Sedation Dentistry
Natick, MA
 Dental phobia is very common. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 36% of the U.S. population have a fear of dental treatment. Almost 22 percent of people skip their dental appointments because they fear the dentist, according to the American Dental Association. Delaying dental visits could result in tooth loss, infection, and/or pain. We understand it is necessary to create a comforting and gentle environment for our patients to be effective in providing a great experience. We understand providing dental care in the most pain-free, stress-free, fear-free way possible is what patients want. Our facility is fully licensed and equipped for all levels of sedation dentistry. Our providers are licensed and trained to provide these services.
During your treatment planning appointment, we will review all our sedation options with you if you are interested and/or need them. We will review your medical history and evaluate which option is most safe for you. If a deeper level of sedation, you will work with our anesthesiologist to prep for your appointment to ensure you have a comfortable and safe experience. The goals of this planning work is to make sure there are no surprises and you know exactly what the process will be.
Local Anesthesia
We gently numb our patients mouth so the patient feels no pain during treatment. This is used for almost any procedure.  Nitrous Oxide
The "laughing" gas is a very popular sedation solution. Oxygen and nitrous oxide is inhaled gradually during dental treatment to achieve the required level of sedation. It is turned "on" or "off" and most can go about their day after a short recovery.  Oral Conscious Sedation
A stronger level of sedation is the use of oral conscious sedation - or "the sleepy pill." You will be awake but be out of it. You will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. 
Intravenous (IV) Sedation
Administered by our anesthesiologist, anesthesia medication is provided through an IV to provide deep sedation or general anesthesia. This is the only "true" sleep dentistry. Your dentistry will be performed while you are asleep, you will safely wake up and it will all be done. 
Local Anesthesia
We administer a local anesthetic, pending evaluation of medical history and allergies, to gently numb an area of your mouth. We are hyper sensitive of patients that may be afraid of "getting numb" and do this in a subtle way. This is to prevent pain during your dental procedure. Some patients need more anesthetic and some need less. We will take it slow and make sure you are comfortable and safe. You are awake if only using local anesthesia. Local anesthesia generally wears off after a few hours following your appointment.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is often known as the "laughing gas" or "happy gas." It is colorless and nonflammable with a slightly sweet odor or taste. It is administered through inhalation and absorbed by your body. Typically a patient will initially receive oxygen and slowly nitrous will be introduced to achieve the optimal level of comfort. The combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen is generally a safe and effective means of managing anxiety. You are awake during the inhalation of nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation, however you will be in a further relaxed state. We will ask you to limit talking during administration and breathe through your nose (and avoid mouth breathing). After the procedure, we will deliver 100% oxygen for 5 minutes.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral sedation is sometimes known as "pill sedation" as it is typically administered in pill form. We will work with you to evaluate which medicine and what quantity is appropriate to meet your needs. The types of medicine could be Valium, Halcion, or Xanax as examples. The administration of this sedation is easy because you take a pill with water, there are no needles, and it is generally safe as long as used as prescribed. You will be awake during your dental procedure, however you will be in "la la land." Some patients may be sleepier and more "out of it" than others. When on this medication, it is important to follow all pre-operative and post-operative instructions. This includes avoiding alcohol, being driven to and from your appointment, and having a caretaker close all while taking this medication. The medication generally lasts several hours depending on dosage - please refer to prescription and provider instructions given before, during, and after taking this medication.
Intravenous (IV) Sedation
Deep and General
IV sedation may be a good option for patients with moderate to high dental anxiety, those with gag reflex, and patients with more complex treatment plans. The Anesthesiologist and Dentist will review your medical history as part of the "sedation work-up" and review preparation for your appointment ahead of time. During the appointment, you may be given Oxygen and Nitrous-Oxide and numbing cream ahead of setup of an IV and setup of all the sedation equipment. The Anesthesiologist and a licensed nurse or paramedic will be present to help with administration and monitoring. Once the IV is in and sedation monitoring and administration equipment is setup, the Anesthesiologist will begin to administer medication through the IV as you go into a "sleepy twilight." Depending on the level of sedation used, you may be conscious or unconscious and this will be planned and administered to meet your needs to keep you calm and comfortable. During the entire procedure, the Anesthesiologist and nurse / paramedic will monitor your vitals to keep you safe and ensure the level of medication provided is appropriate and maintained. They will then help you awaken from your twilight with all the dental work completed - you won’t remember a thing. The Anesthesiologist and nurse/paramedic will then help you recover from your sleep and review post-operative instructions. You must have someone drive you to and from your appointment and it is a good idea to take the day off. The Anesthesiologist’s team and the Elite Dental of Natick team will follow-up with you to make sure you feel good following the procedures. You will be in great hands. |
