Dallas Sedation Dentistry

For most people the thought of having dental treatment is not on their top ten lists of things to do. Perceptions linger on, but technology and medications have revolutionized patient’s experiences. First we had local anesthetic, then came nitrous oxide and now we have oral sedation. Today we use all three in combination to make patients experience smooth and pleasant.

Some people have so much anxiety about getting dental care from childhood experiences they remember deep in their subconscious; they avoid it at all costs. They would rather put their hand over their mouth when they smile, not smile or grow a mustache or beard to hide their smile. Often they wait till their teeth are loose and they have lost all their bone support from periodontal disease (gum disease). Now they are looking at dentures or implants to support teeth of some sort. Dentures are psychologically and functionally a disappointment and implants to support a full month of teeth is dentistry’s largest investment sometimes requiring bone and teeth to be replaced.

Fortunately, it does not need to be that way anymore. Oral sedation does not require an IV, only a couple of pills taken while you relax in a gentle massage chair. The anti-anxiety sedative-hypnotic pill is given in the office while the patient relaxes listening and/ or watching the program of their choice. Once the patient is totally comfortable and in a “relaxed state”, the local anesthetic is given. Once this takes effect the dental treatment is started. Nitrous Oxide is used to supplement the oral sedation if needed. Vital signs are continuously monitored by a sophisticated medical instrument called a pulse-oximeter as directed by Dr. Sowell’s license for oral sedation from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. Most people tend to sleep lightly through the appointment and because they are so comfortable their smile can be transformed without numerous dental visits. This saves busy people time and offers them immediate results. One hour before the appointment is over we call the patient’s trusted guardian to come pick them up. When the visit is over we give the patient a cup of juice or a protein shake depending on their preferences with a warm face cloth to help them wake up much like a first class flight overseas before you land. Patients usually remember very little about their visit and since they experience no anxiety during treatment they are much more refreshed once the sedation wears off. Typically high blood pressure patients for example will run 0-20 points below their normal resting blood pressure throughout treatment indicating their relaxed state during treatment. On top of that, when they go home they have their smile and/or health rejuvenated without any stressful memories. Because of the anti anxiety effects of the oral sedation, it is an excellent way for older medically compromised patients to receive treatment. It prevents them from experiencing stress and anxiety, thus keeping their blood pressure low and heart healthy. Eliminating stress is always a good thing. Finally, we can offer major dental transformation in a comfortable stress free environment.

IV sedation is another option. The benefit of IV sedation is that the same class of anti-anxiety drug can be administered into the bloodstream resulting in almost instantaneous effects. Not all people react the same to a standard dosage of a drug. For 80% of the population, we can expect predictable results with oral sedation and they will be very comfortable. Twenty percent of the population will not be sedated as much as hoped. Particularly people who use alcohol or particular prescription drugs regularly. They will require a higher level of drugs to sedate them, or make them unaware of what is going on. This level may be not considered safe in a dental office and thus is not allowed through oral sedation licenses. With IV sedation, a doctor can quickly see the effect of the drug on the patient and give more drugs to the patient through the IV. The more drugs given the more dangerous it is as ultimately respiratory depression can occur. Additionally IV sedation cannot go on as long as oral sedation in a dental office. IV procedures should not last much more than 3 hours, where as long restorative appointments cannot be done under IV sedation. Thus with IV sedation the appointments must be held to no more than 3 hours and require a licensed dental anesthesiologist and often multiple appointments. Oral sedation is very safe (one eighth of the average amount to cause respiratory depression) and can last much longer, up to 6 hours. I have been providing oral sedation for my patients for 20 years and for 80% of the population oral sedation is a great way to have major dental treatment with minimal side effects. For those patients who require IV sedation we have an excellent dental anesthesiologist come to our office.

Please call Dr. Sowell’s Dallas sedation dentistry team to schedule your oral sedation consultation at 972-464-2660.