Worry-Free Dental Treatment With Dr. Shlafer
For some patients, even the thought of visiting the dentist causes anxiety. Dental appointments are essential to keeping oral health problems like tooth decay and periodontal disease at bay. They also allow us to screen for more serious issues like cancers of the mouth and throat. Dental anxiety is common but can prevent patients from getting the dental care they need which is why Dr. Shlafer provides sedation dentistry to help put you at ease.
If you’re a Michigan patient in Canton, Plymouth, Southfield, Franklin, Beverly Hills, and the surrounding areas struggling to get the dental care you need due to dental anxiety, we offer solutions to help ease your fears.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry focuses on helping patients relax during dental procedures using medication. Unlike general anesthesia, which is typically used for patients undergoing surgery, you are still able to respond to physical touch and verbal stimuli. It can help ease feelings of dental anxiety so you don’t experience fear during your treatment.
Dr. Shlafer offers multiple sedation options at our practice. No matter which option you choose, sedation is guaranteed to help you relax and feel comfortable in the dental chair.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is another method that we can use to help you relax. For this method, we’ll use an IV tube to administer a special sedative that takes effect almost immediately. Though Dr. Shlafer doesn’t perform IV sedation himself, we have a licensed anesthesiologist on call for patients who choose this option.
Dr. Shlafer will monitor your vital signs throughout the procedure to ensure your safety. It’s important to note that you won’t actually go to sleep or lose consciousness during the procedure. You’ll remain awake and alert throughout, able to respond to Dr. Shlafer’s requests as needed. However, it’s common to have little to no memory of your treatment after it’s finished.
While the effects wear off much more quickly than with oral conscious sedation, it is important to arrange for a responsible companion that you trust to drive you to and from your appointment.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Some patients fear needle pricks but with oral conscious sedation, you can experience total relief without using a needle or IV tube. This method involves taking a small pill roughly an hour before your appointment. By the time you arrive at our office, you’ll experience a calming sensation that will help you relax for the duration of your dental care. This enables patients to arrive for their dental appointments completely at ease.
Much like IV sedation, you’ll remain awake and responsive during your treatment, though you won’t remember it after the sedation wears off. The medication you take will begin to take effect before you get to our office and these effects often linger for an hour or two after the procedure is finished. It’s essential that you get a ride home from your appointment as a measure of precaution.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you receive dental sedation from Dr. Shlafer, you can expect a relaxing, stress-free experience for your dental procedure. We offer oral and IV sedation, which is taken either with a type of pill before your appointment or through an IV administered by our licensed anesthesiologist respectively.
With oral sedation, you will remain conscious and awake during your treatment. Many patients may feel like they have dozed off and won’t feel any pain. When you receive IV sedation, you will experience moderate to high levels of amnesia. Our patients typically say they don’t remember their procedure. You’ll need someone to drive you home following the procedure as it will be unsafe to drive until the effects have worn off completely.
We’ll typically use numbing gel for a surgical procedure, so you won’t feel much while our team works on your smile. If you do end up feeling some discomfort, it’s expected to occur after your treatment during your healing period when the sedatives have worn off.
Generally, our patients won’t feel any pain during their dental procedure. By offering sedation dentistry, we‘re capable of providing you with a painless and comfortable procedure.
Yes, sedation dentistry is very safe, especially here at our dental office. Dr. Shlafer is an experienced dentist who can safely deliver sedatives to our patients. We also have an anesthesiologist who is always on call for procedures that require an IV.
It is important to know that sedation dentistry may differ for those who are obese or suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. If this is the case for you, we can discuss these possible issues with you at your consultation.
A good candidate for sedation dentistry is anyone who is scared of the dentist and needs help relaxing for their procedure. If you suffer from dental anxiety or a phobia and are in good health, a sedative will be right for you.
You may also be a great candidate for sedation dentistry if you:
- Have had a previously traumatic dental experience
- Are fearful of needles
- Have overly sensitive teeth or have trouble getting numb
- Gag frequently
- Hate the smells or noises at a dentist’s office
- Are having a more complex dental treatment
