Relaxation/ Sedation Dentistry in Hopkins

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is the use of sedation during a dental treatment. Sedation dentistry allows you to experience a state of deep relaxation that helps relieve fear and anxiety. You will be relaxed and comfortable as you sleep through your dental treatment. You will wake up when the procedure is complete.

You will be closely monitored by experienced, dedicated anesthetic professionals. Sedative medications may be added in increments to keep the level of sedation safe and effective. Following the appointment, you will recover quickly from the medications with no memory of the treatment completed.

Sedation dentistry and dentistry treatments at Gendler Dental Center include:

• Nitrous Oxide Gas (Laughing Gas)
• Oral medications
• Intravenous sedation administered and monitored by Doctor Anesthesiologist or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

Sedation dentistry has become a term that many dentists use in their advertisements and to market their practice. Many of these dentists offering only oral medications (sedatives) and/or inhalation agents (such as nitrous oxide) to reduce anxiety. These methods of sedation work well for some patients, but they may not be appropriate for everyone.

Gendler Dental Center dental staff treats each patient as a unique individual and works with them to determine the most appropriate sedation approach. Our goal is to provide you with the highest level of safety and comfort at all times.

What Sets Gendler Dental Care Apart As Sedation Dental Care Providers?

Your safety is ensured by the presence of an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, who constantly monitors your well-being during your dental treatment. Because of this, the dentist can fully focus on delivering excellent dental results.

At Gendler Dental Care we administer sedation dentistry in the following ways:

1. Oral Sedation in pill form
2. Nitrous oxide also known as Laughing Gas
3. Intravenous (IV) sedation

At Gendler Dental Center we customize the type of anesthesia we use to achieve a perfect fit for every patient. In this way, the dentist and the patient are comfortable providing and receiving the best possible dental care – safely and free of stress.

At Gendler Dental Center we deliver successful outcomes by employing a team approach, working closely with a team of dental and medical professionals who share a commitment to patient excellence, safety and compassion. The team includes physician anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists and dental provider who are experienced in delivering care.

Is Sedation Dentistry safe for me?
Before starting any dental treatment, we review your medical history and we monitor you very closely while you’re under sedation. Our physician anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetist are very experienced anesthesia and sedation providers not just in dental office setting, but also at the hospitals.

Please call our office so we can discuss your dental anxieties or needs and figure out the best course of action for you. We’re glad to make recommendations as appropriate, based on our familiarity with dentists in your area.

Will I feel any pain?
Most patients feel no discomfort during their treatment and feel surprisingly good afterwards. If you are feeling pain or anxiety, let your dental care provider know as soon as possible so adjustments can be made.

Will I be totally relaxed?
We will provide you with enough sedation so you’ll be unaware of the dental treatment you’re undergoing.

Will I remember anything?
At the end of the dental treatment, depending on the type of sedation you receive, you’ll have little or no memory of your dental visit.

Will I be groggy after my treatment is over?
You will feel fine however some levels of sedation dentistry require you have transportation to and from your dental care visit.

Will my insurance cover treatment?
We’ll review your insurance coverage and if necessary, make financial arrangements to ensure you get the dental care you need.

What type of sedation is best for me?

At Gendler Dental Center, we want our patients to have the safest and most predictable sedation process. In most cases we recommend Intravenous (IV) Sedation.

MOST RECOMMENDED
When sedation is needed, or requested, IV Sedation is most recommended by physicians, but because each patient responds differently to sedative medications, it is important to work with an experienced dental professional who will fine tune the sedation to each individual.

SAFEST AND MOST PREDICTABLE
IV sedation provides the most predictable sedation. It allows the dental care team at Gendler Dental Center to accurately control the onset and level of sedation. There is no extended waiting time for the onset of sedation and no guesswork involved in achieving a safe and effective level of sedation. IV Sedation gives the best assurance for each patient to have a successful sedation and comfortable appointment.

Types Of Anesthesia

Local Anesthesia: The most frequently used type of anesthesia. Numbs the area being worked on. Local anesthesia is given by injection (although dentists often swab a topical anesthetic gel on the injection site for the patient’s comfort). The numbing effects can last from five minutes to three hours following your dental treatment.

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Inhalation Anesthesia: The most commonly used inhalation agent is Nitrous Oxide or “laughing gas.” Nitrous Oxide is a sedating gas combined with oxygen to make patients feel more comfortable during dental care. A small rubber inhaler is placed over the patient’s nose and adjusted so that the patient breathes through it. With Nitrous Oxide, most patients experience an initial feeling of lightheadedness, which gradually leads to an overall feeling of well-being.

The advantages of inhalation sedation are its rapid onset, lack of lingering effects, the ability of the patient to engage in conversation while under its influence, and the ability of the patient to drive home unassisted.

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Oral Conscious Sedation ~ The patient takes a pill before treatment. The patient becomes sleepy, and develops a diminished awareness of sounds and smells. The effects can last for several hours. You will be monitored during the treatment. Commonly administered oral sedatives include: Valium, Halcion, Xanax and Ativan.

Advantages of oral conscious sedation include:

1. It is easily administered (no needles)
2. Generally has a low incidence of side effects
3. The patient can breathe independently
4. The patient retains the ability to interact with and respond to the dentist.

Disadvantages include:

1. It is not as predictable as IV sedation. To make it clear- it takes time for absorption of mediation through GI tract and different people react differently to medication.
2. It works well for 70% of patients but some people need more and it takes time to see the effect of medication.

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Intravenous Sedation ~ Also known as IV or “conscious sedation.” Patients often think they are asleep and have no memory of the procedure but can respond to the dentist when necessary. IV sedation is a safe, precise, and highly effective technique for management of moderate to more severe levels of dental fear.

This method may also be used for patients who are not physically or behaviorally able to cooperate with dentistry. Commonly used drugs include Valium, Versed, Fentanyl, Propofol and Demerol, either alone or in combinations selected by a doctor. For patients who want to be totally asleep, this modality can become “total intravenous anesthesia,” administered by a specialist while the dentist works.

A major benefit of some of these IV drugs is amnesia. The patient will have no memory of most, or even all, of the dental treatment. Another benefit is the comparatively quick recovery time. Most patients relax and have a light meal the evening following treatment.

During the procedure, the patient’s breathing, blood pressure and heart rate will be monitored. e. At the Gendler Dental Center, IV sedation is administered by a physician anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, optimizing the safety of the procedure.

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Intramuscular Sedation ~ Sedative drugs are injected into the muscle of the upper arm or the thigh, quickly producing sedation. Intramuscular conscious sedation is rarely used to sedate adults, but is commonly employed in the management of fearful children.

How does the sedation process work?

Prior to any sedation dentistry procedure, you will meet with your dentist at Gendler Dental Center who will discuss the treatment plan and your sedation dentistry options.

Consultation and review
Your treatment starts by having a complete and thorough review of your medical history. You will meet with your doctors to discuss the treatment plan and any concerns you may have.

Be advised, if necessary, you will need to consult with your physician(s) regarding all medical conditions and medications.

For your sedation appointment, you will need to arrange to have a family member or other responsible adult drive you home from your appointment.

Your questions are answered
Prior to your treatment and sedation you will meet with Dr. Gendler and our professional staff. They will answer your questions, address your concerns and provide you the information you need to prepare for your sedation dentistry appointment.

The staff and dentists at Gendler Dental Center want you to have your questions and concerns addressed completely.

Your appointment
Before the dental procedure, an IV will be started which will quickly put you into a state of deep relaxation. You will be carefully monitored by nurse anesthetist and staff with the assistance of hospital grade monitoring equipment to ensure your level of sedation is safe and constant throughout your dental appointment.

After your dental procedure is complete, you will find you recover quickly from the sedation. You will wake up refreshed and with the knowledge that your dental treatment appointment is over and your treatment successfully completed.

After your appointment
We will continue to monitor you once your dental treatment is complete to determine when you may be safely released to the person responsible for your ride home. You may feel capable of driving yourself, but your safety is our most important concern and because of that you will need transportation to and from your sedation dentistry appointment.

At Gendler Dental Center, we understand the anxiety and fears many people have regarding dentistry.

Having performed hundreds of successful sedation procedures for our patients, we have the training and experience to provide you a truly comfortable and positive dental experience. By using the most predictable form of sedation, you can be confident your treatment will be completed with comfort and ease.

With sedation dentistry performed at the Gendler Dental Center, you don’t have to be afraid to go to the dentist.

Sedation Dentistry is an ideal solution if you have:

• Anxiety or fears associated with dentistry
• Had an unpleasant experience at the dentist
• Sensitive teeth and gums
• Difficulty getting numb
• A sensitive gag reflex
• Complex dental treatment needs
• A need for dental surgery

Sedation dentistry is an ideal solution when the patient desires to have extensive or multiple procedures completed in the fewest number of appointments.

Who should try sedation dentistry?

Every patient is unique. If you have avoided the dentist because of paralyzing fear, if you have suffered a traumatic dental experience you will avoid seeking dental care.

Some people put off going to the dentist because they don’t have the time. Other people have a low pain tolerance or resistance to the numbing injections most dentists use. Some dental patients can’t control a gag reflex and still others are too embarrassed about the condition of their teeth.

No matter your reason, there’s no need to feel embarrassed or to let pain stop you from seeking dental treatment.

Dr. Gendler and his team of dental professionals in Hopkins, MN often see patients who have not been to a dentist in years. It’s not unusual for us to see patients who require extensive, complex treatment. The good news is that with sedation dentistry, we can usually accomplish complete care and restoration in one comfortable, anxiety free visit.

I’m afraid to come to your office alone. May I bring someone with me?

Yes. Bring a reassuring companion, spouse or parent to your dental treatments and examinations. Let us know other ways in which we might make you feel more comfortable.

Even a routine cleaning causes me pain. Can you help me?

Gendler Dental Center focuses on completing procedures with minimal or no discomfort. We will work with you to find the best anesthesia solution for your comfort. You may even request sedation dentistry for your regular dental examinations and check-ups.

I haven’t been to the dentist in decades, how many appointments will I need?

Many of our sedation patients visit us only a few times- once for a consultation, the second time for dental treatment and third time for necessary follow-ups which vary depending on the dental treatment you’d undergone.

During your consultation with the team we will work with you to get your dental history, understand your dental fears and what you want to accomplish with your dental health.
The second visit will focus on completing your treatment plan. The third visit is a treatment completion with final adjustments.

Most dental needs can be taken care of in a few appointments in our office. During every appointment and dental treatment, our goal remains the same: to provide you the most positive dental experience possible.

I don’t live in Minnesota; can you recommend a dentist?

Many of our patients travel from across the country to receive treatment at our office in Hopkins, Minnesota. The reason for this is that we are one of only a few dental practices that provide a full array of anesthesia. Because of this and because of the dental treatment plan you choose, our dental staff can complete your treatment in one day.

How do I become a patient of Gendler Dental Care?

Our friendly staff is waiting to hear from you.
We will gather information regarding your health. Then we’ll discuss your specific needs and desires for your dental outcomes. After you’ve talked with our caring dental professionals, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.

Don’t wait any longer. If it’s been a long time since you’ve seen a dentist, your teeth are probably deteriorating at an accelerated rate. Don’t allow more damage to occur. There’s no need to suffer pain. Call Gendler Dental Center today at (952) 213-0369.