The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry in Gilbert, AZ

What You Should Know About Sedation Dentistry

Smile Crafters is a full-service dental practice that provides general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry. We believe that these factors are essential to consider before choosing a sedation dentist:

• Types of sedation: Sedation dentistry services include various levels of sedation, from minimal to deep. The most common types are nitrous oxide — which is known as laughing gas —, oral sedatives and intravenous (IV) sedation. We do not offer laughing gas at Smile Crafters. 
• Preparation: Depending on the type of sedation used, you may need to fast for a certain period of time before your appointment. Your dentist will provide specific instructions to ensure the process goes smoothly.
• What to expect: Your dentist will explain the procedure to you before starting so you are well informed. We seek to ease anxiety and make the process a comfortable, smooth experience.
• Aftercare: Recovery time can vary. For mild sedation, you might resume normal activities soon after your appointment. For deeper sedation, you may need someone to drive you home and monitor you as you recover.
• Safety: Sedation is safe when admitted by a professional. Your dentist will evaluate your health history and discuss any potential risks with you before proceeding.

Oral Sedation

For minimally to moderately anxious patients. Patients are drowsy but awake.

Oral sedation is ideal for people who suffer from dental anxiety before and during dental treatment. You take it in pill or liquid form and ingest it at a set time before treatment begins. The drug makes patients feel calm so a visit to our office is not so stressful. Patients given a higher dosage may feel drowsy enough to fall asleep during treatment. Oral sedatives don't relieve pain, so we'll administer local anesthetic as well.

Oral sedation is simple, safe and has few side effects, but patients using it will need a ride to and from their appointments.

IV Sedation

For patients with severe anxiety or undergoing surgical procedures. Patients are conscious but will have zero memory of the treatment.

IV sedation is commonly called sleep dentistry because the patient will feel as if they fell asleep and won’t remember the procedure. For IV sedation to work, we administer a specific set of sedatives via IV for the duration of the procedure or procedures. The dentist or anesthesiologist will monitor the patient closely to ensure safety and adjust the level of sedation as needed. 

IV sedation makes dentistry possible for patients who might otherwise avoid the dentist. Patients will feel fine after treatment with IV Sedation — however, we do not recommend driving and will require patients to have a ride home.

General Anesthesia

Under general anesthesia, patients are unconscious with no memory of the treatment, making this option ideal for patients with severe anxiety or undergoing complex surgical procedures.

Our dentists put the patient to sleep with an IV and kept them asleep with inhaled anesthesia — just like they do for surgical procedures at a hospital. Trained anesthesiologists attend to patients using state-of-the-art monitors that provide sensitive pulse, oxygen levels, and blood pressure readings — ensuring patients' safety during procedures and their fast recovery from the sedation.

Patients recovering from general anesthesia often feel fatigue or confusion at first. Full recovery typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, so patients will need a ride home.

As your appointment approaches, we recognize that you might feel nervous. Please remember that our team at Smile Crafters has handled hundreds of sedation cases, and we will take great care of you. Try to get a good night’s rest the night before your appointment, and carefully note any pre-appointment instructions. 

We will provide these well before your scheduled appointment and happily answer any questions you might have. Never hesitate to call and most importantly, relax. You will be in good hands.

Your experience with sedation dentistry will largely depend on which form of sedation you have chosen. Whether you are awake during your appointment or in a sleep-like state, we will take every measure necessary to ensure your comfort and confidence. Upon arrival at our practice, our team will greet you and get you checked in. 

We will then outline your appointment with detailed information on what to expect. Our team will answer your questions and then your treatment will begin.

Following sedation, most of our patients feel surprisingly good! Depending on which one you choose, the sedative or anesthetic may wear off within minutes or a couple of hours. Even though you may feel great after treatment, you will need to have a friend or family member drive you home — unless otherwise specified. Our dentists will give you detailed post-treatment instructions during your appointment, and if appropriate, Dr. Smith can prescribe medication to lessen any pain.

Can any dentist provide sedation for dental treatment? Most dentists can provide minimal forms of sedation, such as inhaled and oral sedation. However, a certified dentist or dental anesthesiologist can offer IV sedation and general anesthesia.

Our team has the licensing and training to perform inhaled, oral and IV sedation. Dr. Smith understands your fears and concerns and is here to provide a solution to ease your dental anxiety.

• Complete relaxation during treatment
• Little or no memory of dental procedure
• Multiple treatments can be completed in one visit
• Sedation levels are personalized to your needs
• Fast recovery time for most sedatives
• Great for children or patients with special needs
• Makes it easier to visit the dentist routinely

No pain. No bad memories. Better convenience for you!

There are always risks when involving drugs — however, the sedatives we use have been around for many years and offer very low risks. Before administering sedation, we will review your medical history to ensure we have chosen the safest option for your health. During treatment, we will monitor patients closely and adjust the administered sedation levels as necessary to meet your needs.

Is sedation dentistry right for you? Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to find out:

1. Do you have dental anxiety or fear visiting the dentist?
2. Do you struggle to sit still in the dental chair?
3. Do you need a lot of dental treatment done?
4. Do you have severe gag reflux?
5. Do you have a low threshold for pain?
6. Do you have sensitive teeth or gums?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, sedation dentistry can help curb your dental anxiety and make your trip to the dentist a more enjoyable experience. Sedation is not just for those who are fearful of the dentist. It is also an option for those who have highly sensitive teeth, a sensitive gag reflex or difficulty remaining still in the chair. Sedation dentistry also allows us to achieve as much treatment as possible in one visit. 

Smile Crafters believes that a visit to the dentist should be stress-free and comfortable. Our sedation dentistry services ensure that you receive top-notch care while feeling relaxed and at ease throughout your treatment. Take a look at our smile gallery online to see some before and after of our work. 

Take the first step toward a more comfortable dental visit — schedule your consultation with Smile Crafters today and let us help you achieve a healthier smile with the utmost care.