Sedation Dentistry in Hillsborough, NJ

With sedation dentistry, medication is used to help patients relax during dental procedures. Some people call sedation dentistry “sleep dentistry,” but this isn’t entirely accurate, because patients are usually awake. However, some patients are put under general anesthesia, and these patients are unconscious.

The levels of sedation are:

• Minimal sedation – The patient is conscious but relaxed
• Moderate sedation – The patient is also conscious but very relaxed
• Deep sedation – The patient is on the edge of consciousness and especially relaxed
• General anesthesia – The patient is completely unconscious

Also, the patient may receive a local anesthetic (a numbing medication) for the procedure. This can help make the patient even more comfortable.

For most patients, dental sedation is very safe. Most patients have no problem with nitrous oxide, which is a common and very safe sedative. To make sure dental sedation will be safe for you, just speak with a dentist about it and ask the dentist about their experience with sedation. The dentist will answer all your questions and ask about your medical history to make sure you’ll be a good candidate for sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry can be done to help a patient feel more comfortable about going to a dentist or getting a particular dental procedure done. Sedation dentistry can also be done for a patient who:

• Has a bad gag reflex
• Needs a lot of dental work done
• Needs an invasive procedure
• Has especially sensitive teeth
• Wants a procedure to be especially comfortable (like a standard cleaning procedure)
• Struggles to sit still in a dentist’s chair (like a young patient)

If you have any other reason for wanting sedation, don’t hesitate to ask a dentist about it. If your child has a reason for wanting sedation, ask a dentist!

It’s important to ask the dentist about how you should prepare for your procedure. It’s also important to prepare properly by following the dentist’s instructions! The dentist may give you instructions about:

• Eating or drinking before the appointment (like what foods to avoid)
• Dressing for the appointment
• Taking any medication, the dentist previously prescribed
• Speaking with an anesthesiologist just prior to your procedure
• And more

During a simple consultation with a dentist, you’ll be able to learn more about what to expect from sedation dentistry. It’s very simple and safe for most patients, and it can make a procedure much easier too. This can be especially true for kids. If you want your procedure to be especially comfortable, or if your child wants a very comfortable procedure, then consider sedation dentistry.

We hope you found this Q&A helpful. You’re more than welcome to contact us if you have any other questions about sedation dentistry or if you’d like a consultation with Designs for Dental Health’s dentist, Dr. Sagar Lunagaria, DMD, FICOI. We hope to hear from you soon! For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 425 Amwell Road Suite 104 Hillsborough, NJ 08844. We serve patients from Hillsborough NJ, Franklin Township NJ, Green Knoll Bridgewater NJ, Bound Brook NJ, North Brunswick Township NJ, Edison NJ, and surrounding areas.