Enjoy Stress-Free Care with Sedation Dentistry in Richmond, BC
Many, many people are afraid to go to the dentist. We see nervous patients every day, and we completely empathize with them. Some have had terrible experiences in the past, or they are just anxious about the lack of control they feel during an appointment. Thankfully, we can help them with sedation. Dr. Ben Partovi, Dr. Kara Ellis-Partovi, and Dr. Melissa Chui have been trained to use a variety of techniques that will both protect you from pain and help calm your thoughts. Nervous about an upcoming procedure? Be sure to let us know and we can help you, just contact our office today.
Oral Conscious Sedation
This method of sedation is ideal for people who have moderate to severe anxiety about seeing the dentist and need to undergo various restorative procedures such as crowns, root canals, fillings, or extractions. For this, your doctor will prescribe a pill for you to take at a designated time the day of your visit. This will place you in a state of mental and physical relaxation. You’ll still be partially awake during your treatment although many fall asleep. Regardless time should fly by and many have no recollection of the appointment afterward.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Also known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is best for patients who are only slightly afraid of visiting the dentist. It is also often used to help children who are nervous or who have trouble sitting still for the length of their dental appointment. You’ll simply breathe in the odorless gas through a mask on your nose, and within a minute, a very warm, comforting sensation will blanket your entire body. After the mask has been removed, the effects will wear off instantly, and you’ll be able to go about your day as normal.
IV Sedation
This is our strongest form of sedation, and we use it for patients who have extreme dental fear, very strong gag reflex or for long involved surgical procedures. Through an IV line in your arm the sedative is directed straight into the blood stream. The effects come on very quickly and it is an excellent way to put patients at complete ease and comfort. The way sedatives interact with individuals can be very different, however with IV sedation the amount of sedative can be adjusted during the appointment to ensure a comfortable anxiety free experience.