Sedation Options to Overcome Fear, Support Comfortable Treatment
Your comfort is our priority at Glendale Periodontics. Our team is very reassuring, and we are proud to provide care from a relaxing, comfortable, and well-appointed office, which serves patients from across the greater Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, Toluca Lake, and Simi Valley, California area. All of our treatments can be safely and comfortably conducted with local anesthesia to alleviate any discomfort. Additionally, our board-certified periodontist, Dr. Tyler Hendry, has received specialized training to offer both oral and IV sedation options.
Is sedation dentistry appropriate for certain types of periodontic procedures?
We understand that any type of dental treatment can be challenging – and even traumatic – for the patient. Therefore, any visit, regardless of its scope, can be aided by dental sedation. With that being said, sedation is not just appropriate for patients who are anxious about dental visits. It is also a way to make longer visits or complex procedures more comfortable and relaxing. When our patients are relaxed, we can perform more procedures or aspects of treatment during a single visit. It’s a safe method for combining and completing treatments efficiently. For instance, sedation dentistry may be used in conjunction with certain types of extractions or full-mouth rehabilitation.
What do you mean by oral sedation?
Sometimes referred to as oral conscious sedation, this method of relaxation involves taking a prescription sedative. When selecting the most appropriate medication for you or a family member, we account for:
- Procedure length (as shorter-acting drugs are better for procedures that can be completed quickly, while longer-acting drugs are generally best for more time-consuming, complicated, and involved procedures)
- Each patient’s unique risk of allergic reactions or sensitivities to certain medications
- Patient’s medical history
- Current medications and potential contraindications
- The level of sedation needed to keep you relaxed and comfortable
Dr. Hendry advises on exactly when to take your pill or tablet. As indicated by its name, you remain conscious and able to communicate with our team. However, you may become so drowsy and relaxed that you fall asleep. Often, patients have little to no memories of the treatment, which eliminates this potential source of dental fear.
How does IV sedation work?
Also known as “twilight sedation,” IV sedation is delivered intravenously into a vein. Since the medication is delivered directly into your bloodstream, its effects are induced very quickly. This method also allows us to have precise control over the level of sedation, and we can safely adjust it as needed throughout treatment. True to its nickname, you remain conscious but in a twilight state, whereby you are deeply and profoundly relaxed with little likelihood of remembering treatment afterward.
Do I need to prepare?
Yes! For both of the above methods, you need to arrange for someone responsible to drive you to and from our office. Since it takes time for the effects of these drugs to wear off, it is not safe for you to drive or operate machinery afterward. Therefore, having reliable transportation arranged before your appointment is essential. We can also advise on whether you need to fast for a specific period before your procedure. You will be provided with instructions tailored to your particular needs and treatment.
What can I expect afterward?
Since sedation is commonly associated with lingering drowsiness, we ask that a friend or family member stay with you once you are home as the effects wear off. You will need to arrange for time away from work, as it’s important to rest for the remainder of the day. Do not engage in any strenuous exercise or activities, and refrain from making important decisions, as the effects of sedation can impair your judgment and mental clarity.
As a specialty practice, Glendale Periodontics has a wide range of advanced tools at its disposal to serve our neighbors from across Southern CA. Sedation is just one of those tools, albeit a very important one, to support our patients’ comfort and experience. To learn more, please schedule an appointment at our office by calling (818) 240-4555 today.
