Sedation Dentistry

The fear of going to a dentist is actually quite common these days. In the US, it affects somewhere between 9 to 15 percent of the population. That means roughly 30 to 40 million people avoid going to the dentist because they’re afraid. We, at Cherry Creek Dental Spa, understand that dental anxiety is a real and widespread problem and that is why we offer sedation dentistry.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is the use of sedatives to help patients feel calmer and more relaxed. There are different types and levels of sedation, and we can tailor the right one for your particular case.

• It can make you feel carefree and calm, so you don’t spend the entire time stressing out anxiously.
• In fact, it seems like time passes by when you’re sedated. It’s like you spent the whole time sleeping.
• Yet for the most part you’re actually conscious the whole time. This is important, because your dentist may require you to comply with some directive such as to open your mouth more or to turn your head.
• Because you feel more relaxed, you’re less likely to avoid your next dental care appointment. You may even look forward to it because the entire experience is so calming and stress-free.

Different Levels of Sedation

Sedation dentistry can come in several forms, and we will choose the most suitable procedure to match your needs and your anxiety.

• The most minimal sedation level involves the inhalation of nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) through a mask. We can control the level of nitrous oxide by adjusting a valve. This is a very common and very effective procedure, and once the dental procedures are over the gas wears off very quickly. You can even drive yourself home afterwards.
• The next level is moderate sedation, and usually this involves taking a pill. You can take a pill for minimal sedation, and we just increase the dose for moderate sedation levels. This level can actually cause you to fall asleep, though it’s light enough that you can be awakened with gentle shaking.
• You can also get moderate sedation through an IV. This way allows for much quicker sedation, while the use of the IV also lets our dentist adjust the level of sedation continuously.
• General anesthesia. This is reserved for serious dental surgeries. The medications will make you almost or even completely unconscious, so you won’t feel any sort of pain (or anxiety either for that matter) throughout the whole procedure.

Regardless of how anxious you are, we have different sedation dentistry methods that can help you calm down and relax.

Our office is happy to provide both minimal and moderate levels of sedation.