eye on vital signs. Oral sedation makes it possible to undergo a variety of dental treatments easily.
Moderate to deep sedation
Nitrous oxide is a form of sedation that has been used in dentistry for many decades. In early dental history, however, sedation was reserved for complex procedures. Now, with a better understanding of patient care, dentists use nitrous oxide for many varying procedures.
Intravenous, or IV sedation, is also used to achieve a deeper state of relaxation and can be ideal for complex procedures or for those who wish to complete several treatments in a single visit. Sedative medication is delivered directly into the blood via a small IV needle.
During treatment, the patient’s vital signs are constantly monitored by our dental anesthesiologist, ensuring safety as well as the desired level of sedation. Like oral sedation, IV sedation requires patients have a reliable driver to see them to and from dental appointments.
Following treatments in which sedation dentistry is incorporated, patients are advised to rest for the remainder of the day in a supervised environment. Depending on the type and level of sedation provided, and the type of treatment completed, the dentist may prescribe medication for improved comfort.
The Top Sedation Dentist in Las Vegas
At Four Seasons Dental Spa, we are equipped with the experienced staff and state-of-the-art technology to help you tend to your dental needs without anxiety. Contact us today for your visit to Four Seasons Dental Spa in Las Vegas.