• Meet Our Staff

• Cosmetic Smile Design
• Porcelain Veneers
• Teeth Whitening
• Mercury-Free White Fillings
• Tooth Bonding
• Porcelain Inlays
• Instant Orthodontics

• Sedation Dentistry Benefits
• Common Questions

• TMJ Symptoms
• TMJ Treatments

• Root Canal
• Dentures & Partials
• Full Mouth Rejuvenation
• Tissue Recontouring
• Same-Day Crowns

• Dental Hygiene
• Childrens Dentistry
• Extractions
• Cavity Removal

• CEREC Technology
• Digital x-rays
• Dental Laser
• Pain Management

Sedation Dentistry Benefits

Serving Sonora, near Stockton & Modesto

Though you probably know that putting off going to the dentist can result in serious dental problems down the road, many people avoid going altogether because of the fear of pain. Fear of pain can certainly be a strong motivator for avoiding the dentist. In response to this, many dentists, including Sleep Dentist, Dr. Berger, offer sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry, as the name implies, involves the use of a sedative. Because there are no needles or IVs involved, the patient is not “put under.” The main advantage of using a sedative is that the patient will remain in a calm and relaxed state throughout their dental procedure. It is completely safe and does not require an anesthesiologist.

Types of Sedatives

Several different types of sedatives are available in both an oral form or by using nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas.” Oral sedation includes diazepam (Valium), hydroxyzine (Vistaril), larazepam (Ativan), and zaleoplon (Sonata).

In some cases, oral sedation requires taking the medication prior to the dental appointment. In these cases, you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. You may not have any memory of your procedure, a process known as retrograde amnesia.

The pain involved in dental procedures is reduced in two ways.  For one, your body is more receptive to local anesthetic, which is used to numb the area where the procedure is performed. One of the greatest benefits of sedation dentistry is that it relaxes the body. Because the body tenses when the patient is fearful or anxious, much of the pain involved from dental procedures is the result of the prolonged muscle tension. When the body is relaxed, muscle tension does not occur, so stiffness and soreness are not the end result of the dental procedure.

If you are required to have several procedures in one visit or your procedure is going to be long and complicated, sedation dentistry will help keep you relaxed through the entire thing.

Candidates

Anyone may enjoy the benefits of sedation dentistry, but it is extremely beneficial for the following reasons:

• Post traumatic experience
• Need for complex procedures
• Difficulty swallowing
• Strong gag reflex
• Resistance to numbing during procedures
• Extreme fear of dental procedures

Using either a sedative or laughing gas during your dental procedure can change you perception of how you feel about going to your appointment. Don’t let the fear of pain or of general dental procedures keep you from having the best oral health you can have.

If you believe you may benefit from dental sedation and you are in the Sonora, Stockton, or Modesto, California area, please contact experienced sedation dentist Dr. Berger for an initial sleep dentistry consultation.