Does the thought of having your teeth cleaned make your entire body tense with fear? Would you rather endure the agony of a toothache than step foot in a dentist’s office? You’re not alone. A lot of people are so phobic about going to the dentist that they prefer not to have any treatment.
Sedation Dentistry
There Are Options
If you have broken, missing, or painful teeth but find yourself avoiding the dentist because of fear and anxiety, oral conscious sedation may be right for you. From the mildly relaxing effects of a sedative agent to the deeply restful state that oral conscious sedation provides, Dr. Shelyan helps you to find a sedation level that makes you comfortable and relaxed during your dental treatment.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry creates an anxiety free environment in a dental office setting and during dental treatment. At Forever Smile Dental Care, Dr. Mehrshad Shelyan determines what level of sedation can help you. Whether you want to “take the edge off” or prefer dozing through your appointment (with little to no memory of your procedure), we have an option that is perfect for you.
When choosing a sedation method, it is good to know the levels of sedation that can be reached:
- Minimal sedation: This is the lowest level of sedation; you feel deeply relaxed but are awake and aware.
- Moderate sedation/conscious sedation: This is a deeper level of sedation that may cause you to slur your words and have delayed reaction times. You may not remember your treatment clearly.
- Deep sedation: This is the deepest level of conscious sedation; you may be on the edge of sleep or you may snooze, but you can still be awakened.
- General anesthesia (Major Surgeries In Hospital Setting) : You will sleep through your treatment; you’ll be unable to be awakened until after the procedure.
Types of Sedation
At Forever Smile Dental Care, we offer:
Nitrous Oxide Sedative Agent: This sedation option is administered through the inhalation of a sedative agent gas (a.k.a. laughing gas) and works well for those with mild anxiety. This is the most common form of sedation in dentistry. It’s easy to administer and wears off quickly, so patients are able to safely leave the office on their own.
Oral conscious sedation: This includes a medication that is taken orally or administered by the dentist under the tongue and provides a deeper level of relaxation than Nitrous Oxide. This form of sedation is appropriate for those with moderate or severe dental anxiety and can be combined with Nitrous Oxide. Most sedated patients do not have any memory of the appointment and sleep through it. Assistance returning home after treatment is required.
Who Can Perform Sedation Dentistry?
For the past decade, Dr. Mehrshad Shelyan has been licensed and accreditated by The Dental Board of California. California’s Dental Board carefully regulates the use of sedation techniques, so you can rest assured that you are in good hands.