Sedation Dentistry
Aurora, CO
 We can complete your dental treatment and help you feel calm and relaxed. You do not need to avoid important procedures due to fear or anxiety. Conscious sedation provides a wonderful balance between being awake yet under moderate levels of sedation. Larger procedures that require general anesthesia are also available when needed. If you do not feel comfortable having dental procedures completed, including root canal therapy, scaling, or more, you are not alone. Our dedicated team at Summerbrook Dental Group are happy to assist you.
Sedation dentistry can be referred to with various titles, including ‘twilight sleep’ or ‘sleep dentistry’ as it often brings light amnesia and the patient may even become so relaxed that they fall asleep. Our patients like conscious sedation because:
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Relaxed: Conscious sedatives do not force sleep, but they help the body relax, often bringing a sleepy sensation.
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Reduced Sensitivity: In addition to calming, conscious sedatives reduce sensitivity to pain, especially pain that is exacerbated by anxiety.
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No Forced Sleep: General anesthesia forces the patient into a sleep state, conscious sedatives do not. Patients sometimes fall asleep using a conscious sedative because they feel relaxed.
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More Steps in One Procedure: Sometimes procedures are broken up into multiple treatments because the work can be so stressful to the patient. When a patient is using a conscious sedative we are often able to complete more work in one visit because the patient is not in distress or discomfort. |
Level of Sedation
The levels of sedation range from minimal, moderate, deep, and general anesthesia. Depending on the work being completed, the length of time needed, and the wishes of the patient, we may choose one of the above levels of sedation. We choose the appropriate level of sedation for the treatment being carried out and factors surrounding our patient.
Minimal or moderate sedation means that the patient is awake but in an induced calm state helping them relax. Oftentimes a patient will report not realizing the length of time that has passed, meaning they had a slight amnesia, which is greatly helpful to most patients. Deep sedation may draw you to the edge of consciousness however you can still be awakened. General anesthesia is typically administered during critical surgeries where you will be completely unconscious. General anesthesia is often administered in a hospital setting.
Types of Sedation in Dentistry
We offer various sedation options depending on the work being done. Sedation can be administered multiple ways, including: inhaled sedation, oral sedation, moderate sedation through an IV line, or deep sedation/general anesthesia.
Inhaled Sedation
Inhaled sedation is what we know as laughing gas. Though it won’t actually make you laugh, nitrous oxide blended with oxygen is an inhalant that brings a euphoric sensation.
Oral Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is a pill that is swallowed prior to treatment. We can prescribe various medications including triazolam, zaleplon, or lorazepam.
Intravenous Sedation
Intravenous sedation is mostly used in longer surgical treatments. It is the deepest form of conscious sedation. We administer the prescribed dose of sedatives directly into the bloodstream through an IV line.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is typically completed for larger surgical procedures, or for those with special needs that would benefit from a more induced sleep.
Can Any Dentist Provide Sedation?
Most dentists are able to provide minimal to moderate sedation including nitrous oxide or mild painkillers, however only a handful of dentists can administer deep sedation or general anesthesia. In order to be qualified for the latter, dentists need to complete the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) program.
Sedation is an imperative part of some dental treatments as it can help patients deal with their underlying anxiety and pain. Our team of healthcare providers at Summerbrook Dental Group are qualified in all avenues of sedation dentistry to make sure that your oral care needs are met in all regards. For more information on sedation or to book an appointment with us, do not hesitate to call us at 720-882-9988.
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