Sedation Dentistry

We understand that going to the dentist may be stressful for some of our patients. If you’re nervous about your dental visit, let us know! We want you to be as comfortable as possible during your dental treatment and are pleased to offer our patients the option of comfortable, safe, and effective sedation dentistry. Patients who benefit from sedation dentistry have:

• A fear or anxiety of being at the dentist
• A hard time sitting still for long periods of time
• Apprehension about certain dental procedures

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry allows your doctor to provide a variety of dental treatments safely and comfortably for patients who experience anxiety when visiting the dentist. There are several benefits of sedation dentistry, including:

• Less fear or anxiety during treatment
• More comfort during dental procedures
• A more relaxing dental experience

Patients who have undergone a procedure using sedation dentistry will tell you it’s a simple, relaxing way to experience dentistry.

Oral Sedation (Happy Pills)

Is a light form of sedation  and is often used for patients with mild to moderate anxiety or those with longer procedures or more complex situations. Administered orally,  you remain awake or very sleepy throughout the entire procedure and are able to breathe on your own, but you will feel a great sense of relaxation. Patients typically recover from oral sedation within a few hours after the procedure is complete.

Inhaled Sedation( Laughing Gas)

Nitrous oxide,  is the most frequently used method for easing mild to moderate anxiety. Administered through a small mask that fits over your nose, it is an effective way to calm anxiety, raises your pain threshold, and may even make time seem like it’s passing quicker than usual. At the end of your appointment, you’ll resume breathing regular oxygen, and all the effects of nitrous oxide will disappear, so you can resume your normal activities immediately.

IV Sedation

The sedative drug is introduced to your body through a vein, so it goes to work more quickly. This method allows the   dentist to continually adjust the level of sedation. The medications will make you make you enter a "twilight sleep" or almost unconscious during the procedure. While you are under the anesthesia, you cannot easily be awakened until the effects of the medication wear off or are reversed with other medication. Very commonly used for wisdom teeth extraction.

IM Sedation

Intramuscular Sedation is given through an injection (normally in the shoulder) in order to achieve a deeper level of sedation over nitrous oxide alone. The specific medications are based on the particular needs of the patient and the treatment goals of the doctor. Nitrous oxide is used to supplement the sedation. This method of sedation generally produces more reliable results than the oral method and requires additional training and a special license for administration. The monitoring requirements and recovery time are similar to those of oral sedation. This type of treatment is appropriate for those over 12 years of age with mild to moderate dental needs, those who desire a more predictable sedation and those who do not take oral medications with ease.

Doctor Martin is licensed and certified by the State of Nebraska to administer all the above forms of sedation.

Understanding the range of choices that are available to relieve anxiety and discomfort can be very useful. Please contact our practice to schedule a consultation, learn more about sedation dentistry, and find out which sedation dentistry method is right for you.