Sedation

Many patients come to our office and share stories of being anxious about the dentist.  Most describe having been afraid to one extent or another for many years and as a result, some people have not gone to any dentist for many years and are now terrified they will be given extensive and expensive treatment plans which require lots of work and even more visits to the dentist.  It's this fear which they describe which has kept them from the dentist for a long time and as a result many of these patients contact our office already in pain.

We understand these feelings and will begin by listening to the origins of a patient's fears and collaborating on a plan which allows them to obtain treatment they require.  We look at building small steps to success and offer a range of options to help patients be able to come to the dentist and complete treatment.

Below is a list of sedation options, not all of which we currently offer at Bolton Park Dentistry, however, we are constantly adding options as they become necessary to meet the needs of our patients.  Dr. Gelfand works with many specialists who offer a variety of the following sedation options and, if necessary, she will help patients be connected with individuals who can meet their treatment needs.


General Anesthesia

If you’re particularly fearful or anxious about visiting the dentist, or you need major dental work done, dentistry performed under general anesthesia—also called “sleep dentistry,” may be a comfortable and practical option for you.  

Dental fear can lead minor tooth problems to become major oral health issues—and sleep dentistry can ensure you get the care you need without causing unnecessary stress or anxiety. Could sleep dentistry be a good option for you?  Talk to Dr. Gelfand about your concerns and you can decide together if your case is right for sleep dentistry. Depending upon your unique situation Dr. Gelfand may suggest other options such as oral medication, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or intravenous (IV) sedation. 


Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) sedation

During your visit, we can offer nitrous oxide as a way to maintain your sense of calm and comfort. Our highly trained staff will monitor your vital signs and your comfort level throughout the process and will make adjustments accordingly.


Oral Conscious Sedation

If you suffer from dental phobia, you’re not alone—many of our patients have put off going to the dentist for months, years, or even decades because of the anxiety caused by a dental visit!  One option we offer anxious patients—or patients who need a large number of procedures done during a single visit—is sedation dentistry, where we provide an oral sedative that is taken prior to the dental visit. 

 

Why oral sedation with nitrous oxide?

Also known as “laughing gas”, nitrous oxide is a powerful gas that, when mixed with oxygen and administered via a face mask, blocks pain and reduces anxiety. Commonly used in many aspects of dentistry to keep you more comfortable, combining nitrous oxide with an oral sedative is an excellent way to eliminate feelings of anxiety associated with dental procedures.

 

IV Conscious Sedation

In dentistry, intravenous or IV sedation is used to create a conscious sedation or “twilight” state where your body and mind are completely relaxed, but you are not unconscious. IV sedation minimizes any feelings of discomfort or anxiety, while still allowing you to talk and respond to questions (e.g. “Are you still feeling comfortable?”) or to react to verbal cues (e.g. “Can you turn your head toward the right a bit?) while the procedure is occurring.

In most cases, you will have no memory of the procedure, and because of the level of relaxation that IV sedation creates, you will need someone to take you home after the procedure is complete. The sedation will begin to wear off once you are out of the office, and you should be able to take part in normal activities within the next day.