Sedation Dentistry
Are anxiety and fear of dental treatment preventing you from seeking help from a dentist? We know how to assist you so that you feel absolutely comfortable during your appointment. At Tetri’s Smile Dental Boutique, we utilize Sedation Dentistry. While we craft your perfect smile, you will feel completely relaxed in the dental chair.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation Dentistry provides the opportunity to treat even the most advanced dental issues without stress or unpleasant memories.
You quickly enter a state of light sleep. The nervous system is completely relaxed, but autonomic functions are maintained. You breathe on your own (artificial lung ventilation is not required), and you respond to the dentist’s questions and requests. Treatment under sedation involves the use of the same sedative agents as in anesthesia, but in smaller doses. Therefore, recovery after sedation treatment is much faster. Upon awakening, you feel significantly better.
Sedation Dentist
«I exclusively conduct treatment under sedation. Tetri’s Smile Dental Boutique is an accredited clinic for intravenous sedation. We perform all surgical treatments while you’re asleep. We use hypoallergenic sedative medications.
Throughout the procedure, you are completely relaxed. The nervous system remains calm, and all discomfort and anxiety is alleviated. You don’t experience pain even during unpleasant manipulations. The most you feel is the movement of instruments in your mouth. This allows me to carry out treatment smoothly and guarantee successful results.
If the procedure is scheduled to last more than two hours, we provide an anesthesiologist. They will ensure that you feel comfortable throughout the operation, and closely monitor vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.»
Types of Sedation Available at Tetri's Smile
Modern dentistry offers three types of sedation based on the method of administration of the sedative agent: intravenous, inhalation, and oral. Oral is used as auxiliary sedation on the eve of the procedure (not in all cases). It alleviates tension before the procedure and facilitates the administration of intravenous or inhalation sedation.
IV Sedation (Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia/Sleep Sedation)
Intravenous sedation (IV sedation) is an injectable method of sedation with minimal contraindications. The anesthetic is administered intravenously. The effect of general anesthesia takes place within 1-2 minutes. The patient relaxes and enters a medicated sleep throughout the entire procedure. They don’t feel pain, and don’t pay attention to the course of treatment or the instruments that might cause unnecessary stress. The patient wakes up immediately after the procedure ends. Recovery is rapid, and they can go home within 20 minutes. For better pain relief, IV sedation is administered in combination with local anesthesia.
Gas Nitrous Oxide
Inhalation sedation method. A mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen (laughing gas) is used – a colorless gas with a sweet smell. The patient inhales the mixture through a nasal mask. The sedative effect becomes apparent after a few breaths. A feeling of mild euphoria and spontaneous laughter arises. Anxiety disappears. The patient relaxes but remains fully conscious. The sedation effect ends immediately after discontinuing the administration of the agent. Within a few minutes, the patient awakens. They immediately have a good spatial orientation and are ready to go home.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Sedation completely relaxes you before and during the procedure. Negative thoughts fade away. During the treatment, you don't experience any discomfort.
The sedative state takes effect immediately after the administration of the anesthetic. An anesthesiologist monitors your condition. They adjust the dosage of the sedative medication to ensure your comfort throughout the treatment process.
Some patients experience a gag reflex when undergoing treatment on their back teeth. This can hinder the treatment. Under sedation, the patient's sensitivity is decreased, and gag reflexes are suppressed. This enables safe and thorough treatment.
Under sedation, the patient enters a light sleep. After the procedure, they wake up quickly. Either immediately (with inhalation sedation) or within 20 minutes (with intravenous sedation), the patient goes home.
During treatment, one might unconsciously resist. Sedative medications completely relax you. Treating a relaxed patient is much easier. You don't flinch, worry, or ask to stop the procedure. This simplifies the doctor's work, speeds up your treatment, and ensures the desired outcome.
Who can benefit from Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is recommended if you have:
Intense fear of dental treatment
Increased gag reflex
Hypersensitivity
Long duration of treatment procedure
Symptoms of claustrophobia in the dental chair
Low sensitivity to local anesthesia
One of the cases of treatment using modern sedation
This patient had worn dentures on both the upper and lower jaws. Upon the recommendation of their dentist, they flew to Miami to see Dr. Tetri.
After thorough diagnostics, it was decided to perform a complete mouth reconstruction on both jaws. Dr. Tetri augmented the jawbone volume and placed several dental implants. The next day, a fixed prosthesis was fitted onto all teeth for the patient. As a result, perfect dental aesthetics and a broad smile were restored. The patient’s face appeared rejuvenated and symmetrical. Dr. Tetri also corrected the proper bite alignment. The treatment was conducted under intravenous sedation.