Do you suffer from a dental phobia or an intense fear of getting dental work done? This is not uncommon. Many people are fearful of the dental chair, and the potential pain or discomfort that can accompany it, but modern medicine has allowed many dentists to practice sleeping dentistry (sleep sedation) that gives patients a chance to sleep right through their dental treatment. At Carson & Carson, we offer IV Sedation, IM Sedation, Laughing Gas Sedation, and Oral Sedation options to our patients so that you can have a pain-free dental visit you won’t even remember! Call us today to request a consultation with the Oxnard Dentists, who were one of the first to offer sedation dentistry in Ventura County.
Expert Sedation Dentists Since 1994
Both of our dentists Dr. LeRoy Carson and Dr. Derek Carson are certified by the State of California Board of Dental Examiners and are experts in sedation with decades of experience ranging back to 1994. Additionally, our dentists are both board certified conscious sedation examiners & evaluators. Our experienced team of sedation dentists can provide you a safe and relaxing alternative to being awake during your dental treatment through a variety of different sedation options, all offered with an affordable, one-time fee unlike other dentists in the area who charge by the hour or minute.
With over 50 years of experience serving the residents of the Oxnard area, you can feel confident that you are receiving care from some of the most accomplished and trusted dentists in the Los Angeles & Ventura Counties at Carson & Carson, DDS.
Is Sleep Dentistry Right For Me?
Sleep sedation may be a viable option for your dental treatment if you:
- are not numbed easily from local anesthetics
- want to sleep through your dental visit
- are nervous about dental treatment
- have an easily triggered gag reflex
- fear dental visits
- require a lot of work in a single visit
- haven’t been to the dentist in a long time
Our team of dental experts believes that every patient deserves to be relaxed and comfortable when receiving dental care. So, we offer sleep dentistry sedation for a large number of procedures including root canals and our pediatric dentistry services.
Find out today if sleep dentistry is the right option for you. (805) 983-0717
Different Types of Sedation Used in Sleep Dentistry
There are many different types of sedation that can be used to achieve the painless state of sleep in sedation dentistry including IV, IM, laughing gas, and oral sedation.
Oral Sedation Dentistry
Oral Sedation is the most simple form of sedation dentistry we offer. A sedative is taken in the form of a small pill before the appointment, which helps to ensure that the patient is in a calm state of mind and is very relaxed before dental work begins. The process involves taking a Benzodiazepine, which reduces brain activity relating to anxiety and fear.
Pros of Oral Sedation:
- No needles are involved. Typical treatment involves a small, chewable pill.
- Patients tend to have little to no memory of the procedure
- Oral sedatives are highly regulated by the FDA, so they are generally considered to be the safest form of sedation.
- The patient is still responsive & interactive during the effects of the oral sedative
Cons of Oral Sedation:
- Time until it takes effect. Compared to other forms of sedation, oral sedatives do take longer to kick in.
- If more sedative is needed, it can take a while to kick in
- Inability to drive while under the effects of oral sedatives
IV – Intravenous Sedation Dentistry
Intravenous (IV) Sedation is a commonly used method for sedation dentistry. In this procedure, at least three liters of oxygen per minute titrate slowly with a general anesthetic until the patient is sedated to the point of no memory and has no fear. The patient then falls into a verbally arousable state of light sleep known as twilight sleep. This type of sleep is not true unconsciousness but rather an amnesiac state where the patient experiences a highly reduced sensitivity to pain. The pulse rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and respiration rate are all monitored closely during & after the procedure to ensure the safety of the patient.
IV sedation is one of the most effective techniques in relieving dental anxiety for patients and is administered intravenously. It is the preferred method for many patients and is administered directly into the arm to provide rapid sedation.
Pros of IV Sedation:
- Patients have little memory of the procedure
- Rapid onset
- IV is a deeper sedation than oral or inhaled sedatives
- The gag reflex is greatly diminished
- Dosage is measured to exact specification of the individual
- Great for bypassing dental anxiety
- Unwanted reactions to the drug can be quickly & easily reversed
Cons of IV Sedation:
- Cannot drive home by yourself
- The site of injection can become infected
- More expensive procedure
IM – Intramuscular Sedation Dentistry
Intramuscular Sedation (IM) is another technique which is often used in place of oral medication for a non-compliant patient or child. This type of sedation is administered through injections which require a larger muscle mass such as the upper thigh, buttocks or upper arm. IM Sedation is the go to option when other options are not preferred or available, but it is generally less controllable than IV Sedation. This method of sedation is ideal when you are too anxious, fearful, or uncooperative for a dental procedure.
Pros of IM Sedation:
- Rapid onset
- Longer lasting effects
- More reliably absorbed by the body than oral sedatives
- Patient cooperation is not as essential
Cons of IM Sedation:
- Inability to titrate (or measure and adjust balance of), which can result in less accurate dosage prediction
- Inability to reverse drug action
- Prolonged duration of drug effect
- The site of injection can become infected
Laughing Gas Sedation Dentistry
Laughing gas sedation dentristry, involves inhaling a mixture of Nitrogen and Oxygen gas through a mask placed over the nose. With this form of sedation, it is possible that a patient may be able to drive themselves home afterward.
Pros of Laughing Gas Sedation:
- Short-lived. The patient may be able to drive home
- Dosage is easy to control
- Does not put you to sleep. You can hear & respond to questions
Cons of Laughing Gas Sedation:
- Does not put you fully to sleep. Some patients would rather not remember anything
- It might make your legs and arms feel tingly or heavy
- Very short-lived period of effect. Laughing gas starts to wear off as soon as the mask is removed
Our Qualifications in Sedation Dentistry
Both of our sedation dentists are licensed and experienced with successful procedures dating back to as early as 1994.
Dr. Derek K. Carson
This is Dr. Derek K. Carson’s certificate of membership to the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology.
Here is Dr. Derek K. Carson’s conscious sedation certificate. His certificate was personally approved & signed by the president and secretary of the Dental Board of California.
Dr. Leroy K. Carson
This is Dr. LeRoy K. Carson’s IV sedation license.
This is Dr. LeRoy K. Carson’s appointment as an IV sedation evaluator for the State of California. Every IV dentist is required to be evaluated every five years in office. We pass these evaluations with flying colors every time & you should expect no less from any sedation dentistry.
Sedation Dentistry Case Studies
After the dental care is complete, the IV or IM medication will wear off, and the process of returning to a state of alertness is monitored by the administering dentist and qualified dental staff. All localized anesthesia and shots are completed after the patient is sedated. Browse Sedation Dentistry case studies from our past sedation work.
Improve Your Dental Experience with Sedation Dentistry
Don’t let pain or fear keep you from having a great smile. Find a dental plan that suits your needs the best with the wide selection of services offered at Carson & Carson Dental office in Oxnard or Camarillo, California. To discuss the process, pricing, or more information on our use of sedation in sleep dentistry, please call our Oxnard office today at (805) 983-0717. Find a dentist near me. Our dentists are available 24 hours a day to treat a dental emergency.
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