Sedation Dentistry: Anxiety-Free Dental Care for Bloomfield Hills Families
Sedation Dentistry Gives Patients a Positive Experience
Many people genuinely fear visiting the dentist, so they put off routine care or necessary repairs. Their oral health and self-esteem deteriorate. We have created a warm, inviting environment with little touches like blankets, pillows, and music to make patients feel comfortable.
Sedation dentistry allows Dr. Banda to provide nervous patients with comprehensive care in a soothing, calm atmosphere. Even patients with extreme nervousness can relax and rest during treatment. We offer both IV sedation and oral conscious sedation to accommodate your specific needs.
IV Sedation
Think it's impossible to relax at the dentist's office? Reliable intravenous (IV) sedation techniques let you rest comfortably while receiving the dental care you need and want. If fear of the dentist keeps you from the necessary treatment, ask us about IV sedation to ease you through any procedure. Continue reading to learn more about IV sedation, who makes a goof candidate, and its benefits.
What Is IV Sedation?
IV sedation, as the name suggests, is delivered directly into the bloodstream. This means that patients feel the effects of the sedative almost immediately. Someone getting IV sedation remains away throughout the entire procedure, but likely won’t remember much due to the deep state of relaxation that they are in. While you are under sedation, we closely monitor blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate. Dr. Banda and his team are certified in A.C.L.S. (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), so you can rest assured that you are perfectly safe.
Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?
While mostly used for oral surgeries or time-consuming procedures, IV sedation can alleviate severe anxiety and phobias associated with dentists, needles, and drills to make any dental procedure pleasant. In addition, patients with sensitive gag reflexes and those with TMJ problems or other neuromuscular disorders that make it hard to keep their mouths open for long periods of time often benefit from IV sedation. We will consult with you to determine your anxiety level and decide whether IV sedation is safe for you, based on medical history and present health conditions.
The Benefits of IV Sedation
Those who get IV sedation can experience a variety of benefits. Here are some of the most prominent ones.
- Quick: The effects set in very quickly because the medication is administered intravenously.
- Constant: We control the flow of medication, giving patients a constant state of relaxation.
- Amnesia: IV sedation prevents additional stress-related memories associated with the dentist.
- Dental Care: Patients with dental phobia and other issues can receive the essential dental care they need for their smiles to thrive!
Oral Conscious Sedation
Thanks to oral conscious sedation, you can say goodbye to the dental anxiety that may be stopping you from getting your smile the care it deserves. As the name implies, you will remain conscious while under the effect of the sedative; however, you will be so deeply relaxed that you will remain unbothered by anything going on around you. For more details about oral conscious sedation and how it works, read below.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
The key to oral conscious sedation is a special pill prescribed by our team. You will be instructed to take this pill before your appointment so that it can take effect by the time we are ready to start working on your smile. Since oral conscious sedation does not involve needles, many patients see it as a more comfortable alternative to IV sedation.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
Oral conscious sedation puts you in a deep state of relaxation where time seems to pass faster than normal. The medication will not put you to sleep, but you might be drowsy enough to doze off; we can easily awaken you if this happens.
You’re likely to start feeling the effects of the sedative before you get to our office, and they will continue to linger for a while even after your treatment is complete. As such, you should have an adult you trust drive you to and from our office. Additionally, be sure to make arrangements to have someone keep an eye on you at home while you’re recovering.
Once the effects of oral conscious sedation wear off, you may find that you don’t recall much, if any, of what happened during your appointment. This can be good news for patients who have had negative experiences involving the dentist in the past.
Who is a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is commonly recommended for those who suffer from dental fear or anxiety. However, it can also be a good fit for those who:
- Have a strong gag reflex that can potentially hinder or prevent important dental procedures.
- Need to have multiple treatments performed during the same visit.
- Require a particularly complex type of dental treatment.
- Have difficulty sitting still in the dental chair due to certain physical ailments.
- Are resistant to becoming numb with a local anesthetic.
Note that oral conscious sedation may not be a good choice for certain patients, such as pregnant women or individuals who are allergic to the medications used. If you’re interested in having oral conscious sedation administered at our office, our team will need to carefully review your health history and consider your unique situation before confirming whether you’re a viable candidate for this service.
