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.


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.


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.

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.


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.


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.


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.