Don’t Let Anxiety Impact Your Oral Health
Glenview dentists Dr. Drew Gripentrog and Dr. Jason Rogers at Gallery Park Dental want to help our patients get the quality dental care they deserve without the anxiety, so we offer a range of sedation dentistry options.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
Whether it's caused by a bad experience at the dentist or just general anxiety at the thought of having dental work done, we understand how fear can make it a challenge to receive necessary dental care. At Gallery Park Dental, we are skilled in administering the right sedation option to put patients at ease during dental treatment.
Our options range from mild nitrous sedation to a more moderate IV sedation. We have one year of advanced dental training in a hospital setting and are certified to provide in-office IV sedation.
The safety and well-being of our patients are our top priority, and we have the training and skills to provide every patient with a superior dental experience with sedation dentistry.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide is administered in a gas form, which is inhaled through a mask that fits over the nose. This gas will help patients feel relaxed and calm and can even create a state of euphoria.
This form of sedation is perfect for those who just want help to relax during their dental procedure, those who need the ability to get themselves to and from their dental appointment without assistance, and those who simply want a short-term sedation option.
The nitrous oxide treatment will begin shortly before the procedure starts, and the flow of gas is constantly monitored to ensure patient safety. Nitrous oxide leaves the body quickly, leaving patients alert and able to drive home without assistance.
IV Sedation
For extreme cases of dental fear or procedures that can be uncomfortable for patients, Gallery Park Dental offers IV sedation. Both of our doctors are certified to perform IV sedation in our Glenview dental office so that we can offer the highest level of dental care and comfort.
Despite what many people think, dental IV sedation does not cause unconsciousness. Patients remain conscious during their procedure and can respond to the dentist, but will be in a deeply relaxed state where they are not bothered by what is happening.
IV sedation also causes an amnesia effect from shortly after the drug is administered until it wears off. This makes it feel like only a short amount of time has passed, and most patients remember nothing about their appointment.
Oral Conscious Sedation
For a higher level of mild sedation, we offer oral conscious sedation. This takes the form of an oral sedative prescribed before the procedure. The pill is taken about an hour before the dental appointment, so patients who choose this sedation option will need someone to drive them to and from the appointment.
Oral sedatives bring about a deeply relaxed feeling. The appointment may feel much faster than it is, and many patients don't even remember the procedure later. However, patients remain fully conscious and able to communicate with and respond to the dentist during their procedure.
Oral conscious sedation works well for those who have a higher level of dental anxiety and for busy patients who would like to have multiple procedures done in the same appointment. At Gallery Park Dental, we can offer several treatments in a single sitting with oral conscious sedation, without compromising patient comfort.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
At Gallery Park Dental, we care about your experience and want you to feel comfortable. The benefits of Sedation Dentistry include:
- Feel calm and relaxed during your dental visit.
- Take care of complex procedures in a single visit.
- Catch up on years of putting off dental visits.
- A licensed nurse anesthetist administers the IV sedation.
- Depth of sleep is monitored and tailored to your needs. You’ll awaken alert and ready to go on with your day.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
As with any sedation procedure, there are always some risks involved. However, these risks can be minimized by experienced dentists like Dr. Gripentrog and Dr. Rogers.
They have the proper education, certification, and permits to use sedation as a part of their practice. When proper steps are taken, sedation dentistry is considered safe to use—even for children!
Who Is a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Not everyone is a candidate for dental sedation. Risks that could lead to complications include certain medications, obstructive sleep apnea, heart conditions, or weight.
At your appointment, our team will help you determine whether sedation is right for you.