Sedation dentistry is a technique used by a trained dentist to provide a relaxing and anxiety-free experience for people receiving dental treatment. A major benefit to the sedation technique is that people often report to have felt nothing during the procedure.
Many people avoid visiting the dentist because of the common dental phobia. Avoiding regular dental treatment often results in neglect of oral health and appearance, up to and beyond the point when drastic measures become necessary. Sedation dentistry addresses this phobia, allowing people to undergo dental work while avoiding this common apprehension. Additionally, sedation dentistry is such that complex dental procedures can be performed under a stress-free environment. Many dentists now offer sedation dentistry; however, the level of experience among dentists in sedation dentistry varies.
Axiolysis (oral ativan), nitrous oxide oxygen conscious sedation are the most common modalities used by practising dentists to reduce patients' anxiety for dental treatments. Most dental schools include this kind of training. Very rarely you can obtain a proper level of sedation that patients are amnesic for their dental treatment. Oral triazolam with or without nitrous oxide oxygen requires special training and monitoring equipment, which are more likely to put patient into the proper level of sedation. However, the predictability is low and cost could be high if nitrous oxide oxygen has to be used.
Intravenous (IV) sedation requires the highest levels of training in conscious sedation and the provider must also pass the advanced cardiovascular and life support (ACLS) training, the same obtained by emergency room doctors and nurses in the hospital environment. IV sedation is a very safe and by far the most predictable sedation technique due to its titratability nature. It only takes a few minutes to put you into a near-sleep state. Therefore, it can be performed spontaneously. You will be so relaxed as not to be aware of the treatment, noise, smells and pain. With the most advanced monitoring system, your vital signs (blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiration, EKG etc.) are monitored through the duration of the procedure. You will need an escort for your appointment and must wear loose shirts.
I am certified by both the Alberta Dental Association and College and College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia to perform IV sedation as well as all of the other sedation modalities mentioned above.
