Sedation Dentistry
Enlighten Dental of Vancouver, BC, can administer safe sedation before dentistry procedures to keep anxious patients relaxed and pain-free. Learn how sedation dentistry can help you conquer dental anxiety so you can get the oral care you need.
Am I the Only Person Afraid of Dental Procedures? No. You Are Not Alone When It Comes to Dentistry Fears
Your Comfort and Health Are Our Goals
Dr. Sam Paulos, general dentist, and our entire dentistry team is dedicated to giving you more than just a beautiful smile. We are wholly focused on the strong connection between treating oral health issues and the positive impact they can have on your overall health. Sedation dentistry helps us treat your dental needs as safely and comfortably as possible. Enlighten Dental - Vancouver, BC
Question: Can I Relax Completely in the Dentist Chair? Answer: Yes — With Sedation Dentistry
Requesting light or moderate conscious sedation at our Vancouver, BC, dental practice can make your dental procedure stress-free and pain-free. Here is what sedation can provide you:
Increased Comfort
Our Vancouver, BC, practice offers nitrous oxide gas and oral sedation in the form of a sedative. Sedation blocks the brain's pain sensors so when combined with a local anesthetic, dental sedation allows you to receive the treatment you need without pain or discomfort.
Faster Treatment
Sedation dentistry can allow our team to complete your dental work more quickly, reducing the number of visits you need to make to our office. This is especially beneficial if you need to have multiple dental procedures done during one appointment.
Less Stress
Nitrous oxide and oral sedation can eliminate feelings of anxiety during treatment, even for a simple cleaning. Some patients of our Vancouver practice find that sedation helps them overcome their fear of the dentist's office completely.
Don't Let Your Oral Health Suffer Due to Dental Anxiety Contact Us About Calming Sedation Dentistry
If the mere thought of stepping into a dental office makes you shudder with fear, Dr. Sam Paulos, Dr. Yusef Khadembashi and their team of dentists can help. Our sedation options are safe, gentle, and effective.
Since our dental practice is built on the idea that good oral health can affect the state of your entire body, we encourage you to learn more about how sedation dentistry, whether in the form of inhaled gas or swallowed sedative, can help you receive the dental care you need.
Ready to try sedation dentistry? Use our online form or give us a call to request a consultation or to schedule a procedure appointment. When the time comes, you can relax and let our dentists improve your smile and overall health.
Our Mission Statement
Our dentists wish to educate our patients and lighten the burden the mouth is having on their health. Sedation dentistry can help us help you. Enlighten Dental - Vancouver, BC
Sedation Dentistry Options Offered by Enlighten Dental
These forms of sedation fall under the category of conscious sedation, as you will be relaxed or very drowsy but not asleep or unconscious. You will still be able to talk and communicate with your Enlighten Dental dentist during your treatment.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is a lighter form of sedation. You inhale it through a mask placed over your nose, after which you will feel extremely relaxed. You might even giggle a bit. The sedation wears off very quickly once it is turned off, so you will be able to drive yourself home.
Oral Sedation
This is a prescribed pill that is swallowed before your procedure. It will make you extremely drowsy, but not entirely asleep. You might not even remember anything after the procedure. Unlike with laughing gas, the effects last a while, so you will need a ride to and from our Vancouver, BC, office.
How Do I Choose Which Method of Sedation I Need?
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You will meet with one of our dentists before you undergo any type of treatment at our Vancouver dental practice. During this initial consultation, you and your dentist will discuss your treatment options, your oral health history, and your medical history to determine which type of sedation will benefit you most. It is especially important to tell your dentist about any medical issues so that he or she can determine which method of sedation is the safest and most beneficial for you.
Do You Also Fear Germs?
Relax. We've Got You Covered.
As a dental practice, we provide certain health-related procedures, such as ozone therapy, that can make your visit as safe and stress-free as possible.
Ozone, a negatively charged molecule made of three bonded oxygen atoms, is a natural substance that can speed up the healing process.
When used in the form of a gas or specially formulated water or oil, ozone can kill any harmful germs and bacteria in your mouth that might cause decay or illnesses.
This can stop cavities from forming, improve the health of your gums, and prevent infections from entering your bloodstream through cracks in your teeth or wounds in your mouth.
Is Sedation Right for Me?
If you are considering sedation, be sure to disclose your complete medical history to your dentist first. Our team can assess your unique situation and determine which type of sedating medication is right for you, especially if you experience the following during dental visits:
High Anxiety
Sedation dentistry is a good way to receive the treatments you need without suffering anxiety. Many patients who have had traumatic dental experiences or a fear of needles benefit from dental sedation.
Difficulty Staying Still
Sedation dentistry can help if you have health issues that make it difficult to control your movements. Sedatives are also a good choice for patients who experience discomfort when they sit still for long periods.
Resistance to Numbing Anesthesia
If you have had trouble with local anesthetics in the past, combining them with sedation can help to create a more comfortable dental experience by reducing your resistance to numbing anesthesia.
Dental Sensitivity
Patients who suffer from severe dental sensitivity may struggle to undergo even routine cleanings. With nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedatives, you can stay up to date on preventive care.
Strong Gag Reflex
If you have a strong gag reflex, sedation options can help. Gagging can often make patients feel nauseated which can be a reason they avoid the dentist. Sedation helps to minimize this reflex and helps patients avoid gagging.
Don't Let Oral Health Issues Get Worse
The longer you leave oral health concerns untreated, the more likely they are to spread and cause more damage. If you have postponed dental treatment due to fear or anxiety, sedation can be a good way to get your oral health back on track.
Our team at Enlighten Dental is dedicated to helping our clients achieve optimal health. In addition to offering sedation, we will work closely with you to answer all your concerns and provide any accommodations that can help make your visit more comfortable.
To find out if sedation is right for you, contact us online or call us at:
(604) 876-9228
What to Expect After Sedation
It is important to remember that sedation affects everyone differently, and some forms of sedation wear off faster than others.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a mild form of sedation. It works quickly and wears off quickly once you stop inhaling it. Because of this, most patients are able to drive themselves home and resume their normal daily activities soon after treatment.
Oral Conscious Sedation
The effects of oral conscious sedation last much longer than nitrous oxide, and can take several hours to completely wear off. This means you will need a responsible adult to drive you home. Usually, patients are back to normal within 24 hours.
While serious side effects from sedation are rare, you should contact our Vancouver office or your primary doctor immediately if you believe you are experiencing adverse reactions. During your initial consultation, your dentist will discuss the risks and possible side effects.
"Sedation dentistry can help reduce your anxiety and make undergoing treatment easier so you can get the dental care you need."
