Procedures

Comfortable Moderate Conscious Dental Sedation in El Dorado Hills

Young black male sitting on a dental chair.

Fear and anxiety around the dentist shouldn't stop you from receiving the dental care you deserve. At El Dorado Hills Dental, we offer dental sedation services to maximize your comfort while you get the necessary treatment and care. Whether your needs are simple or complex, we can help reduce anxiety with safe and effective general sedation for patients with special needs.

Our trained and experienced team is passionate about helping you get the care you need. We understand how difficult and stressful going to the dentist can be, so we are committed to being a judgment-free zone and instead will choose to celebrate you for deciding to care for your oral health. If you know that you need treatment, but anxiety at the dentist keeps you from getting it, look no further than our services with dental sedation. Schedule your appointment today!

CALL US: (916) 866-9615 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

Who Can Benefit From IV Sedation?

IV conscious sedation can make time during lengthier procedures feel faster, so it is particularly useful for patients who need several treatments done in a single day. Depending on your reasons for wanting or needing dental sedation, we will work together to decide the best course of action. Some common reasons patients may want to be sedated during dental care are:

  • Traumatic dental experiences in the past
  • Extreme fear or high levels of anxiety
  • Issues caused by local anesthetics
  • Fear of needles and shots
  • Sensory issues, such as sensitivity to bright lights and physical touch
  • An extremely sensitive gag reflex
  • Aversion to the noise, smell, and taste associated with dental care

Our staff is happy to take the time to answer your questions about how general sedation works and what you expect to feel during treatment, as well as address any fears or concerns. You will most likely need someone to drive you to and from your appointment and help care for you for the first several hours after your treatment.

Is General Sedation an Option?

If IV conscious sedation is not enough, or you can't withstand getting an IV placed while awake, general sedation is a technique that allows you to receive dental procedures while under anesthesia. It is a great option for patients with severe dental anxiety or those who need lengthier procedures. We are fortunate enough to partner with a team of anesthesiologists and are set up to provide complete dental care while you are under general sedation. We also have a registered nurse on staff to help with the sedation and monitor you.

If you or your child need treatment but cannot withstand having a comprehensive exam to determine the extent of your dental care needs, we can help. In many cases, we can put you or your family member under general sedation and will perform a hygiene cleaning, a comprehensive oral examination, and diagnose any treatment needs. Then, we will consult with you about which treatment options to move forward with. When possible, we finish all recommended treatments that day, minimizing the times you need to come in for an appointment.

Image of a young woman under dental sedation.

What Other Dental Sedation Options Do You Offer?

Dental sedation methods vary in speed and customizability, but every option aims to minimize pain and maximize comfort. Some methods work very quickly and allow us to continue adjusting the sedation level throughout your procedure. In contrast, others may be prescribed ahead of time, but all are used in combination with local anesthesia. The level of sedation ranges, allowing you to remain conscious and fully responsive, to you falling asleep or having no memory of the treatment. Alongside IV moderate conscious sedation, we also offer:

  • Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
  • Oral sedation in pill form
  • General Sedation (with our partner Anesthesiologist group)

Our team will work with you to determine which method is best for your unique situation, considering your anxiety level, oral health, and overall health. We will also help you determine what care you need before and after treatment, such as if you need someone to drive you to and from your appointment.

FAQs About Sedation Dentistry

Our team understands when you need dental sedation it can leave you with many questions. We always take the time needed to provide the information you need to make confident decisions regarding your care, especially when it comes to choosing if dental sedation is right for you. Some of the most common questions we receive about sedation dentistry include:

How should I prepare before receiving sedation dentistry in El Dorado Hills?

Preparation may include fasting for a certain period before the procedure, arranging for transportation to and from the appointment, discussing your medical history and any medications with our team, and following specific instructions provided by our dentist.

Side effects are usually mild and temporary. Some of the most common side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, and headache.

The duration depends on the type of sedation used. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly, allowing patients to drive home. Oral and IV sedation may take a few hours to wear off, and patients will need someone to accompany them home. General anesthesia has the longest recovery time, and you may feel some mild effects for the remainder of the day.

Depending on the type and level of sedation used, you may have little to no memory of the procedure. This is especially true with IV and general sedation.

After sedation, it's important to rest and avoid strenuous activities. If you had oral, IV, or general sedation, you should not drive or operate heavy machinery for at least 24 hours.

Skilled Dental Sedation in El Dorado Hills

It's not uncommon to have anxiety and fear around the dentist, but with dental sedation, it's possible to have a less stressful experience. El Dorado Hills Dental is passionate about helping improve your oral health with our sedation options. Not only does general sedation allow you to get the care you need, but you can also trust that you are in safe and capable hands for the entire process. Whether you have had bad prior experiences or need extensive dental work, we strive to make coming to the dentist as comfortable and relaxed as possible. You deserve a team of dentists with the skills and experience to treat you with dental sedation in El Dorado Hills. Schedule your appointment today!

CALL US: (916) 866-9615 REQUEST APPOINTMENT


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