If you are one of many Americans who do not visit the dentist for regular checkups because of your dental anxiety, you are not alone. At Clarkson Dental Group, we understand that dental anxiety is very real. But we do not want your fear of the dentist to keep you from getting the dental care you need to maintain good oral health. With sedation dentistry, you can have an anxiety-free experience.
Many people are under the mistaken impression that sedation dentistry refers to being “put under” while undergoing dental treatment. Most types of sedation dentistry allow patients to stay fully conscious during treatment. Sleepiness is often a side effect of some types of sedation, but they do not induce sleep.
Most types of sedation dentistry are administered through medications taken by mouth, so there are no injections or needles involved. Nitrous oxide is administered through a mask over the nose, much like breathing in oxygen through a mask. Our IV sedation services start at $900.
Whatever your specific needs, Clarkson Dental offers a sedation dentistry option to ensure your journey to oral health is relaxed and pain-free! Here's how!
During IV moderate sedation (a.k.a. conscious or twilight sedation), you are technically awake during IV sedation but will not feel any pain.
If you have to undergo IV moderate sedation for a dental procedure, you can rest assured you're in the most capable and caring hands. You will be put in a state of deep relaxation but will still be conscious and able to respond to verbal cues from the dental team. However, it is important to note that even though you are awake during IV sedation, you will likely not experience any pain or discomfort as the sedation medications will also provide temporary pain relief.
After the procedure, you may also experience some level of amnesia, where you may not remember much or any of the procedures, and that’s ok. It’s to be expected. A member of our team will monitor your vital signs and level of consciousness throughout the procedure to ensure your safety and comfort. However, we do recommend that you have a trusted adult drive you home from the procedure.
Dr. Scott Mahlin is a gentle dentist in Chesterfield who is experienced in various procedures and sedation methods. To learn more about sedation dentistry in Chesterfield, MO, please contact us!
Yes. Dentists can give IV moderate sedation (a.k.a. conscious or twilight sedation) when they deem it necessary for a patient's dental procedure.
Any dentist who wishes to administer IV moderate sedation must undergo special training and certification through the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). They must also comply with specific regulations set forth by their state's dental board.
While IV moderate sedation can be an effective way to manage anxiety and pain during dental procedures, it does carry some risks. Patients who undergo IV sedation must be carefully monitored for changes in vital signs and breathing, and there is a small risk of complications such as allergic reactions or respiratory depression. But don't worry! Our staff is trained for just this and will ensure your health and safety throughout the entire procedure. Your dentist will discuss the risks and benefits of IV sedation with you prior to the procedure and ensure that you are a suitable candidate for this type of sedation.
As with all IV moderate sedation, it is necessary to have a trusted adult escort you home after the procedure. You can expect the effects to wear within a few hours of the procedure.
To learn more about IV sedation for dentistry in Chesterfield, MO, contact Clarkson Dental Group.
In short, the effects of IV moderate sedation can last up to 24 hours.
The exact duration of the effects of IV moderate sedation, also called conscious or twilight sedation, can and will vary depending on the patient's age, weight, and overall health, as well as other factors such as the length and complexity of the procedure and the patient's response to the medication. But typically, the effects of IV moderate sedation will typically wear off within a few hours after the dental procedure is completed. However, it is important to proceed with caution as some patients may feel groggy or tired for several hours afterward.
Patients who receive IV moderate sedation should always plan to have a responsible adult accompany them to the appointment and drive them home afterward, as it is not safe to drive or operate heavy machinery while under the effects of sedation. It is also recommended that patients avoid strenuous activity, operating machinery, or making important decisions for at least 24 hours after receiving IV sedation.
Our trained team will provide you with specific instructions for post-sedation care and monitoring to ensure a safe and comfortable recovery. If you have any additional questions about sedation dentistry in our Chesterfield dental office, give us a call!
Our office administers IV moderate sedation, also called conscious or twilight sedation, which allows us to carefully maintain a relaxed state during the patient’s dental treatment. IV sedation helps patients feel relaxed and comfortable throughout their dental procedure and can also provide temporary pain relief.
While patients who receive IV sedation are typically conscious and able to respond to verbal cues from the medical team, they are likely to feel drowsy and may have limited memory of the procedure. In many cases, patients will experience mild amnesia, where they do not remember much or any of the procedures. That’s completely normal and to be expected.
However, it is important to note that while IV sedation can help to reduce anxiety and discomfort during a procedure, some patients still feel sensations or discomfort, particularly if the procedure involves the manipulation of sensitive tissues or structures. But we will do our best to make you feel as comfortable as possible from start to finish.
It is our goal to ensure that the IV moderate sedation will provide you with a comfortable and stress-free experience. As with all sedation, please ensure you have a trusted adult to escort you home after the procedure.
If you want to learn more about sedation dentistry in Chesterfield, contact Clarkson Dental Group to learn more.
The effects of IV moderate sedation, also called conscious or twilight sedation, will wear off in the first few hours after your procedure, but it is important to note that it could take a full 24 hours to properly recover from the anesthesia. It all depends on the specific medication used, the dosage, your metabolism, your age, your weight, and your overall health.
You can expect the effects of IV moderate sedation to last for at least a few hours post-procedure. Some medications used for IV moderate sedation have a shorter half-life, which means they are eliminated from the body more quickly. Others have a longer half-life, which means they take longer to be eliminated. The type and dosage of medication used for your specific procedure will affect how long the sedation will last.
Even after the effects of IV moderate sedation have worn off, you may still feel drowsy or groggy for several hours afterward, even up to 24 hours after the procedure. Therefore, it is important to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery for at least 24 hours after receiving IV sedation. And remember to have a trusted, responsible adult bring you home after the procedure.
Contact our Chesterfield dental office to learn more about sedation dentistry and how we help patients manage anxiety and discomfort.
Here are some of the benefits sedation dentistry provides for our patients:
"A wonderful experience from start to finish! The front office staff are very friendly and efficient. My hygienist is not only professional and knowledgeable but takes time to explain anything I may have a question about, as well as making me feel totally at ease in the dentists 's chair, even through a deep cleaning.
Dr. Mahlin, whether checking in on a cleaning or repairing a tooth, applies his skill as well personality always leaving me with confidence in my smile. In addition when Dr. Mahlin calls me the evening after a tooth repair just to check in on me, I feel truly cared for!"
- Michael Vrbicky
For some people, dental procedures are accompanied by anxiety or fear. It does not need to be this way. And thanks to sedation dentistry, everyone can approach upcoming dental procedures free from nerves, anxiety, and fear.
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If you feel that pit in your stomach when visiting the dentist, you may benefit from sedation dentistry in Chesterfield. When patients feel fearful or anxious about visiting the dentist, it often keeps them from getting the dental care they desperately need. Dental sedation offer solutions for anxious patients to ...
At Clarkson Dental Group, Our team has safely provided IV Moderate Sedation for all types of dental treatment in a safe and relaxing environment. Through our years of experience in sedation, we have created recommendations to guide you comfortably through your sedation procedures. Here's what you should know.
We ...
If you have been putting off dental care because of dental anxiety, we urge you to contact Clarkson Dental Group. Dr. Mahlin wants all patients to be at ease during their appointment, which is why we charge a starting rate of $900 for IV moderate sedation. Our team of caring, experienced professionals understand what you are going through, and with the help of sedation dentistry, we can ensure you have a comfortable experience while you are here. Call today to make an appointment.
Chesterfield native Dr. Scott Mahlin earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at St. Louis University. He went on to earn a DDS at the University of Missouri at Kansas City; he did a sedation residency at the University of Alabama. His continuing education includes:
About his work, Dr. Mahlin says, “I understand that dental care is a very personal ...