Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Sedation in Oxnard, CA

This involves the use of any kind of sedation by a specially trained dental professional before and during a dental procedure to help a patient relax and be more comfortable. Our office always reviews patients' medical history to make sure they are a good candidate for sedation dentistry before scheduling it for them.

Dental sedation benefits patients in many ways. It helps reduce anxiety and dental phobias in patients prone to them. It also helps patients be more comfortable and to feel less pain during a dental procedure.

It is safe for the majority of patients when administered by a properly trained professional. Your medical history should always be reviewed by your dentist before you undergo dental sedation. Some patients experience mild side effects. There is a small risk with dental sedation, however, as there is with any other medical procedure.

It is safe for children and is often used with them, most often in the form of nitrous oxide, to help reduce the fear and anxiety they often experience.

Sedation dentistry is not for every patient or every procedure, but it is a good option for patients who experience anxiety and fear at the dentist, those who have severe gag reflexes or a low pain threshold, those who cannot hold their mouths open for long periods, and those with traumatic dental histories.

It can also help patients who have overly sensitive teeth, children, patients who cannot handle the sounds and smells common in dentistry, and those who have physical limitations. Finally, it can be useful for patients who have none of these issues if they are about to undergo extensive dental work at one time.

Our dentists and office staff all have special training for sedation dentistry as well as a permit and certification. We have all the necessary monitoring and safety equipment on-site to ensure that we can perform the procedures safely.

There are three kinds of sedation used in dentistry: conscious sedation, twilight sedation, and unconscious sedation.

Conscious Sedation

The patient stays conscious during this form of sedation. It involves the use of mild medications such as local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, and oral tablets. This is used for mild procedures such as fillings.

Twilight Sedation

In this form of sedation, the patient will remain conscious but will be sleepy and relaxed. The patient may or may not remember the procedure. The medication is usually administered as nitrous oxide or in the form of an IV. This form of sedation is used for moderate procedures.

Unconscious Sedation

This is general anesthesia, and the patient is completely unconscious during the procedure with this level of sedation. The medication is administered by either an IV or a breathing mask. It is most often used for more invasive procedures.

The most common side effect is mild and temporary amnesia. Nausea and/or hiccups occasionally occur after the use of nitrous oxide. Other side effects are rare but may include headaches, low blood pressure, drowsiness, feeling “sick,” feeling sluggish or heavy, and drowsiness.

Conscious sedation is the most common kind and usually involves either nitrous oxide or a tablet taken orally.

Oral sedation involves either a tablet swallowed with a glass of water or nitrous oxide administered through a mouth and/or nose cover using a hose.

A large number of medications are used for dental sedation. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is commonly used for oral dentistry. Most tablets used are benzodiazepines like Triazolam or Diazepam. Propofol and Midazolam are often used for IV sedation.

You will need to arrange for transportation home no matter the level of sedation you are undergoing. If you are taking a tablet for sedation purposes, you will need to take it at the scheduled time before the appointment. You may also need to fast for a certain amount of time prior to the procedure for certain forms of sedation. Your provider will give you detailed instructions before your appointment.

Between the local anesthetics that will be used to numb the treatment site and the sedation, you should not feel any pain during your treatment.

Conscious sedation will not make you unconscious. Twilight sedation will leave you drowsy but awake. If you have unconscious sedation, also called general anesthesia, you will be unconscious during the procedure.

The recovery time varies depending on the type of sedation used and from one patient to another. Nitrous oxide clears from your system quickly. The medications used for unconscious sedation may make you drowsy for several hours. You will not be allowed to drive, operate heavy machinery, or make important decisions for a full 24 hours after your procedure.

Dental insurance plans vary on what they will and will not cover in the way of sedation dentistry. Our friendly staff will be happy to verify your insurance benefits for you before your procedure, so you know what is and is not covered.