St. Louis Sedation, Sleep & Special Needs Dentistry :: The Dental Anesthesia Center

Sedation Dentistry

Can I Be Sedated for General Dental Work?

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Nearly 75% of adults in the U.S experience some sort of fear with regards to visiting the dentist. Of these, as many as 10% have an intense enough fear to be considered a dental phobia.

Many people have anxiety, even fear, over having dental work done. Something as routine as having their teeth cleaned can be a terrifying experience. A lot of people who have this phobia would prefer not to have any dental treatment done, but this can lead to many problems.

The frustrating thing about dental phobia is that people with these feelings have an awareness that their fear is irrational, but they cannot do much about it. If you feel this way, you are not alone. Nearly 75% of adults in the U.S experience some sort of fear with regards to visiting the dentist. Of these, as many as 10% have an intense enough fear to be considered a dental phobia.

If you avoid going to the dentist, sedation dentistry is an excellent way to take away a measure of your anxiety. Sedation is used for any type of dental treatment, from a simple tooth cleaning to invasive procedures.

Understanding Sedation Dentistry

To help patients relax during a dental procedure, sedation dentistry uses medications. It is sometimes referred to as sleep dentistry, although this can be misleading because, except for general anesthesia, patients are awake.

The different levels of sedation include:

  • Minimal sedation – The lightest level of sedation, you are awake but are relaxed.
  • Moderate sedation – You are still able to respond to questions.
  • Deep sedation – Using general anesthesia, you will have no memory of the procedure.

Types of Sedation Methods Used

There are several different types of sedation methods. The method used for a patient is determined on the patients:

  • Medical history
  • Current physical
  • Mental health

The different methods include:

  • Inhaled minimal sedation – For this method, nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, combined with oxygen through a mask, helps you relax.
  • Oral sedation – This method can range from minimal to moderate. For minimal sedation, you will be given a pill to take, usually about an hour before the procedure. It will make you drowsy, but you will still be awake. For moderate sedation, a larger dose may be given.
  • IV sedation – You receive the sedative drug through an IV, this method works more quickly, and it allows the dentist to adjust the level.
  • Deep sedation and general anesthesia – You will take medications that will make you either almost unconscious or totally unconscious.

When you come to The Dental Anesthesia Center for your appointment, Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Thoms or Dr. Daugherty will decide which level is best for you.

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The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

Don’t Let Dental Fear Keep You from Getting the Treatment You Need

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Modern and safe anesthesia techniques can allow you to have dental procedures done without the anxiety associated with dentistry.

It is estimated that between 9% and 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist due to anxiety or fear. So if you fear going to the dentist, you are definitely not alone.

Sometimes the term dental phobia is used interchangeably with dental anxiety, but dental phobia is a more serious condition. People with dental phobia are terrified of going to the dentist. They typically understand that their fear is irrational, but it doesn’t help change the way the feel.

Whether it’s dental fear, anxiety, or phobia, patients with these feelings usually don’t go to the dentist until forced to do so because they are in extreme pain.

What Causes Phobia and Anxiety?

There are a number of reasons why a person may be nervous or scared of going to the dentist. Some of the most common reasons include:

  • Fear of pain: This is a very common reason. This fear generally stems from a dental experience that was painful or unpleasant, perhaps when the person was a child. Others may have heard dental “horror” stories from friends or family members. Fortunately, advances in dental procedures can make a person’s experience pain and anxiety free.
  • Fear of having an injection or fear that it won’t work: There are a lot of people who are actually terrified of needles. Others fear that the anesthesia won’t work or that it will wear off during a procedure.
  • Anesthetic side effects: Some patients are afraid of the potential side effects of anesthesia like feeling faint, dizziness, or nausea.
  • A feeling of helplessness or loss of control: It’s not uncommon for people to feel this way when sitting in the dentist chair. They fear it because their mouth is open and they can’t see what’s going on and they fear not being in control of the situation.
  • Embarrassment: Many people self-conscious about their teeth. When people put off going to the dentist and minor problems turn into major issues, it compounds the effect, making it even more difficult the longer they wait.

How Sedation Dentistry Can Help

Your oral health is so important and letting a minor problem turn into a more serious issue only makes the situation worse. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, modern and safe anesthesia techniques can allow you to have dental procedures accomplished without the anxiety associated with dentistry.

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St. Louis Dental Phobia Dentist

If you have not been to the dentist because you suffer from moderate to severe dental phobia, Dr. Michael J. Hoffmann, Dr. Sean M. Thoms, and Dr. Victoria Q. Daugherty are here to help you. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver gentle dental care that you deserve. Call to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844.

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7 Dental Fads You Might Want to Avoid

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If you are looking for alternative solutions because of anxiety related to going to the dentist, consider sedation dentistry.

Being on the Internet can easily convince you that wonder products exist and they will change your life. Dental care is no exception. You might have already heard about some of the following practices that are supposed to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful with little cost and usually a little DIY effort.

Some people look for alternative dental solutions because they have anxiety or fear of going to the dentist. Unfortunately, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Many of these dental fads are not effective, or are even harmful for your teeth. In addition, relying solely on these techniques may lead to dental problems.

Oil Pulling

An ancient practice in terms of oral care is oil pulling. It involves swishing oil in your mouth for about 20 minutes. The oil is supposed to collect all the bacteria on your teeth and gums, making it easy for you to just flush it afterwards. While oil does remove some of the plaque on your teeth, relying only on oil pulling will eventually lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

Rinsing Your Teeth with Hydrogen Peroxide

In the search of the whitest smile, people try easy at-home remedies, like rinsing their teeth with hydrogen peroxide, a common ingredient in whitening products. This practice can be very harmful in the long-run, weakening the enamel.

Brushing Your Teeth with Activated Charcoal

Often seen on Instagram, this trick can be damaging for your teeth. Using activated charcoal for your teeth corrodes the enamel and will eventually leave your teeth vulnerable to cavities.

Wearing Tooth Grills and Gems

Grills will cause micro cracks and scratches on your teeth, and wearing gems can create breeding places for bacteria.

Using Coconut Oil to Treat Canker Sores

Canker sores can be very annoying, and coconut oil as a remedy seems quite harmless, but it doesn’t really make the healing process faster. If you have persistent sores in your mouth, see a dentist who can evaluate them.

Using Fluoride-Free Toothpaste

Anti-fluoride seems to be part of a wider trend that fights allopathic solutions, but fluoride, besides being present naturally in the environment (in low quantities), is also one of the best ways to prevent cavities.

Brushing Your Teeth with Lemon Juice and Baking Soda

Another dangerous habit is brushing your teeth with lemon, baking soda or a combination of the two. Lemon is highly acidic and baking soda very abrasive, so using the two will result in creating micro-scratches on your enamel, then attacking them with acid.

There’s nothing wrong with trying out some new things if you believe they are good for your health, but doing a little research on these subjects is enough to show you what’s truly effective and what’s only an internet fad.

If you were looking for alternative solutions because of anxiety related to going to the dentist, consider sedation dentistry – it is often the best solution to get the much needed dental treatment for patients who don’t like being in the dreaded chair.

5 Oral Drugs Commonly Used in Sedation Dentistry

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Oral sedatives that can keep the patient awake while still having the desired calming effect.

Anxiety and fear of going to the dentist continues to persist despite the modern advances in dentistry. Therefore, the use of oral sedatives in sedation dentistry has established efficacy and safety for managing dental anxiety.

There are many types of sedation used in sedation dentistry, ranging from mild sedation administered through a breathing mask to general anesthesia administered intravenously. In between, you have a range of oral sedatives that can keep the patient awake while still having the desired calming effect.

If you are not sure what substances are used during sedation dentistry, here is a list of the most common oral drugs that a sedation dentist may prescribe for your dental treatment.

Midazolam (Versed)

Midazolam is the most commonly used drug in oral sedation dentistry, and it is considered very safe, inducing only a mild form of sedation. The only precaution needed when administering midazolam is to reschedule the patients who have respiratory infections on the day of the intervention, as this drug has a higher impact on the respiratory tract than on the circulatory system.

Diazepam (Valium)

One of the drugs almost everyone heard about is diazepam (Valium). It is used in a wide range of medical interventions, including as an oral sedative for dental surgery. The time it takes for diazepam to only remain in a 50% concentration in the patient’s system is longer than with other drugs, which makes it the choice preferred for long, complex dental operations.

Triazolam (Halcion)

For patients who have a hard time going to the dentist because of their associated anxiety, triazolam is often the doctor’s choice. Primarily a drug that fights insomnia, it has an effect on the patient’s anxiety level and helps them go through the procedure without remembering it afterward, which allows them to be unaffected by their dental anxiety and come back next time.

Lorazepam (Ativan)

Another benzodiazepine with amnesic properties, like Diazepam, lorazepam is very useful in patients with anxiety, allowing them to go through their dental treatment without the effects of their anxiety.

Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine that also acts on the patient’s anxiety levels. It is used short-term to treat anxiety or to help a patient feel sleepy or relaxed before a dental procedure.

As you can see, there are many drug options if your St. Louis sedation dentist recommends oral sedation for your dental procedure. Which drug will be chosen depends on how long it takes for the medicine to get out of your system, your allergies and sensitivities, and what is needed from the sedation itself.

St. Louis Sedation Dentistry

For more than 25 years, the Dental Anesthesia Center has combined sleep dentistry and cutting-edge technology to help patient overcome fear and health issues that have kept them from seeking dental care. We work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.

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What Are the Effects of Laughing Gas?

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st. louis woman being sedated at dentist

Sedation dentistry is becoming more and more popular as people want to receive oral health treatment, but are still struggling with dental anxiety. Even if today’s dental offices are friendly and very customer-oriented, many individuals still experience fear when going to the dentist, which is often preventing them from getting the needed treatment.

Let’s talk more about sedation dentistry, laughing gas, the myths surrounding it and what to actually expect when you are going through sedation.

Who Is Sedation Dentistry Meant for?

As said before, sedation dentistry comes as an aid for people with anxiety to get the dental treatment they need, without experiencing a new emotional trauma. Sedation deals with the stress and anxiety felt by people when sitting in the dentist’s chair.

Other people who benefit from sedation dentistry are those who cannot sit still for long, like babies and toddlers or people with motory impediments. Patients who need extensive procedures might also benefit from sedation, as it makes the time go faster and keeps them calm the whole time.

Depending on how severe your anxiety is, how long the procedure is and what is the medical history of the patient, the doctor will recommend the proper level of sedation. For routine or simple procedures that don’t need much time, the dentist may prescribe laughing gas for sedation purposes.

What Is Laughing Gas?

Laughing gas is the common name of nitrous oxide, a gas that is used in dentistry to mildly sedate patients. It is administered through a breathing mask and it keeps the patient calm, even in a good mood, throughout the procedure.

Nitrous oxide works by triggering the production of dopamine in the brain, which makes you relaxed and euphoric. People will feel happy while under the laughing gas, which might get them to laugh if they are particularly giddy at that moment. But it’s not a general rule.

What Are the Effects of Laughing Gas?

Nitrous oxide will have an immediate effect on the patient, making him calm and euphoric, but conscious all the time. It may induce mild hallucinations and sound distortion, which can be entertaining for people under its effect. Unfortunately, it could also have a few side effects like headaches or dizziness, but all the effects of laughing gas will generally go away immediately after the procedure.

How Should You Prepare for a Procedure Under Inhalation Sedation?

Laughing gas induces mild sedation and its effect lasts for a very short time. It is recommended for a large group of patients, with minimal risks. It doesn’t need much preparation before the procedure, but it’s recommended that you don’t eat a large meal just before the dentist appointment. Speak with an experienced dentist about the benefits and risks of laughing gas.

Laughing gas may be depicted as a hilarious dentist prop, but it’s not always laughter-inducing. What it does give you is a calm feeling that will help the dentist treat you without causing too much discomfort.

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The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

Stress-Free Dental Sedation for Children

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child with no cavities at dentist

Dental problems in children are a cause of concern for any parent. We want to give our little ones the best start in life, and good oral health education starts early on. However, with all our efforts to keep their teeth clean, they may still need a procedure done at the dentist.

So how will you make an infant, a toddler or a preschooler sit still in the dentist’s chair? The solution may be sedation dentistry, along with patiently educating them along the way about oral health.

No matter how well behaved our children are, or how much we insisted on preparing them gently for what’s about to come, some procedures are simply too lengthy or complex for children to be able to sit still during the whole thing. So what are the sedation options you have?

Laughing Gas (Nitrous Oxide)

Generally, the mildest type of sedation your kid can receive is laughing gas – nitrous oxide that is inhaled through a face mask. Its effect lasts shortly and it keeps the patient calm and in a good mood, but it only works well with cooperative patients. If your child is too young or too anxious to go through the procedure with only laughing gas, other options will likely be taken into consideration.

Oral Sedation

Taken in the form of a pill or a syrup before the procedure, oral sedation has longer effects than laughing gas, requires proper preparation hours before the procedure and it may have more side-effects and associated risks. The disadvantage of oral sedation is that the dose cannot be adjusted along the way.

IV Sedation

This is the most common type of sedation used in young children, as it has a stronger effect than the previous ones, keeping the child calm and still, and the dose can be adjusted along the way.

General Anesthesia

If your child is too anxious and cannot be treated while conscious, general sedation will be taken into consideration. The child will be asleep during the whole process and it might take hours before the effects of the sedative fade away. Special care is needed before and after general anesthesia.

Specific Risks of Sedation in Pediatric Dentistry

When it comes to children, you need specialized doctors who know how a child’s body reacts to certain medications. Extra precautions will be taken because of the tighter airwaves of a young patient and certain allergies and conditions that might affect the treatment.

If your child needs extensive dental treatment or they are so anxious that it’s impossible to keep them on the dentist’s chair, talk to your St. Louis pediatric dentist about sedation options and what you need to know about the one that fits your child’s case.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844