Sedation Dentistry in Thousand Oaks, California

Are you afraid of the dentist? Do you avoid going to the dentist because of the pain, stress, and anxiety? If that’s so, sedation dentistry might be the answer for you.

The staff at Lombard Dental Studio in Thousand Oaks understands that some patients need special services to overcome their fear of dental procedures.

That is why we have created a list of sedation dentistry services that can help ease your fears and make it easier for you to get the dental care you need.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is a type of dental treatment that uses medication to calm a patient before a dental procedure. Sedation dentistry is most commonly used for patients with high anxiety about dental care.

The goal of sedation dentistry is to provide patients with a comfortable experience that allows them to relax, feel less anxious, and be able to complete dental treatments.

With sedation dentistry, you will be awake but relaxed. Sedation dentistry can be done with oral medication or intravenously. Intravenous sedation dentistry may also be called "dental anesthesia." This is a type of conscious sedation dentistry where you will be awake while feeling no pain during the procedure.

General Anesthesia

This is the most extreme form of sedation dentistry. This type of sedation results in your being utterly unconscious during the procedure. 

It is used primarily when there is a high risk of complication (such as an extraction or a root canal) or when dental treatment is expected to take considerable time. General anesthesia is usually only used in a hospital or surgery center and is not used for routine dental treatment.

IV Sedation

This form of sedation dentistry is also referred to as "dental anesthesia," but its effects are similar to oral sedation. 

IV sedation begins with the administration of a tranquilizer or anti-anxiety medication. You will then be administered a small dose of a relaxant that helps to calm you and make you tired.

This relaxant can then be followed by a short-acting anesthetic that helps to make you completely unaware of the procedure. 

IV sedation can be used for many dental treatments, from cleanings to more complicated ones like fillings, extractions, vital work, and root canals. 

Oral Conscious Sedation

This form of sedation dentistry is administered via tablet or liquid. It is often combined with nitrous oxide (also known as "laughing gas") to provide greater relaxation.

Oral conscious sedation is typically used for minor dental procedures. It can also be used for more complicated dental work, like repairing dentures, removing teeth, or doing other procedures that require moving the jaw.

Sleep Dentistry

This is another form of oral sedation dentistry. Sleep dentistry may also be referred to as general anesthesia dentistry. 

Sleep dentistry is typically used for more complicated dental work, such as crowns, dentures, and root canals. It is typically delivered by tablet but can also be delivered by injection. 

Sleep dentistry is considered a type of general anesthesia, but it is less risky than traditional oral or IV sedation because it doesn’t require an anesthetic machine.

As a result, it is typically more cost-effective than other types of sedation dentistry.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry may be ideal for you if you fear going to the dentist. Sedation dentistry may help you feel less apprehensive by providing a more calm, enjoyable dental visit.

Sedation dentistry may also be used as a treatment for those who have chronic dental pain or are very sensitive to pain. It has many benefits, including:

• You won’t have to struggle with extreme anxiety. You’ll be relaxed, calm, and at ease.
• You’ll have reduced sensitivity to pain during dental procedures.
• You can complete a wide range of dental treatments with one or two dentists.
• You can avoid frequent dentist trips by completing all the necessary procedures in one visit.
• Sedation dentistry can provide you with the dental care that you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Dentist Sedation Take?

The time it takes to become sedated depends on the type of sedation you receive. Short-term sedation dentistry takes about 30 minutes to kick in; IV sedation takes about 10 minutes to kick in, and oral conscious sedation takes about 30 minutes to kick in.

How Do You Know When Sedation Dentistry is Right For You?

Sedation dentistry is for people with high anxiety about dental care.

Sedation dentistry can help people with many dental conditions and concerns, including sensitive teeth, loose teeth, dental anxiety, TMJ, braces, and dentures. Some dental procedures can be completed with one or two sedation dentistry treatments.

Lombard Dental Studio’s Dental Commitment To Patients

We are committed to providing high-quality service to every patient who walks through our doors. That is why our office offers dental services, especially sedation dentistry.

Our high skilled and trained team of dental professionals have been providing this service for more than a decade now. We understand that choosing between preventive, restorative, apicoectomy, oral surgery, sedation, sleep apnea treatment, orthodontic, or cosmetic dentistry procedure for yourself can be extremely difficult and overwhelming at the same time.

There are many things to consider, including the procedure type, cost, treatment duration, and recovery time. To help you get started on this incredible journey of beautiful smiles, we have compiled some information regarding the dental cleanings and exams we offer at Lombard Dental Studio in Thousand Oaks, California.