SEDATION (for Adult)

Visiting the dentist is not an easy thing to do for most people. For our patients undergoing treatment, we offer several methods of sedation for relaxation making the patient less tense and treatment more comfortable.

Different Types of Sedation

• Nitrous Oxide Procedure (Laughing Gas) _ mild

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a mild local sedation method. It is colorless and odorless. The Nitrous Oxide helps patients feel relaxes patients with pleasurable feelings, however, the patient will remain alert. The effect fades away within seconds once inhalation discontinues.

• Oral Sedation _ mild to moderate

Oral sedation is a medical procedure in which patient is given sedative medication. Depending on the given total dose, the sedation can range from mild to moderate. Typically a pill is given to a patient for mild sedation, which is usually taken about an hour before the procedure. For moderate sedation, larger dose will be given. The patient will feel drowsy, but still be awake. Some patients fall asleep during the procedure but can be awakened with a gentle shake.

• IV Sedation (Intravenous Sedation) _ severe

IV sedation is administered intravenously through a vein, and is a type of anesthesia that puts patient to a ‘twilight sleep’ (not fully asleep, but less aware of what is going on around). IV sedation is usually reserved for patients who are highly anxious about their dental treatment. Patients feel the sedative effect quickly, and it’s easy to adjust the dose given. However, the sedative has a long period of amnesia, and the patient won’t remember about the dental visit or the treatment. The procedure also requires well-trained administration, and many dental offices do not offer it.

• General Anesthesia _ very severe

General anesthesia typically uses combination of intravenous medications and inhaled anesthetic gasses. Under general anesthesia, the brain doesn’t respond to pain signals or reflexes (although patient may feel like being asleep). This sedation requires monitoring patient’s vital functions and breathing. An anesthesiologist and a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) work together during the procedure. General anesthesia is often reserved for surgery that may take a significantly long time, result in significant blood loss, expose patient to cold environment, or affect breathing.

At M Dental Group, Drs. Paul Kim and Janet Kim and Sae Chan Lee will recommend the best sedation option for you based on the patient’s health, anxiety and the type of dental procedure. Patients will be given before procedure instructions and after procedure instructions to follow.

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