Sedation Dentistry

What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry includes the use of sedatives to keep you calm and relaxed during your dental procedures. For many people, dental anxiety can make the maintenance of their oral health a stressful experience, and for some, it can prevent them from visiting the dentist altogether.

Dr. Sakurai has advanced training in using sedation dentistry to help patients with dental anxiety and offers a variety of sedative options at Pacific View Smile Center. With board-certifications in emergency medicine and anesthesia and an anesthesiologist on the team to administer general anesthesia if needed, Pacific View Smile Center is a trusted and reliable resource for sedation dentistry.

How can sedation dentistry improve my dental experience?

The most pronounced effect of sedation dentistry is to ease your fears and anxieties when you’re in the dental chair. This not only has the profound effect of making your dental visit a more enjoyable experience, but it also enables Dr. Sakurai to give your mouth the deep and thorough care it needs to stay healthy. 

What sedation dentistry services do you offer?

There are many options for sedation dentistry at Pacific View Smile Center, including:

Local anesthesia

Dr. Sakurai injects local anesthesia into the specific area of your mouth where she’s performing a procedure, leaving the area numb and alleviating any pain or discomfort. 

Nitrous oxide

Nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas, is a mild sedative that has a long history of use in dental procedures. It’s administered through a mask that fits over your nose and stays on throughout your entire procedure. Nitrous oxide begins to work soon after you begin inhaling it and generally relieves anxiety, gives you a feeling of euphoria, and reduces your sense of pain.

General anesthesia

For more involved or complex procedures, you might choose general anesthesia, which leaves you unconscious throughout your entire procedure. Pacific View Smile Center works with a professional anesthesiologist who fully intubates you and ensures that your anesthesia is administered safely and effectively.

IV Sedation

IV sedation is administered through an intravenous drip inserted into your arm. It can leave you slightly disoriented after your procedure, so you’ll need to arrange for somebody to drive you home from the office.

Oral conscious sedation

Oral conscious sedation is a pill you take before you come in for your procedure. This form of sedation dulls the senses during your procedure but leaves you conscious, so you’ll still be able to communicate with Dr. Sakurai if needed.

Find out more about sedation dentistry by calling the offices at Pacific View Smile Center or booking a visit online.