IV Sedation - Nitrous Oxide - Pill - Valium Sedation Information

We understand that some patients may find dentistry difficult due to apprehension or anxiety. Whether it is for a routine cleaning and exam or fillings, or something more extensive like root canals, removing teeth, dental implants, gum treatment, or crowns (caps), your comfort is of the utmost importance to us. We offer four different levels of medications to help you relax and feel comfortable during your dental visits.

Nitrous Oxide

• Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a colorless gas that is breathed in through a rubber mask which fits comfortably over the nose
• It produces a euphoric sensation which greatly reduces apprehension and anxiety
• It can be administered to most people, even young children
• Because it is a gas, it works quickly and leaves the system quickly so patients can drive to and from the appointment

Valium

• Valium is taken as a pill and helps patients relax through gentle sedation
• It works well for patients who don't sleep well the night before their appointment
• Valium is prescribed to take an hour before bedtime the night before the appointment and an additional pill one hour before the appointment
• It is usually used in combination with nitrous oxide
• Morning appointments work best
• The patient must have someone drive them to and from the appointment

Sleep Sedation

• Sleep sedation, sometimes referred to as pill sedation, helps patients by producing a deeper level of sedation than Valium alone
• One to two pills are administered one hour before the appointment in the office
• It can be used with Valium taken the night before the appointment
• It can also be used with nitrous oxide
• The patient must have someone drive them to and from the appointment
• The patient cannot have anything to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to the appointment
• Morning appointments are advised
• The patient is usually asleep but can be aroused
• Sleep sedation has an amnesia (loss of memory) effect, so the patient usually doesn't remember the treatment very much

IV Sedation

• IV sedation, or intravenous sedation, produces the deepest level of sedation of the methods listed here
• IV sedation produces an uncaring, unaware state of consciousness in which the patient "goes to sleep, wakes up and it's over"
• It can be used with Valium the night before the appointment
• It works well for very apprehensive patients
• It also works well for mentally compromised and special needs patients
• All dental work can usually be done in one visit
• The patient must have someone drive them to and from the appointment
• Morning appointments work best
• The patient cannot have anything to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to the appointment
• Although deeply sedated, the patient is able to breathe on their own and respond to verbal commands by the dentist
• As with sleep (pill) sedation, IV sedation has an amnesia effect so the patient doesn't remember the treatment experience