San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
We know how important it is to receive dental care by visiting your dentist once every six months for a professional cleaning and an examination. However, for many people, visiting the dentist can be a stressful—even terrifying—event.
For patients who are apprehensive or frightened about seeing the dentist, Glen Park Dental can offer a safe and comfortable experience through sedation dentistry. By administering oral sedation that comes in the form of a small pill, we can calm a nervous patient, making him or her feel relaxed and comfortable. When using sedation, our team of professionals can do years’ worth of dental treatment in one or two visits—including filling cavities, repairing chipped teeth or installing major restorations such as crowns, veneers, or dental implants.
Is sedation dentistry right for me?
Patients with dental anxiety or dental phobias are considered ideal candidates for sedation dentistry, which also can be a good fit for patients with the following conditions:
- Traumatizing previous dental experiences
- Difficulty responding to local anesthesia
- Extremely sensitive gag reflex
- Fear of needles
- Jaw discomfort during lengthy dental procedures
However, sedation dentistry is not recommended for individuals with the following pre-existing conditions:
- Pregnancy
- Allergy to sedatives
- Central nervous system depression
- Glaucoma
- Resistance to medications (anesthesia)
How should I prepare for a sedation dentistry treatment?
You will need to arrange transportation to and from our office, because of the effects of the sedation.
You should avoid consuming alcohol the day of, or evening prior to, a sedation procedure. Make sure to allot the proper amount of time for a sedation dentistry procedure, as the entire time of sedation could last anywhere from two or more hours, depending on the dental work that is being performed.
Sedation has been known to cause nausea in pediatric patients. If your child is scheduled for a sedation procedure, we recommend giving little or no food prior to the appointment.
What can I expect during sedation?
You will not be completely asleep. You will enter a state of deep relaxation, remaining aware of your surroundings and able to communicate with your dental care team. We will monitor your vital signs at the time of sedation and throughout your entire appointment.
Typically, a patient who receives sedation does not feel any discomfort during treatment and has little to no memory of the procedure.
What treatments can be performed under sedation?
Glen Park Dental can perform a host of procedures while a patient is under sedation, ranging from simple to complex. We even can install dental implants, dentures, crowns, or perform gum surgery or cosmetic treatments.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
We follow sedation dentistry protocols that have been used in the field for more than 30 years. Our dentists are sure to review the medical history of any patient before beginning a sedation process.
Do not let fear or a pre-existing condition deprive you of the dental care you need. For more information about sedation dentistry, contact our office by calling (415) 585-1500.
Glen Park Dental serves patients in San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, California.
