We can offer 3 modes of sedation: Nitrous oxide, Oral sedation and IV sedation.
NITROUS OXIDE
This is an effective and very safe method of relaxation. Some patients describe their experience as a floating sensation during a pleasant dream. For fearful and anxious adults or children, nitrous oxide can be the key to receive necessary dental treatment.
What is nitrous oxide?
Nitrous oxide is also known as “laughing gas”. It is used with pure oxygen to reduce stress and fear. Nitrous oxide has calming and relaxing properties on the brain. Colorless and almost odorless, nitrous oxide has an analgesic (pain control) and anxiolytic (stress control) effect.
Is nitrous oxide safe?
TOTALLY. Nitrous oxide is completely eliminated from the body after the sedation session. This means you can go back to your normal routine. The beneficial effects of nitrous oxide are even highly recommended to reduce the stress of patients with certain diseases such as angina, hypertension or have had a heart attack in the past. Unlike IV sedation or general anesthesia, sedation with nitrous oxide allows the patient to remain fully conscious.
Is it safe for children?
ABSOLUTELY. Some children need sedation to help them during dental treatment. Nitrous oxide is a safe and predictable technique of sedation for the treatment of children. It allows your child to have a positive memory of his visit to the dentist. The American Academy of Pediatric
Dentistry approve this affirmation and the use of Nitrous oxide with children. Your child will be on cloud 9!
Do I need to be accompanied?
No, you can return to your normal activity right after the session. Nitrous oxide will be quickly eliminated by your body before you leave the operators room.
What are the other benefits of Nitrous Oxide?
Laughing gas increases the patient’s tolerance for a longer appointment and reduces the gagging reflex. Some patients are harder to numb. Nitrous oxide can help achieve a more profound local anesthesia. Those advantages are important factors to considerate when doing a treatment.
Can I eat before having nitrous oxide?
Fasting is not required with nitrous oxide. However, we recommend a light meal 2 hours prior to the appointment.
ORAL SEDATION
Sometimes, oral medication can be given to a patient in order to control their anxiety. It might also be combined with IV sedation or Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for a better result.
Please remember that in this situation the patient needs to be accompanied by a responsible adult.
IV SEDATION
Intravenous sedation involves administering sedatives via a vein in order to promote relaxation and reduce nervousness and discomfort. (This is not a general anesthesia as you will not feel nauseous after the procedure.) During IV sedation you will enter a deep relaxation state with amnesia. This means your semi-consciousness will allow you to follow simple instructions but you will not remember what happened. Patients are usually sleeping under IV sedation but could be awake at different stages of the sedation. A local anesthetic will also be performed after administering the intravenous sedative.
Dr. Vallee is the only general dentist in Franklin County and one of only a few in Vermont that can provide IV sedation for teeth or impacted wisdom teeth extractions. Dr. Vallee obtained an endorsement of authority from the Vermont Dental Board to employ conscious sedation.
A major advantage to using IV sedation is a rapid onset that works every time. Another advantage is that you will have partial to complete amnesia (no recollection of the procedure or the length of time that you were under sedation) after the procedure. We most likely will use IV sedation for extraction of your wisdom teeth. Management of discomfort and anxiety in the dental patient is our goal in our office. Many techniques of fear, discomfort, and anxiety control are available to the health care professional. Which ones, if any, are used is a very personal choice. Some dentists are comfortable using a technique that others might be comfortable using. Having several techniques available at his or her disposal enable the dentist to tailor the appropriate sedation technique to a given patient.
Is IV sedation safe?
When administered by an experienced clinician with proper training and accepted protocol, sedation is a very safe and predictable. The medications used have a long history of safety and are short-acting. To avoid possible airway compromise, patients with severe upper respiratory compromise, such as severe cold with stuffy nose and productive cough are best to postpone the surgery until they feel better.
We provide full monitoring during anesthesia including EKG, blood pressure, pulse rate, pulse oximeter (measures oxygenation) and CO2 monitoring.
The facility is equipped with emergency equipment and medications and the entire team is trained to manage any possible complications quickly and properly. The surgeon is CPR and ACLS certified and can manage any complications that arise effectively and quickly. North Western hospital is in close proximity in the event additional assistance is required.
We will do a pre-operative check-up appointment for any IV sedation case. If you are taking Suboxone, IV sedation might not be as effective as expected.
Pre-operative instructions for IV sedation
▸ Please remember that in this situation the patient needs to be accompanied by a responsible adult.
▸ Patients can’t have any food 8 hours prior to IV sedation.
Don’t be worried anymore for your teeth extractions. Most patients are healthy enough to be a candidate for this procedure. Do not hesitate to ask our team about IV sedation.