Types of Sedation Dentistry

Keeping our patients comfortable and relaxed is one of Dr. Parsa T. Zadeh’s highest priorities. Dr. Zadeh offers both conscious sedation and sleep dentistry to our Beverly Hills and Los Angeles area patients. Many of our patients have questions regarding the types of sedation dentistry available, which include inhalation, intravenous and oral sedation. By going over your options, your health needs and the extent of your procedure, you and Dr. Zadeh can make an informed decision about which option can help you overcome any dental anxiety and fear of the dentist that you may have.

We also offer treatment plans that will help reduce your dental anxiety, by creating a positive working relationship and experience. Our goal is to make you, at the very least, not mind coming to the dentist. It should not be a place of fear but a place where you can relax, tune out the world for a few hours and let a trusted friend take care of you.

Inhalation Sedation

Nitrous Oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, has been a standard in sedation and painless dentistry for decades. Combined with oxygen, the gas is administered directly through the nose and has no color, smell or other properties that may cause discomfort. It is a favorite for many of our patients due to the fact that it creates a relaxed feeling, and when combined with local anesthesia or other anesthetic treatments, it renders most common procedures such as fillings, root canals, and inlays and onlays completely painless.

Nitrous oxide is harmless and has a short effective life when not being administered, so it is ideal for patients who do not want to have the heavy, groggy effects that other forms of sedation can bring. There is no need to arrange for transit or hire a cab, as you can drive yourself home after a laughing gas treatment.

Oral Sedation

For many patients, laughing gas may not be enough to ease their anxieties, or the procedure you are undergoing may be too extensive for nitrous oxide to be effectively used. When a procedure requires that the patient be calm and relaxed for extended periods of time, but perhaps not long enough to justify IV sedation, then oral sedation through the use of anti-anxiety medications prove useful for most patients.

It is important, however, to remember to arrange for transportation, as many anti-anxiety or other similar classes of drugs can leave many patients sedated and unable to drive for several hours. However, most anxiety medicines have a very short half-life, and you should be ready to go shortly after your procedure is over.

Intravenous Sedation Dentistry

Dr. Zadeh is certified by the Dental Board of California to use an IV drip, frequently called sleep dentistry. This form of sedation dentistry is used for extensive procedures, such as full-mouth reconstructions, GUMLIFTS® and dental implants. It may also be used for patients who are so terrified by dental anxiety that there are no other options. Sleep dentistry makes it possible to wake up to a brand-new smile. The patient is generally unaware of their surroundings and feels little to no pain, which makes it ideal for longer procedures. It is very important, however, that patients who are undergoing procedures that require this level of sedation arrange for transit before and after their appointment, as they will likely be in a state of heavy sedation for most of the day and will be unfit to drive.

Reframing and Anxiety Discussion

According to WebMD, 9% to 20% of Americans exhibit some level of dental phobia. Fear of pain, cost, anesthesia, loss of control and other factors make many patients afraid of going to the dentist. Dr. Zadeh has over 30 years of experience and has dealt with thousands of patients with various levels of anxiety. He has been able to ease patients’ anxieties by using basic cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and walking them through their procedures, and has made many patients who were previously afraid of the dentist begin to reframe their beliefs and feelings about the dentist. Patients who originally required IV or oral sedation to even have a cleaning may eventually require only laughing gas or no sedation at all for most minor procedures.

This technique requires an open line of communication with the doctor and creating a working relationship, but it is also one of the most highly recommended and encouraged forms of anxiety abatement as it has the lowest side effect profile and helps you deal with previous traumas and fears. You might even find yourself looking forward to the dentist!

Our dentist and team are here to make your visit as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. If you have any questions about our sedation dentistry options in Beverly Hills, California, please give us a call today at 310-273-2020 or email us.