Sedation Procedures

Conscious Sedation (awake and aware)

Oral Conscious Sedation (Pills):

At Spring Valley Dental, we offer Oral Conscious Sedation and Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) for procedures.

A pill is taken about an hour before your treatment, which will make you feel relaxed and somewhat sleepy. You will, however, remain awake, and will be able to interact with and respond to the dentist. The sedative effects can last for up to four hours. Sometimes you may also be prescribed a pill to take the night before your treatment to help you sleep. The most commonly used oral conscious sedation medications are Halcion, Ativan or Valium, all of which generally have a low incidence of side effects.

This mode of sedation is gaining popularity and is now heavily advertised as “sedation dentistry” and “dentistry with oral conscious sedation”. However, if you hear the term “sleep dentistry” associated with the use of oral medications, understand that pills do not and should not put a patient to sleep. If you are a patient who wants to sleep through your dental treatment, oral medications should not be your choice of sedation. You will need to have a responsible adult drive you home.

Nitrous Oxide (“Laughing Gas”)

Nitrous oxide is a gas breathed though a small rubber inhaler placed over your nose that helps decrease anxiety, allowing you to feel more relaxed. The recovery time is very short, and the effects pass within minutes, so you will be able to drive yourself home. Nitrous is best used for patients with mild anxiety who are having short, uncomplicated dental treatment.

Unconscious Sedation (asleep and unaware)*

General Anesthesia:

General anesthesia produces a state of unconsciousness wherein you are completely asleep during your treatment. General anesthesia is fast-acting, taking effect in approximately one minute, and can be controlled to increase or decrease your level of sedation safely and precisely. If you are afraid of receiving dental treatment, you will not have to “get over” your fear on your own, because you will sleep through your treatment. If you have special needs, such as physical or mental disabilities, are in recovery from an addiction, or have complex medical conditions, general anesthesia may be the safest option for you.

When you receive general anesthesia during your dental treatment, you will feel no pain; you will not hear, smell or taste anything, and you will have no memory of the procedure. This modality is predictable, comfortable, and ensures that your dental treatment can be easily completed.

Intravenous Sedation (I.V.):

I.V. Sedation produces a lowered level of consciousness wherein you are asleep during your treatment. I.V. sedation is fast-acting, taking effect in approximately one minute, and can be controlled to increase or decrease your level of sedation safely and precisely. If you are afraid of receiving dental treatment, you will not have to “get over” your fear on your own, because you will sleep through your treatment.

When you receive I.V. sedation during your dental treatment, you will feel no pain; you will not hear, smell or taste anything, and you will have no memory of the procedure. This modality is predictable, comfortable, and ensures that your dental treatment can be easily completed. The recovery is simple and quick.