Sedation Dentistry in Appleton, WI
Sedation Makes Dental Treatment Easy
Many people avoid visiting the dentist because of the common dental phobia. Avoiding regular dental treatment often results in neglect of oral health up to and beyond the point when drastic measures become necessary. Sedation dentistry addresses this phobia, allowing people to undergo dental work while avoiding this common apprehension. Additionally, sedation dentistry allows complex dental procedures, normally requiring numerous visits, to be performed in just one or two sittings.
“I avoided the dentist for so long because something about the dentist scared the hell out of me. I initially needed to be sedated with a pill, take the laughing gas, the ‘works,’ when treatment was recommended. But because Dr. Luther explains everything in great detail and makes you understand everything before anything is done, he puts you at ease, and treatment is a ‘piece of cake.’ Now, I don’t require any sedation, and I can get a good night sleep the night before my appointment because I know my appointment will go smoothly. Dr. Luther does a great job.”
– Jim
Relaxing and Anxiety-Free
Sedation dentistry provides a relaxing and anxiety-free experience for people receiving dental treatment. A major benefit to the sedation technique is that people often feel the procedure lasts only a few minutes when, in fact, it might have taken hours to perform.
Patients may also experience an “amnesic effect,” where parts of the procedure will not be remembered, even though they could be awake and talking. This not only helps on the day of the procedure, but it always helps patients adjust positively toward future dental appointments, helping control their overall anxiety reduction. Most people rarely feel any discomfort after the procedure.
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What is Sedation?
Sedation is a technique that aims to pharmacologically alter your central nervous system to produce an overall deeper calm and relaxed (sedated) sensation. Sedative drugs (tranquilizers, depressants, anxiolytics, etc.) are used to induce sedation and can be administered by taking a small pill 1 hour before your scheduled appointment. Nitrous oxide is also usually administered to achieve an overall maximum effect. Read more below on the types of sedation we offer.
1. Nitrous Oxide – Mild Sedation
Nitrous oxide sedation, also called “laughing gas”, is a wonderful technique for helping anxious patients relax while receiving dental treatment. This sedation technique is very safe for children and adults. You won’t have any after-effects, so it is safe for you to drive or return to work after treatment.
We administer a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a mask that fits over the nose. The dosage of nitrous oxide is adjusted until the patient begins to feel a pleasant, relaxed sensation. An added benefit of nitrous oxide sedation is that it raises the pain threshold, so many patients feel little, if any, discomfort with procedures many people fear, such as injections of local anesthetics in the mouth.
After the dental treatment is complete, the patient breathes 100% oxygen for about five to ten minutes. This purges all of the residual nitrous oxide out of their system, and they will feel normal again. The patient can then leave the office with no restrictions on activities.
2. Oral Conscious Sedation – Medium Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is a form of sedation dentistry that involves the use of medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. This type of sedation is administered orally in the form of a pill or liquid and is typically used for patients who experience dental anxiety or fear. The medication used in oral conscious sedation is usually a type of benzodiazepine, such as diazepam or lorazepam, which helps to induce a sense of calm and relaxation in the patient.
During the dental procedure, the patient remains conscious and responsive but in a deeply relaxed state (amnesia effect Like a twlight). This allows the dentist to perform the necessary procedures while the patient is comfortable and at ease. Oral conscious sedation is a safe and effective method of managing dental anxiety and is typically used for longer, more complex dental procedures. However, it is important to note that patients who undergo oral conscious sedation should arrange for transportation to and from their dental appointment, as the medication can impair their ability to drive or operate machinery for several hours after the procedure.
3. General Anesthesia – Unconcious Sedation
General anesthesia is a form of sedation that is used in dental procedures to induce a state of unconsciousness in the patient. This type of sedation is typically reserved for more complex dental procedures, such as wisdom teeth extractions or dental implant placements, where the patient may experience significant pain or discomfort. General anesthesia is administered by an anesthesiologist, who monitors the patient’s vital signs and ensures that the patient remains asleep and pain-free throughout the procedure.
Patients will be intubated. This level of sedation is administered with a partner of Timbercrest Dental Center, Quantum Anesthesia Services LCC. The patient is completely unconscious and unaware of the procedure, which can help to reduce anxiety and discomfort. Additionally, general anesthesia allows the dentist to complete complex procedures in a shorter amount of time, which can minimize the patient’s time in the dental chair.
Great for patients with: Special needs, disabilities, severe anxiety. Contact our office about our sedation services.
Relax with TV and Massaging Dental Chairs
To help reduce any anxiety or apprehension even more, our Appleton dental office features cable TV and massaging dental chairs in all of our treatment rooms, along with movie video glasses and Pandora radio headphones if requested. Come watch a sitcom like “Friends” or “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” or a drama such as “CSI:” or “House, M.D.” while you are being treated. They all do an excellent job of relaxing your body and distracting your brain!
Dr. Luther is Highly Experience in Sedation Dentistry
Appleton’s Dr. Luther is highly experienced in sedation dentistry. He was extensively trained in both oral and IV sedation as part of his prestigious general practice hospital residency in Seattle, Washington. Seeking his advice, rather than foregoing treatment because of fear and potential pain, gives people the opportunity to undergo critical procedures that they would have otherwise avoided. Just ask one of Dr. Luther’s highly trained staff for specific details.
