Sedation dentistry for your next appointment with Dr. Dean Glasser
Dec. 15 2020
Dental anxiety can impact anyone at any age. For some patients, dentistry can provoke a fear and trepidation that, in spite of knowing there is a problem, the individual will forgo care until the emergency reaches unbearable discomfort. For others, past negative experiences in the dental chair can cause patients to avoid visiting their dentist. Whatever the reason, the team at Implant and General Dentistry of Long Island can help with the use of sedation dentistry.
What is sedation dentistry?
Drs. Dean and Renee Glasser describe sedation dentistry as a method of addressing dental anxiety, fear, or even a severe gag reflex with the use of pharmaceutical medicines or inhalation agents. With sedation, patients can be made to feel relaxed and comfortable before, during, and after their dental treatments. Often the patients will have little or no recollection of the procedure as some of the sedatives have amnesic properties. Our practice offers several modalities of sedation for patients to choose from, and these can all be discussed during a consultation visit at our facility. The main purpose of Sedation Dentistry is to create an environment that will allow the patient to complete elective or emergency care in a relaxed setting that best suits the patient.
- Oral conscious sedation – for patients with moderate anxieties, oral conscious sedation is an effective solution. A sedative is administered approximately one hour prior to the procedure and the patient is then transferred to a dental treatment room where they can relax to light music or TV. Once sedated to an acceptable level the patient can undergo dental treatments without the uneasiness all the while being carefully monitored. Upon completion of treatment the patient is allowed to relax during the recovery phase. When the patient is deemed stable the patient is then discharged and escorted home by a responsible adult.
- Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas that has been previously used in operating room settings and can be used to relax the slightly anxious dental patient. Also known as “laughing gas,” this inhalation agent can provide enough anxiety reduction that when supplemented with dental anesthetic, can create a suitable level of relaxation to allow the patient to receive proper care. The administration of this gas is done via a mask and when the procedure is complete, oxygen is administered to reverse the effects. Patients who utilized nitrous oxide sedation can immediately drive themselves home or to work following their appointment. The ability to quickly recover from this light sedation and resume normal activities without any lingering effect makes this a viable option for many patients.
Are you interested in learning more about sedation dentistry solutions?
Contact Drs. Dean and Renee Glasser of Implant and General Dentistry of Long Island in Melville, NY to request an appointment and see if sedation Dentistry is the right option for you. The office is located at 458 Old Country Road and can be reached at (631) 423-6767. We are always open to new and current patients in the area.
Dr. Dean Glasser is a respected Cosmetic and General Dentist, serving Melville, NY and the greater Long Island area. A Professor at Columbia University Dental School, Dr. Glasser is recognized as a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and as a Fellow of the following organizations: the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Association of Hospital Dentistry and the Misch Implant Institute.
