Dental anxiety is common, with perhaps 1 in 4 adults suffering from this fear. Unfortunately, too many people allow their fear of dental work to interfere with their oral health.
Our La Mesa sedation dentistry is a safe and effective option for those who prefer not to be fully alert during their dental work. Visiting Dr. Feinberg will ensure that you stay safe and comfortable during the procedure.
Sedation dentistry refers to a range of techniques in which a dentist provides medication to help patients relax during their procedure. This can include anything from minimal sedation, in which you are awake but fully relaxed, to general anesthesia, which is typically reserved for more invasive dental procedures.
There are different types of sedation, and each has a different result and is used for different reasons:
“I've had a fear of dentists since I was a child and since avoided dentists like the plague! My mouth was not in great shape. Dr. Feinberg helped me get over that with the best sedation dentistry in La Mesa. I never would have thought this possible. His sedation dentistry method helped me get my oral hygiene back.”
At your appointment, La Mesa dentist, Dr. Feinberg, will give a drug either before or during your dental visit. There are oral sedatives that can help you relax while you are undergoing a procedure.
It will reduce your nervousness and relax your body to the point where you will feel drowsy. There is also general anesthesia such as nitrous oxide that will render you unconscious for the duration of your dental procedure. You should let Dr. Feinberg know which medications you take on a daily basis as certain medications could interfere with a sedative or anesthesia. As an experienced La Mesa sedation dentist, he will be able to advise you on whether or not to avoid taking your medication before your visit.
IV sedation is a moderate sedation that involves a patient being conscious but not aware of what is going on in her surroundings. An intravenous sedation creates an altered state of consciousness, where your memory and perception of pain are greatly reduced because you are very relaxed and have no discomfort. Many patients believe they have been asleep because they cannot remember what happened during the procedure. The patient is awake but remembers very little. The effects of the sedative can last for several hours after your procedure has been completed.
IV sedation involves the delivery of anesthesia into the vein itself, slowly relaxing the patient. Dr. Feinberg will determine the right amount of sedation. You may feel groggy following your procedure so make sure to have someone drive you home.
Oral sedation involves taking a pill prior to your procedure, producing either minimal or moderate sedation, depending on the dosage. The pill is taken about an hour before your procedure to help make you drowsy and relaxed but remain awake. Some people can fall asleep from the moderate oral sedation but can be awakened with a gentle nudge.
Dr. Feinberg will help ensure that you feel at ease during your dental procedures.
Conscious sedation is part sedative to help you relax, and part anesthetic to block pain during your dental procedure. Conscious sedation can be administered intravenously, and therefore doesn't require much time to take effect. You may also receive oral medication which may take a bit longer to take to produce it's relaxing effect, usually around 30-60 minutes. Most patients remain awake but some do fall asleep. After conscious sedation, you may feel drowsy but can return to your daily schedule soon after your treatment, as the medication used quickly wears off.
Inhaled minimal sedation is one of the most commonly used methods to help patients relax during a dental visit. Also known as nitrous oxide sedation, it is the lightest form of dental sedation, and is effectively used for most dental procedures. You breathe a mixture of nitrous oxide gas and oxygen for a calming and relaxing effect without any pain. You remain awake throughout your procedure and can respond to verbal commands from your dentists unlike unconscious sedation or general anesthesia. This sedation is also referred to as "laughing gas" and has been used for over 160 years.
There are four major types of sedation when you visit our La Mesa dental office:
Mild sedation is low dosage medication that allows you to remain awake but provides a calming comfort while your dentist works on your dental procedure.
Moderate sedation is medication that is a little stronger than a mild sedation but still allows you to be aware of your surroundings and respond to what the dentist asks you to do. You feel a little sleepier with this sedation but that means it's working to help block pain. You may fall asleep but can wake up easily. Some patients, including children, may not remember anything about the procedure.
Deep sedation involves intravenous (IV) medications that help you sleep through the procedure. This sedation helps people who experience high anxiety when going for a dental visit and provides pain relief. Deep sedation makes the process more comfortable. When you wake up, you will feel groggy and need some time for the anesthesia to wear off before leaving the dentist's office.
You are a great candidate for a La Mesa sedation dentistry if your anxiety level spikes at the thought of going to the dentist. Sedation is ideal for someone who is anxious and stressed about the experience of visiting her dentist and has a low pain threshold. There are other patients who can benefit from sedation dentistry, including people with chronic jaw pain, who cannot sit still in a chair, have strong gag reflex, or need stronger sedation because they are not as numb as they should be.
The cost of sedation dentistry depends on which sedation is needed for your specific procedure and what may be covered by your dental insurance provider. It may vary depending on the form of sedation used. Give us a call for more information on the cost and dental insurance coverage. We can also discuss other finance options with you, such as CareCredit.
It takes on average between 20 and 30 minutes for conscious sedation to wear off. The complete effect of the sedation may gradually fade over the next few hours. Most patients return to their normal activities the next day depending on the nature of their work.
Yes, especially if you are going to receive a strong enough sedation. Every individual reacts to sedation differently so it is best to err on the side of caution and have a friend or family member accompany you to your appointment.
Yes, a larger dose of oral sedation can make you so drowsy that you may fall asleep. If you do fall asleep, however, you will be easy to wake up with a gentle shake.
Once you receive the oral sedation, you do not feel any pain. You become relaxed and pain-free through your procedure. Some patients do not have memories of their treatment thanks to the anesthetic effect of the sedation.
Sedation dentistry is a safe, compassionate option for those people whose dental anxiety interferes with their ability to visit the dentist.
It is suitable for people with the following problems:
A good dentist ensures that your visit is comfortable from beginning to end, including providing a welcoming office environment, pillows or blankets during your dental procedure, and time to compose yourself after the dental work is complete. A sedation dentist like Dr. Feinberg will ensure that your dental visit is as anxiety-free and relaxing as possible.
One of Dr. Feinberg's best qualities is his ability to listen to his patients' fears and help them find a solution that works for them. It's because of this personal attention and care that Dr. Feinberg offers some of the best sedation dentistry La Mesa and San Diego have to offer. Our staff members work tirelessly to make each patient feel safe and comfortable. Contact us to learn more about why we're known as the best providers of sedation dentistry around.
The first step towards a beautiful, healthy smile is to schedule an appointment.
Please contact our office by phone or complete the appointment request form. Our scheduling coordinator will contact you to confirm your appointment.
Call us Today (619) 462-8550
San Diego Dental Center proudly serves patients from La Mesa, La Jolla, El Cajon & the entire San Diego, CA area.
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Wednesday: 8am - 4pm
Thursday: 8am - 4pm
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