Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry offers many benefits. Lengthy procedures (appointments that take more than an hour to perform) may seem to last for only a few minutes for the patient when under sedation. Furthermore, you may be able to undergo more treatments per visit while sedated, thus reducing the total number of visits required.

More importantly, sedation dentistry can allow patients to regain confidence in themselves because the anxieties that would normally be present are kept under control throughout the painless visit.

Intravenous Moderate Sedation (IVS) – With IV sedation, a sedative is administered directly into a vein. Constant monitoring is involved and your dosage can be quickly modified if needed. Sedation is continuous throughout the entire procedure. You will be disoriented upon waking and should not operate a vehicle or walk alone afterward. Please have a driver bring you to and from your sedation appointment.

Oral Sedation – Another very common technique for sedation is oral sedation.  There are no needles involved and it is very easy. You will be given a prescription for a pill to take about an hour before your appointment. Before your procedure begins, you will be fully relaxed and at ease. Again, we highly recommend that you do not try to drive yourself or walk by yourself to or from your appointment. You will be disoriented and should not operate a vehicle. Oral sedation normally lasts for a few hours, so you may still be disoriented following your appointment.  Please have a driver bring you to your appointment and take you home afterward.

Nitrous Oxide – Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) is the most commonly used method for relieving mild to moderate anxiety during procedures. Its extreme relaxation effects wear off quickly after the completion of the procedure. You may resume your daily activities immediately.

• Sedation Dentistry is Safe: You will not be unconscious, but will merely be in a deeply relaxed state. No intravenous tubes or needles are required.
• Sedation Dentistry is Pain-Free: You will feel no pain while in the dental chair and you will have little to no memory of the experience.
• Sedation Dentistry is Flexible: Depending on the treatment you require and the level of sedation achieved, sedation dentistry can help you remain relaxed for two to six hours.
• Complex Dental Treatments can be Completed in Just One Visit: You can have crowns or bridges replaced, veneers cemented, numerous fillings done, a professional cleaning completed with our hygienist, or numerous teeth extracted; all while you remain comfortably relaxed.

At West Calgary Periodontics, we believe that taking care of your teeth need not be a painful or stressful experience.