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

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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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6 Questions to Ask Your Dentist Before Opting for Sedation

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Sedation dentistry is becoming more common than ever before, as dentists focus on offering a less traumatic and more relaxing experience to their patients.

woman speaking with St. Louis dentist

Dentist anxiety, while it still is one of the most common phobias people have, is less justified in the context of today’s gentle medical practices.

If you are scheduled to receive a certain dental procedure in the near future, you might consider sedation to be an option. You may have heard about others’ experience with it and you are curious about it. The best way to get informed about sedation dentistry is to discuss it with your St. Louis sedation dentist.

Here are the six questions you should prepare for the discussion prior to your procedure to make sure you understand everything you need about your dental sedation options.

Why Would You Recommend Sedation Dentistry for Me?

First of all, you need to see if using sedation for your dental procedure is really necessary. If you are dealing with mild anxiety, your doctor could try other options before giving you sedatives. Some clinics use different methods of relaxation, such as watching movies, listening to music and even enjoying hot towels or a massage while you receive your treatment.

What Sedation Options Do You Offer?

Let your doctor tell you more about each sedation option that you are eligible for. If possible, you will be able to choose between them and make an informed decision. Talk about their effect, the preparations, the associated risks, and so on.

Which Level of Sedation Is Best For Me?

There are different levels of sedation that can be used in dentistry, from nitrous oxide inhalation (laughing gas,) oral sedation (pills,) IV sedation or even general anesthesia. Depending on the complexity and length of the procedure and your capacity to sit still for a long time, your St. Louis sedation dentist will recommend the best option for you.

How Experienced Are You in Dental Sedation?

Not all dentists can perform all types of sedation. They need to be trained by specific institutions to perform general anesthesia or IV sedation, for example. Sometimes, your doctor will work with an anesthesiologist who can focus exclusively on your sedation and vital signs, while the dentist does the procedure.

What Are the Associated Risks of This Type of Sedation?

After discussing your medical history with your doctor, they should be able to tell you exactly what the associated risks with the type of sedation chosen for you are. Ask about the measures they are planning to take in case something happens.

How Do I Need to Prepare for the Procedure?

Depending on the type of sedation you will receive, there are certain preparations you need to make before your appointment. Some types of sedation require you to plan for a designated driver to come and pick you up after the procedure. Others require you to not eat for a few hours before the procedure. Make sure your doctor tells you exactly what you need to do before your appointment.

Asking these six questions is very helpful when considering sedation for the first time. Keep yourself well informed and make sure you collaborate with the Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area. Call The Dental Anesthesia Center today at (314) 862-7844 to learn more!

How Long Does Sedation Dentistry Last?

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Sedation dentistry is a great option for the patients who have dental anxiety or have to go through long lasting procedures that require them to sit still for hours at a time.

It is also generally safe to use for children because they often cannot stay still for a long time during the needed treatment.

Sedation Dentistry St Louis

Still, many patients and parents are concerned about the safety of sedation and don’t really know what to expect from it. If you or your child needs a long treatment or if your anxiety prevents you from receiving the needed procedure, your dentist may recommend sedation dentistry. It is therefore important to understand what to expect. While the specifics should be discussed with your dentist, here are some general guidelines.

Before and During the Sedation

You generally need to restrain from eating and drinking anything for six hours before being administered sedatives. That will ensure that your stomach is empty and regurgitated food won’t cause any obstruction of the airways while you are under the sedatives.

Sedatives can be administered intravenously, orally or inhaled. Your St. Louis sedation dentist will discuss the best form of administration for your particular case. If your anxiety levels are very high, you might be asked to take a calming pill before your appointment to ease up the entire process.

You may have to be intubated and wear monitoring devices that help the doctors keep a close eye on your vital signs while you are sedated.

What Will You Feel When Being Sedated?

You will start feeling calm, relaxed, and maybe a bit lightheaded after the sedatives enter your bloodstream. Your arms and legs may feel like they are heavier and soon you will be numb to feel any pain and the doctors can proceed with the treatment.

What to Do after the Procedure?

You will remain in the cabinet for a while after the procedure is complete to be monitored while you recover. It often takes about half an hour for the anesthesia to wear off. You may still feel drowsy and lightheaded for a few hours afterward, so make sure you have someone to transport you home safely and keep you company.

Make sure not to operate vehicles or any dangerous machinery for at least 24 hours after your procedure. You might not respond quickly enough if something happens, and you risk getting injured or damaging your goods.

For these same reasons, it is wise to stay away from cooking for the following 24 hours, as the kitchen can be quite a dangerous place when you are groggy and dizzy. Have someone cook for you or order out and relax for the rest of the day.

We strongly recommend avoiding alcohol, tobacco or other similar substances. Adding more relaxants to your body when it is under the influence or sedatives is not a good idea.

St. Louis Sedation Dentistry


We are the Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area. If you have any questions regarding dental sedation or would like to set up and appointment, give us a call today at

(314) 862-7844.

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How Long Will the Effects of Novocaine Last?

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Novocaine is a local anesthetic that is generally used in dental treatments or small surgeries.

It is ideal for this type of procedures because it has a short-lived effect and can be concentrated in small areas. It’s effect will typically last between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on how the practitioner uses it.

how long novocain lasts

If you are about to have a procedure with Novocaine here is what to expect.

What is Novocaine?

Novocaine is a brand of the local anesthetic procaine, usually used for uncomplicated procedures. It numbs a small localized area, allowing the doctor to perform surgery.

The types of procedures that require the use of Novocaine vary from dental care to small surgery, such as dermatology, ophthalmology, etc. Your doctor will most probably administer this anesthetic when treating a cavity, removing a wart or collecting tissue for biopsy.

A Short History of Novocaine

Novocaine has revolutionized the medical world at the beginning of the 20th century, becoming the first synthetic local anesthetic to be used in the United States. It has allowed doctors to perfect their procedures and increase the quality of treatment received by the patients.

Novocaine replaced cocaine as the local anesthetic, and it had fewer side effects than the drug. In the last decade, with new synthetic anesthesia being introduced, Novocaine lost its popularity, but plenty of dentists and doctors continue to use it.

How Long Do the Effects of Novocaine Last?

If you are worried that Novocaine will not numb you throughout your procedure, it is important to note that while it might be the shortest acting local anesthetic nowadays, your dentist can make it to last longer by administering it together with epinephrine (adrenaline).

The dentist will increase the dosage if needed, or switch to a different drug in case Novocaine is no longer helping.

Novocaine by itself will typically last about 30 minutes while paired with epinephrine it can last up to 90 minutes. Its effects begin 9-10 minutes after being administered through an injection in the tissue.

What Factors Could Influence How Long Novocaine Lasts?

The main factor that dictates how long the drug’s effect will last is the dosage. Your sedation dentist will calculate it for the size of the area that needs to be numbed, how many nerves are present in that area and whether they will use epinephrine or not.

If the Novocaine injection doesn’t seem to work, the dosage will be increased, or the injection will be made in a different area. The doctor might also choose to use something else.

The bottom line is this: Novocaine is a widely used local anesthetic because it is generally stable and safe for patients. Its prolonged effects, when paired with epinephrine, allow it to be used for a broad range of treatments while having minimal side effects.

If you have additional question, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (314) 862-7844.

5 Questions to Ask Before Your First Dental Sedation Appointment

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Here are 5 questions you should ask before your sedation appointment.

For sufferers of dental anxiety, movement disorders, low pain tolerance, and high sensitivity, going to the dentist can be excruciating. Fortunately, these people can turn to dental sedation to get the oral care they need. If this describes you, it is best to do your due diligence before committing to a specific provider in St. Louis. Here are 5 questions you should ask before your sedation appointment.

discussing sedation with dentist

Does Sedation Make Sense For Me?

Though sedation dentistry is a safe and effective practice, it is unnecessary for some patients. If you do not have issues with your regular dental visits, you should probably stick with conventional appointments. The most common situations where you should consider sedation are if you suffer from anxiety, high sensitivity, low pain tolerance, or an involuntary movement disorder. Additionally, patients opt for this type of dentistry when undergoing lengthy procedures. If none of those situations describe yours, your dentist will likely decide that sedation is not right for you.

What Kind of Sedation Will You Use?

In general, dentists use three types of sedation. They are as follows.

Oral – This usually means taking an anti-anxiety pill like Valium and leads to low-level sedation.

Nitrous Oxide – For this sedation method, the dentist will have you inhale a gas throughout your treatment.

IV – With the IV approach, the dentist will inject a chemical straight into your vein. This method is generally used for moderate-high levels of sedation.

Depending on the conditions surrounding your treatment, your dentist will use one of these options or a combination of them. Each of them come with a slightly different experience, so knowing which to prepare for is important. Additionally, if you are uncomfortable with one of those forms, you can discuss this with your dentist.

What Credentials Do You Have?

Medical professionals need to obtain training and certification before administering sedation. While there is next to no chance that your dentist will give sedation without proper documentation, it is still worth your time to ask.

How Long Have You Been a Sedation Dentist?

Another factor to watch out for is experience. Every dentist has to start somewhere, but you probably do not want to be one of their first patients. Instead, look for a provider that has been working on sedated patients for many years. Doing so will ensure top quality service and safety.

What Safety Precautions Do You Take During the Treatment?

If your dentist sedates you anywhere beyond a low level, there are a few low-probability health risks that come with it. That being said, paying attention to vital signs such as heart rate will nearly eliminate that risk. When choosing a dentist, try to find one that monitors you while you’re sedated and knows what to do if things go awry.

When you find a sedation dentist in St. Louis, you should consider asking them the questions on this list before fully committing. Any good dentist will happily answer them in a straightforward manner. Once you have your answers, you can go forward with your appointment as planned.

Call today to schedule an appointment

(314) 862-7844

What to Expect If Your Child Has an Oral Sedation Dental Procedure

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If your child is having a dental procedure involving oral sedation, there is no reason to fear; it generally comes with minimal risks.

Pediatric Oral Sedation

If you have a child who is going to have oral surgery, it is likely that oral sedation might be recommended or even required. Oral sedation might sound intimidating due to the word sedation; but, unlike anesthesia or IV sedation, oral sedation is much less complicated and comes with very few adverse effects or concerns.

What Is Oral Sedation?

Oral sedation is when your child receives oral medication that helps them to be conscious but in a sleep-like state during a procedure. The medicine usually allows them to sleep, but it is possible that they can be completely awake and feel very little and remember little-to-nothing.

Like a magic memory eraser, oral sedation is an excellent way to take away the pain and anxiety of having something like a tooth pulled, so that your child doesn’t have to suffer any emotional distress.

“How Will My Child Behave?”

The oral medication that a child receives during a procedure will usually last after the treatment is completed. Your child can be sent home immediately following its completion without concern. It might be alarming to see your child at first because they can seem incredibly out of it and incoherent, but this should be very short-lived.

Once the medication wears off, they will not remember what happened during the procedure and will be back to their old self.

It is not unusual for your child to talk after a procedure about it, which can also be somewhat concerning. They often will not make much sense and be completely unaware of what they are saying.

Even if they talk about what happened, and what they witnessed, that doesn’t mean that the oral sedation didn’t work. When your child fully wakes up after the medications have worn off, it is unlikely that they will remember a thing.

What to Watch for After Oral Sedation

Take precautions to make sure that your child doesn’t injure themselves after having oral sedation. Since they aren’t fully cognizant of what they are doing, it is best not to let them eat hard foods, especially if their mouth is still numb post-surgery.

Serve only soft foods until you know that they are coherent and also that they have the sensation back in their mouth. Otherwise, there is a risk that they will hurt themselves when chewing.

Also, if they are incredibly groggy, it is essential to observe them. If your child gets up to go to the bathroom or starts to roam the house, things like stairs or tripping hazards can be risky. If they are awake but not very alert, you might want to watch them until you are sure that they are fully conscious.

If your child is having a dental procedure involving oral sedation, there is no reason to fear; it generally comes with minimal risks. The only thing that you might want to be concerned about is watching them afterward until the medications have run their course.

Call The Dental Anesthesia Center

(314) 862-7844