Sedation Dentistry To The Rescue
Some patients have so much anxiety embedded deep in their subconscious that they completely avoid dental treatment which often leads to loss of teeth due periodontal disease (gum disease). For patients who have high levels of anxiety there is good news. Different forms of sedation have become a part of many dental practices across the nation. Administering oral sedation requires proper training and a high level of personal attention. At Brentwood Smile, Dr Cameron Torabi offers a host of different options to his patients.
By having several different choices available, the degree of sedation can be tailored to meet the individual needs of patients. Depending on the level and severity of anxiety, sedation can range from anxiolysis (light) and conscious to deep and unconsciousness.
In order to achieve the desired state of relaxation, Dr Torabi often offers four different methods:
1) Oral sedatives such as diazepam may be administered to a patient 30 minutes to an hour prior to the dental procedure or even the night before the procedure, depending on the patients' needs and anxiety level.
2) Nitrous oxide sedation involves the inhalation of nitrous oxide gas (laughing gas), which induces a state of relaxation.
3) Intravenous (IV) sedation can provide a range of sedation.With all three of the above methods of sedation, an injection of local anesthetic will also be used to provide pain relief.
The final method of sedation dentistry is general anesthesia. While intravenous and nitrous oxide sedations are commonly used to achieve states of light and conscious sedation, general anesthesia induces unconsciousness. This method is different from the others in the sense that the patient does not require local anesthetic for pain relief as he or she will be completely unconscious. The use of general anesthesia to render patients unconscious is a sedation method generally reserved for oral surgery. By offering a variety of sedation methods and degrees of sedation, patients no longer have to suffer the consequences of neglected oral health due to fear and anxiety.
Cameron Torabi, DDS, FCII
Our office is conveniently located in Brentwood, California-providing sedation, cosmetic and Implant dentistry to West Los Angeles, Westwood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.