Dental Sedation Long Beach, CA

Dental sedation, otherwise known as “sleep dentistry,” helps patients to stay calm during a dental procedure and helps diminish pain. Techniques for dental sedation vary in intensity and range from a mild relaxation to a full unconscious experience. Dental sedation is optimal for patients who experience anxiety at the dentist.

Our Long Beach Dentists have met or exceeded all necessary qualifications to administer sedation. Our dental team is required to attend special training to handle and dispense such sedation techniques.

Many times, a patient’s pain, fear or discomfort can make a dental procedure impossibly difficult. Many patients choose to ignore a necessary procedure altogether. With sedation techniques, we can offer a better experience for both adults and kids.

If you experience debilitating fear or anxiety at the dentist, dental sedation may be right for you. Sedation can help with other factors such as pain relief or an overactive gag reflex.

Please keep in mind that certain conditions such as allergies, sleep apnea and pregnancy may exclude you as a sedation candidate. Our caring team will review your medical history and help you pick the best option.

Your experience under dental sedation will depend on the specific technique administered. Nitrous oxide can make you feel relaxed, while oral medication may make you sleepy. With unconscious sedation, you will be totally asleep and will not remember the procedure.

This type of sedation keeps you fully awake but will help you feel less pain and anxiety. This option is performed by use of oral pills or nitrous oxide gas. Local anesthesia is sometimes applied topically to numb the gums and teeth. Conscious dental sedation is perfect for routine procedures such as teeth cleanings.

This sedative option will put you into a dreamy state, where you will feel relaxed and calm. You won’t be completely conscious but can still answer any questions that may arise. Afterward, you might not be able to remember your appointment too well. Nitrous oxide or IV medication is used in twilight sedation.

Unconscious dental sedation will put you fully asleep during your procedure. This is administered under general anesthesia. This option is best for patients who suffer from extreme anxiety or panic disorders.

General anesthesia is used to fully put a patient to sleep during unconscious dental sedation. This option is generally reserved for patients with autism, serious phobias, overactive gag reflexes, anxiety disorders, or other medical conditions.

This type of dental sedation is administered through your vein. It is fast-acting and allows the dental expert complete control over the precise sedation dosage.

Oral sedation is given by the mouth with a pill or liquid. These usually involve benzodiazepines, and the level of sedation can be adjusted according to the dosage. This sedation will make you feel relaxed and sleepy, and you may not remember everything for your appointment.

Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is specific medication administered through a breathing mask. It is fast-acting, only works while you are breathing it, and tends to quickly wear off.

Sedation costs depend on the option required, and dental insurance can help cover some to all of your costs. Our team at the Dentist of Long Beach can go over your payment options and any questions you may have.

Conscious Dental Sedation:

This type of sedation keeps you fully awake but will help you feel less pain and anxiety. This option is performed by use of oral pills or nitrous oxide gas. Local anesthesia is sometimes applied topically to numb the gums and teeth. Conscious dental sedation is perfect for routine procedures such as teeth cleanings.

Twilight Dental Sedation:

This sedative option will put you into a dreamy state, where you will feel relaxed and calm. You won’t be completely conscious but can still answer any questions that may arise. Afterward, you might not be able to remember your appointment too well. Nitrous oxide or IV medication are used in twilight sedation.

Unconscious Dental Sedation:

Unconscious dental sedation will put you fully asleep during your procedure. This is administered under general anesthesia. This option is best for patients who suffer from extreme anxiety or panic disorders.

Most dental sedation techniques are medications belonging to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. If you are given tablets to take by mouth, you will most likely receive Diazepam or Triazolam. Injections used are typically Midazolam while IV medications will be Midazolam or Propofol. You might also be offered a nitrous oxide gas.

Oral sedation is either offered by an oral tablet or nitrous oxide gas. If you are given a tablet, you will take the medication by mouth and wait for the effects to kick in. Nitrous oxide is administered through a hose that pumps gas into a nose and mouth cover, and you will breathe in the gas.

Each dental plan will offer different benefits. Contact your insurance provider to find out what is covered.

Only unconscious sedation involving general anesthesia will put you fully to sleep.

Because we use local anesthesia to numb the pain and sedatives to lower your awareness of pain, you will most likely not have to deal with pain during your procedure.

Yes, sedation dentistry is a safe option for most adults. Your dental health professional will discuss your medical history as well as the various methods and risks with you to determine if sedation is right for you.

Yes, dental sedation is safe for children as well as adults, and can help reduce fear in anxious children.

Primarily, dental sedation will produce amnesia effects, along with reduced pain. Only rarely will patients experience nausea from nitrous oxide or the hiccups. Other side effects might include:

• Drowsiness
• Slow reflexes
• Low blood pressure
• Headache
• Feeling sluggish

The recovery time for dental sedation varies. For most patients undergoing conscious sedation, recovery is relatively quick. You will need to have someone to come pick you up and drive you home after sedation and should not drive or make important decisions for 24 hours after your appointment.

For some forms of sedation, you may receive a prescription to take before your appointment. Your dental professional will give you a complete list of pre-treatment instructions. You also will need to arrange for a ride to drive you, if required.