Austin Sedation Dentistry - Dental Treatment Without the Anxiety, Fear, or Discomfort.
“No more nightmares about going to the dentist!”
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Many people avoid seeing the dentist because of dental anxiety or dental phobia. Conscious sedation dentistry is a safe and effective way for these people to have the anxiety-free dental experience they’ve always dreamed of!
With Sedation Dentistry, our priority is to keep patients comfortable throughout the entire procedure. Patients are kept in a relaxed state before, after, and during the entire treatment. Once treatment is completed, you will have little or no memory of the experience.
It’s no longer necessary to avoid the dentist! Come in for overdue dental work and leave our office looking and feeling better than ever! Dental sedation is also recommended for procedures requiring a significant amount of time, multiple treatments done in one sitting, as well as for patients who have difficulty controlling their movements.
Dr. Ragsdale is a licensed sedation dentist and has been practicing oral sedation dentistry in Austin since 1985.
How does Sedation Dentistry work
First, schedule a consultation where you will discuss treatment and sedation options with Dr. Ragsdale. A variety of medicines can be used as sedatives, so the appropriate medication for you and your procedure will also be addressed during your initial consultation. You may be given a prescription for a light sedative to take the night before your procedure, to reduce any anxiety and ensure a good night’s sleep. Sometimes a consultation between Dr. Ragsdale and your physician is warranted, especially if you are taking multiple or conflicting medications or have serious underlying health concerns.
When you get to the dental office for your procedure, you will be given a combination of sedative drugs mixed with nitrous oxide gas (laughing gas) which will put your body into a state of extreme relaxation and reduced perception. A local anesthetic will then be administered to eliminate pain. You will neither feel any pain when the dentist numbs your teeth, nor remember the actual “numbing” when the procedure is over. Due to the sedative and amnestic effects of this medication combination, you should not feel pain or have unpleasant memories of your procedure.
One of our experienced team members will monitor your vital signs while you are sedated, keeping you comfortable and relaxed throughout the entire process.
Sedation Dentistry will keep you in a relaxed state for 2-6 hours depending on your physical condition and your needed treatment. While you may fall asleep during the procedure, you are not completely put under as with general anesthesia. You remain in a responsive state and all body functions stay normal.
The sedatives may cause you to be very drowsy for several hours after the procedure; therefore it is necessary to have someone drive you to and from our office. They will be responsible for supervising you after you are released from the office.
What are the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry?
- Reduced anxiety!
- No pain!
- A relaxing and enjoyable dental experience!
