Sedation Dentistry Columbus, OH

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is a proven technique for helping people with dental anxiety or other challenges that make it difficult to maintain their oral health. By easing fear and discomfort, it allows patients to comfortably receive dental care in Columbus, Ohio, such as cleanings, exams, and fillings, as well as elective treatments in cosmetic dentistry that enhance the appearance of their smiles.

How Sedation in Dentistry Works

Those who suffer from dental phobias often experience extreme anxiety when they go to the dentist. This anxiety and tension cause overall stress, making it difficult to relax while work is being done. Even simple cleanings that cause no discomfort at all can become a stress-filled experience for someone with a dental phobia.

Firouzian Dentistry is happy to offer three types of dental sedation:

• Oral sedation—you take a pill before coming to the office
• Nitrous oxide—once in our office you will wear a mask that allows you to inhale nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) which helps you to relax
• IV sedation—you’ll be administered an intravenous sedative in the arm or hand, putting you into a semi-conscious state

For oral sedation, Dr. Firouzian will administer a mild sedative that helps you relax. This has the advantage that you can take it before your dental visit and can feel relaxed before your appointment. The disadvantage is that you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment.

Dr. Firouzian can also do your dental work using nitrous oxide to provide a similar sedative effect. You will remain alert throughout your dental work, able to respond to questions or directions from Dr. Firouzian. You will, however, be completely relaxed and in a calm, almost dreamlike state. Your time in the dentist’s chair will seem to pass very quickly, and you will experience no anxiety at all.

For those seeking IV sedation, we will administer a sedative medication directly into the bloodstream via the arm or hand. IV sedation is the deepest form of sedation available in a dental office and is often recommended for patients with severe dental anxiety or those undergoing lengthy procedures. It’s stronger than nitrous oxide or oral sedatives and can help patients feel calm and at ease during the procedure without feeling pain. Patients often fall asleep during the procedure and have little to no memory of it when they wake up.

Sedation for Advanced Dental Procedures

Sedation dentistry isn’t just for easing anxiety during cleanings or fillings. It also makes it easier to complete complex treatments like dental implants, full mouth restorations, or multiple procedures in a single visit. Patients who want to focus on improving their smile with cosmetic dentistry often find that sedation helps them feel relaxed and confident throughout their treatment. Even if your goal is simply keeping your smile healthy with preventive care, sedation can make visits more comfortable and stress-free.

Am I a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry can help people who avoid dental treatment because they are afraid or are uncomfortable. Common situations in which people benefit from sedation dentistry include people who:

• Are afraid of the dentist
• Are frightened by specific sights and sounds at the dental office
• Have a strong gag reflex
• Have difficulty getting numb
• Get a sore jaw after holding the mouth open for dental care

If you have any of these, sedation dentistry can help unless you have an unfortunate allergy to the sedation medication or are taking medications that interact with the sedation medication.

Advantages of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation lets you get dental work you might be too afraid to approach otherwise. It can also make dental visits seem more normal and routine so you may overcome your dental phobia. Since much dental pain is related directly to anxiety, sedation dentistry can reduce the amount of discomfort you experience.

In addition to alleviating anxiety, sedation can also be helpful to the dentist. If you have avoided seeing a dentist, Dr. Firouzian might discover that you need to have several procedures done in order to restore your overall oral health. Using sedation dentistry, he can more easily address multiple problems in a single visit. Because you will be relaxed, his work will be easier to perform. The sedative will also make time seem to go more quickly so that procedures that take some time to do properly will not cause additional stress.