Sedation Dentist
Serving Fort Lauderdale, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, and Boca Raton, Florida
Sedation Dentistry Questions
What, exactly, is sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is fairly new type of dentistry that allows dentists to perform procedures on patients who have dental phobia, or a fear of the dentist. By relaxing the patient and freeing you of your anxiety and apprehension, West Palm Beach Sedation Dentist, Dr. John Sarris is better able to perform the dental work you need without causing you pain or fear. In fact, many of our patients have absolutely no memory of the work they had performed and “wake up” feeling refreshed and surprised that it’s over already. We have patients who put off dental care for years, even decades, because of their fear of the dentist’s office: the sounds, the smells, and the fear of the unknown. We want you to know that we understand those fears and have gone through extensive training to allay your fears and provide you with the most pleasant dental experience possible.
Is sedation dentistry the same as general anesthesia?
No, sedation dentistry is not the same as being put under general anesthesia. Dr. Sarris does not even use IV (intravenous) sedation. Oral sedation such as medication to relax you and nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas) are the methods Dr. Sarris uses in his practice, Family Cosmetic & Reconstructive Dentistry. While you may fall asleep during the procedure and have no recollection of the procedure, sedation dentistry does not put you “under” as general anesthesia does. General anesthesia can be quite risky whereas sedation dentistry is perfectly safe and highly effective. Many of our patients drive themselves home following dental work, but if you prefer to have a friend or loved one take you back home, that is fine, too.
What are the advantages to using laughing gas?
The pros far outweigh the cons when it comes to nitrous oxide. In fact, there really are no disadvantages to this highly popular and effective means of sedation dentistry. Nitrous oxide is very successful because it:
- Works well for mild to moderate dental anxiety
- Works quickly
- Flexible duration can be used for any appointment length
- It is easy to quickly control the level of sedation which may be altered moment to moment.
- People recover quickly
- There are very few side effects
- You can drive yourself to and from your dental appointment
- You can return to normal activities immediately
Who would make a good candidate for sedation dentistry?
If you have an extreme fear of having dental work performed, you would be a good candidate for sedation dentistry. People with a strong gag reflex are also good candidates. If you have to have a great deal of dental work done, sedation dentistry would be very beneficial for you, and if you have chronic jaw pain, or TMD, sedation dentistry would make your dental work much more tolerable.
Dr. Sarris is a member of DOCS. What is that?
DOCS, which stands for Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, is an organization that has trained over 30,000 dental professionals and offers the full spectrum of sedation dentistry education. By choosing a dentist who is a member of DOCS such as Dr. Sarris, you can rest assured that you are in good hands—hands that know more sedation dentistry than those not trained by DOCS.. DOCS dentists are trained on all the latest and state-of-the art sedation technology and techniques.
If you live in Boynton Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, or Palm Beach, Florida and think you could benefit from sedation dentistry, please do not hesitate to contact Sedation Dentist, John Sarris, D.M.D., P.A. today to schedule a thorough consultation.
Contact Us
561.278.7450
John G. Sarris, D.M.D., P.A.
1911 S. Federal Highway, Suite 600
Delray Beach, Florida 33483
