Sedation Dentistry in Calgary
Does the very thought of having your teeth cleaned make your body tense up? Would you rather suffer the pain of a toothache than visit a dentist’s office?
If so, you’re not alone. Many people have a fear of going to the dentist. However, it’s time to bid farewell to your fear of dental procedures.
At East Village Dental, our team will work with you to find a sedation solution.
Why Sedation Dentistry?
According to the American Dental Association, almost 22% of people skip their dental appointments because they fear the dentist. Our team at East Village Dental prides themselves on alleviating dental anxiety with our sedation options. Thanks to sedation dentistry, we have more solutions for helping you find peace of mind when in the dental chair.
Don’t Let Dental Anxiety Keep You From the Dentist
The problem is that when you ignore issues such as dental caries, loose or broken teeth, and other problems, you put your oral health at risk. In the end, the problem might become more complicated as time passes, which could mean that you’ll need even more extensive and expensive dental work in the future.
If you’re nervous about dentistry, then do we have good news for you!
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients to relax during their oral procedures. Sedation does not mean that you will be asleep during your appointment. In fact, patients are usually awake depending on the level of sedation used.
Dental Sedation in Calgary
Dentistry should not make you feel uneasy. If you do have dental anxiety, sedation dentistry is the right option for you! At East Village Dental, we are paving the way for IV Sedation Dentistry. It is our philosophy to help all patients achieve a comfortable dental experience.
Dental sedation in Calgary is for you if you:
- Are afraid of the dentist.
- Require multiple dental procedures as part of your treatment.
- Require a complex dental treatment, such as wisdom tooth extraction or dental implant service.
Types of Sedation Used in Dentistry:
- Minimal sedation: You are awake but relaxed.
- Moderate sedation: You may slur your words and not remember much of the procedure.
- Deep sedation: You are on the edge of consciousness but can still be awakened.
- General anesthesia: You are completely unconscious.
No matter which type of sedation you receive, you’ll also typically need a local anesthetic—numbing medication at the site where the dentist is working in the mouth—to relieve pain if the procedure causes any discomfort.
With all of those precautions, there’s no need to fear the dentist’s chair.
IV Sedation: The Gold Standard for Sedation Dentistry
IV sedation is a form of sedation dentistry in which the amount of drug given can be easily tailored to each patient.
IV sedation does not put you fully to sleep, but it does make you less aware of your surroundings. That means you can still respond to verbal commands or gentle nudging, and you will not need help breathing.
Unlike other forms of sedation that are inhaled (like laughing gas) or taken in pill form, the sedation is administered through your veins.
What Are the Benefits of IV Sedation?
- It is more predictable sedation since the dosage can be adjusted during the procedure.
- The dentist can monitor your vitals. It starts working quickly, and you feel minimal to no pain during the procedure.
- It allows for a long period of amnesia. That way, you won’t remember the majority of the procedure.
- You will be under sedation for a longer period, so our dentist can perform multiple procedures with only one appointment.
Some patients require a significant amount of sedation medication to be comfortable, while others require very little. At East Village Dental, we offer a two-drug modality, where each drug works in conjunction to improve sedation without increasing the dose.
Are You a Fit for Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is a great fit for anyone with a real fear or anxiety preventing them from going to the dentist regularly.
However, it is also appropriate for those who may:
-
- Have a bad gag reflex.
- Have very sensitive teeth.
- Have a low pain threshold.
- Be resistant to local anesthetic.
- Can’t sit still in the dentist’s chair.
- Need a large amount of dental work completed.
- Had bad experience with dental work in the past.
- Have a small mouth that becomes sore during dental work.
If you recognize yourself in any of those problem areas, consider asking our dental team about sedation dentistry.
Dental sedation can help patients get through many types of dental work, such as:
- Root canals.
- Tooth extractions.
- Dental implant surgery.
- And more.
It’s typically not offered for regular dental cleanings, X-rays, and other routine care unless dealing with an extreme case of anxiety.
How Safe Is Dental Sedation?
Although there is always a risk in getting anesthesia, it is safe when given by our experienced dentists and anesthesiologists. Our dentists will talk to you about your personal health history and help you decide if you are the right fit for sedation.
Feel free to ask us any questions you may have. We are also happy to tell you how much training our dentists have and how many procedures they have performed using sedation.
You will receive a form detailing all the risks of the procedure that you can go over with our dental team. During the procedure, our dentist will monitor your vital signs and keep to the American Dental Association’s guidelines. You can rest assured that you are always safe in our office.
IV sedation compared to Oral sedation
Many dentists in the field use oral sedation as their sedation of choice. Research shows that oral sedation is a more dangerous and a less predictable form of sedation. When sedation is administered, you are given 1-2 pills and wait an hour for the effect to start, and the provider can not be sure if he/she has given too little or too much. If too much sedation is given, an emergency situation could occur, and there is no IV to give other medications.
Getting IV certification is difficult and expensive, and very few Dentists in Calgary have the certification. Iv sedation is the ideal sedation method for dental procedures and the one we recommend for our patients.
Why Choose Us
- Complimentary Consultation: We offer complimentary consultations for sedation dentistry. At this appointment, we can effectively discuss your treatment needs/wants, and from there, we also do a medical screening. This is to ensure you are medically fit for sedation dentistry—your safety is our priority!
- Fully Trained Staff: All our staff at East Village Dental have been fully trained in Advanced CPR and IV Sedation training, so we are ready for anything.
- Flat Fee: Whether you need implants, crowns, or something as easy as a cleaning, our office charges a flat rate of $300.00 for any and all treatment per visit. Most other dental clinics charge $600-$1000. We want to keep things simple for you. So, we also offer direct billing to most major insurance companies. Save the paperwork for us!
Kick Dental Anxiety to the Curb!
If you are putting off dental work because you fear the pain or any other part of the work, sedation dentistry might offer the best solution.
Your convenience and satisfaction are our top priority!
IV Moderate Sedation FAQ
At East Village Dental, we use IV sedation dentistry to help patients who may be experiencing dental anxiety or apprehension.
Fear should not be standing between you and the stunning smile you deserve. Before coming into our office for your procedure, here are the top IV moderate sedation frequently asked questions to help ease your mind even more.
What Is IV Moderate Sedation?
This type of dental sedation is administered through a vein. Because your veins move blood throughout your body, this method of sedation works the most quickly. It also allows for our dentists to continually adjust the level of sedation depending on your vitals. During the sedation, you will be in a semi-awake state and will likely have little to no memory of your procedure.
What Are the Main Benefits of IV Sedation?
There are several benefits to sedation dentistry, including:
- Almost no sense of smell or sound.
- No sense of time while under sedation.
- Little memory of undergoing the procedure.
- An absence of fear or anxiety during treatment.
- No need for medical assistance to maintain adequate breathing and heart function.
When Should I Consider IV Moderate Sedation?
Most of our patients find that sedation helps them have a more positive experience at the dentist, no matter their anxiety levels. If you gag easily or have sensitive teeth, being sedated might also make a major difference in your experience in the dental chair.
We especially suggest looking into receiving a sedative if you are having multiple dental procedures done at once or are undergoing a long procedure, such as a deep gum cleaning. IV sedation is available for virtually any procedure you might need to undergo at our Calgary dentist’s office, from oral surgery to routine examinations and cleanings.
Is Sedation Only Helpful for Those With Dental Anxiety?
There are many benefits of using dental sedation. Even if you do not suffer from anxiety, IV moderate sedation might still be valuable to you. For example, IV moderate sedation might be the perfect fit for your next visit to our Calgary office if you:
- Gag easily.
- Have sensitive teeth.
- Are extra sensitive to pain.
- Are restless in the dental chair.
- Aren’t affected by local anesthesia.
- Experienced poor dental service in the past.
- Want to get more than one procedure done at once.
- Have a mouth that gets tired easily after being held open for long periods.
Will I Feel Any Pain?
With IV sedation, you will be awake during the dental treatment and have the ability to respond to verbal commands or a light touch but will not feel any pain. That’s the beauty of IV sedation!
Does IV Sedation Put You to Sleep?
No, this method of sedation does not put you to sleep. You will remain semi-awake. However, you will have little to no memory of the procedure after the treatment is over.
Will I Be Groggy After the Procedure?
You may be a little disoriented after your procedure. That’s why, for your safety, we do require that you have a family member or friend drive you home. This effect should wear off within a couple of hours.
How Is IV Sedation Different Than General Anesthesia?
While both are administered through an IV, you will remain awake during IV moderate sedation. General anesthesia would put you in a very deep sleep. In fact, you wouldn’t be able to be awoken while undergoing general anesthesia.
IV sedation allows you to avoid any discomfort caused by your treatment but still remain in a safe awake state.
Sedation dentistry reduces anxiety and still provides a successful dental treatment. You will be able to respond to verbal commands or physical touch during your treatment in order to aid our dental team.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
IV sedation is a very safe form of sedation. Just in case, prior to starting any procedure, including sedation, we will review your medical history. Our dentists will also monitor you very closely during the treatment to make sure everything goes extremely smoothly.
Have More Questions?
Our dental team at East Village Dental is happy to answer any questions you might have about IV moderate sedation. Give us a call today, and we will be happy to help you determine if sedation dentistry is the right fit for your next visit.
Forget about your dental phobias, and give us a call today for IV sedation dentistry!