Don't Let Fear of the Dentist Keep You from Getting the Care You Deserve
The truth is that people who avoid dental care due to fear of going to the dentist don’t get the care they want or need. Their problems often spiral out of control and continue to get worse, adding to the cost and impact of mounting problems.
If fear has kept you from coming to the dentist, it’s time to come back. Conscious sedation allows us to restore your smile while you deeply relax—or even fall asleep. This safe form of sedation also enables us to perform multiple procedures during a single visit.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Oral conscious sedation provides relaxing, comfortable dental care while sedated. The medicine used is Triazolam–a small pill taken about one hour prior to your dental visit. This safe medication is widely prescribed by physicians for patient’s home use and has found a particularly good use in dental offices for sedation dentistry.
Only 1% of the dentists in the country are qualified in oral conscious sedation, and people come from all over Eastern Washington to be treated using this safe, comfortable, and proven method of care.
Increases effectiveness of anesthesia
Eliminates gagging
Allows for a more comfortable opening, which decreases joint and muscle soreness
Decreases total number of appointments
Causes amnesia—most people don't even remember the dental appointment
Allows patients to relax comfortably—and even sleep—during the procedure
Eliminates the need for IVs and needles
Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry
Is oral conscious sedation dentistry right for you? Check out these frequently asked questions and ask us about your sedation options at your next visit!
Unlike with general anesthesia, oral conscious sedation dentistry enables you to remain awake during your dental procedure. The medicine causes you to relax, increases the effectiveness of the anesthesia, and usually keeps you from remembering the procedure after the fact. Many patients do fall asleep during the procedure, but they are not being "put under"—they are simply experiencing an advanced state of relaxation.
As with any sedative, the effects of conscious sedation dentistry can take some time to wear off. Rather than have you sit in our office for hours after your procedure, we suggest arranging for a ride home from your appointment, so you can relax at home until the medication wears off completely—generally no more than 8 hours after your appointment.
When properly administered by a trained dentist (like Dr. Ostler), sedation dentistry is completely safe. It's always a good idea to talk about your health history and any concerns you have with your dental team prior to your procedure.
“All I know is that when the medication wore off, my teeth were fixed. And I don’t recall any pain at ALL! I can’t even begin to tell you how this positively affected my life and what this did for my confidence and my self-esteem."
Susan | Read More Reviews