Sedation dentistry is the use of medications (oral, intramuscular, and intravenous) to calm and relax a patient prior to and during the dental procedure. This treatment option allows the dentist to complete the treatment plan in one appointment in a safe and comfortable environment.

Most times, dental procedures may be completed through the use of local anesthesia to “numb” the area of the mouth that is to be worked on. For some patients, however, dentists may choose to supplement the local anesthesia with oral medication or nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Although this treatment modality is sometimes adequate for minor procedures, some patients require a different anesthesia technique termed deep sedation or general anesthesia. Anesthesthetic medications will allow you or your child to “sleep” through the procedure in a safe, controlled, monitored setting.

This technique utilizes a deeper level of sedation through a combination of intramuscular and intravenous medications to allow the treatment to be completed in a safe and comfortable way.

Oral Sedation is the use of oral medications, sometimes in conjunction with nitrous oxide, as a management technique for children or adults with mild fear and anxiety. This technique provides anxiolysis (anxiety reduction) and occasionally amnesia (lack of awareness) during the appointment. Oral sedation typically is not recommended for the severely phobic patient or very young child requiring more than a very minor procedure.

Moderate sedation (previously conscious sedation) is a medication induced level of unconsciousness during which patients respond purposefully to verbal or tactile stimulation. During this depth of anesthesia, no intervention is required to maintain a patent airway (no breathing assistance required).

Deep sedation is a medication induced depression of consciousness during which patients respond purposefully to painful stimulation. Some patients require deep sedation to complete their dental care.

General anesthesia is a medication induced state of anesthesia that allows the patient to be unconscious (asleep) for the duration of their dental treatment. This level of anesthesia is recommended for very young children, the very resistant child, special needs patients, and the dental phobic patient.

The pediatric dentist will meet with the child on an initial visit and determine based on the child’s behavior and course of the appointment which level of sedation is most appropriate. Your pediatric dentist and Dr. Kevin Dincher will be in close communication and determine which type of sedation is best suited for your child.

When conducting sedation/sleep dentistry in the office setting, safety is of the utmost importance. State of the art monitoring equipment, similar to what is used in the operating room will be utilized. The patient’s heart rate, rhythm, blood pressure, breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and temperature will be closely monitored for the duration of the appointment. Dr. Dincher will be with the patient for the duration of the appointment in the treatment room and that will be the ONLY patient being treated at that time under his anesthetic care.