Many patients who experience dental anxiety find that sedation dentistry makes their dental care comfortable and stress-free.
For many people, visiting the dentist can feel intimidating, especially if you experience dental anxiety or require extensive dental work. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we specialize in sedation dentistry to provide our patients with a stress-free, comfortable experience.
If you’re considering sedation dentistry but are unsure what to expect, this guide will walk you through every step of the process.
Initial Consultation: Planning Your Care
Your journey begins with a thorough consultation where we:
- Review your complete medical history and current medications
- Discuss your dental concerns and anxiety levels
- Explain different sedation options available
- Perform a comprehensive oral examination
- Create a personalized treatment plan
- Answer all your questions about the sedation process
This consultation helps us determine the most appropriate type of sedation for your specific needs and ensure your safety during treatment.
Types of Sedation We Offer
At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we provide several levels of sedation to match your needs:
1. Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
- Lightest form of sedation
- It takes effect quickly and wears off rapidly
- You remain awake but feel relaxed
- You can drive yourself home afterward
2. Oral Sedation
- Moderate level of sedation
- Take prescribed medication before your appointment
- Feel deeply relaxed but remain conscious
- Must have someone drive you home
3. IV Sedation
- Deep sedation administered intravenously
- Monitored continuously by our anesthesia specialists
- Little to no memory of the procedure
- Requires a responsible adult to take you home
4. General Anesthesia
- Deepest form of sedation available
- Completely unconscious during the procedure
- Administered and monitored by board-certified anesthesiologists
- Ideal for complex procedures or severe dental anxiety
- Most comprehensive monitoring of vital signs throughout
- Requires pre-operative evaluation and clearance
- Must follow strict pre-and post-operative instructions
- Recovery supervised in our dedicated recovery area
- Must have someone to drive you home
With the first two board-certified dental anesthesiologist in Missouri, our team offers various levels of sedation tailored to meet the needs of every patient, from mild relaxation to deep sedation or general anesthesia.
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Preparing for Your Sedation Appointment
Before Your Visit:
- Follow all pre-appointment instructions carefully
- Fast for the recommended period (usually 6-8 hours before IV sedation or general anesthesia)
- Arrange for transportation home
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
- Remove contact lenses and jewelry
- Please inform us of any changes in your health or medications
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What to Expect During Your Visit
On the day of your appointment, our team will ensure you’re completely comfortable before starting. Here’s what to expect:
Arrival and Setup
- Our team welcomes you and reviews your paperwork
- Vital signs are recorded
- Any final questions are addressed
- Sedation preparation begins
Monitoring and Safety
- Advanced monitoring equipment tracks your vital signs
- Experienced anesthesia professionals supervise your care
- Emergency equipment is always readily available
- Your comfort and safety are our top priorities
The Dental Procedure
- Sedation is administered and adjusted as needed
- Dental work is performed while you’re comfortable and relaxed
- Our team communicates with you throughout (even under sedation)
- Treatment progress is carefully documented
We’ll provide aftercare instructions to help you recover comfortably and ensure your oral health is on track.
Recovery and Aftercare
Immediate Recovery
- Monitored in our recovery area until alert
- Vital signs checked regularly
- Clear post-care instructions provided
- Escort contacted when you’re ready to leave
At Home Care
- Rest for the remainder of the day
- No driving or operating machinery for 24 hours
- Follow all post-procedure instructions
- Take prescribed medications as directed
- Contact our office with any concerns
Follow-Up Care
Your care doesn’t end when you leave our office. Our team will contact you the day after your procedure to ensure you’re recovering well and address any questions or concerns you may have. During this follow-up, we’ll review your recovery progress, schedule any needed follow-up appointments, and provide additional care instructions if necessary. This personalized attention helps ensure your complete comfort and satisfaction with your sedation dentistry experience.
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The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
