Sedation Dentist
Serving Fort Lauderdale, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, and Boca Raton, Florida
Types of Sedation Dentistry
Anxiety-free dentistry is not difficult to achieve in this era of modern cosmetic dentistry. Sedation dentistry is part of the training that Dr. Sarris has completed at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. He has also completed training at the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS) in order to best understand how to prescribe sedatives and in what dosage.
Most cosmetic dentists are eager to give you a pleasant visit in their practice and offer amenities for your comfort as well as forms of sedation for your nervousness. All dentists give a local anesthetic to numb the areas being treated. Sedation is systemic – it relaxes your entire body and consciousness to supplement the numbing effect of local anesthetic.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is a sedative given in pill form. Oral sedatives usually take effect in about 30 minutes and do not wear off quickly. You will need to arrange for a ride home, as you will still be in a sedated state when Sedation Dentist in West Palm Beach, Dr. Sarris finishes your dental work.
Many people are surprised at how relaxed they feel when under this dental sedation and at how much Dr. Sarris can do in one visit. If you have been delaying your dental work out of anxiety, we can catch you up, because when you are still and calm in the dental chair, Dr. Sarris can work more quickly.
Inhaled Sedation
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is administered through a mask over your face. The sedation created by laughing gas depends on the dosage, but contrary to its name, you are unlikely to collapse on the floor in a fit of giggles. Rather, you would feel light-headed and relaxed, as though you might float away into a calm blue sky.
IV Sedation
Intravenous (IV) sedation is administered through an IV line directly into a vein. It is also called twilight sedation and tends to be heavier than inhaled or oral sedation. Dr. Sarris prefers not to offer it.
General Anesthesia
Sleep dentistry is the term for dentistry done under general anesthesia. This is the total anesthesia done for hospital surgeries and you will have no awareness of your surroundings, nor any memory of the work done. A qualified anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist must be in charge of your dosage and safety when general anesthesia is used and few dentists offer it.
Recovering from Sedation
Dr. Sarris will discuss your sedation beforehand and you will know what type will be used. He will explain how it works and you will have time to arrange for a ride to and from our dental office, should that be necessary. When your dental work is finished, we will let you rest for a while in our office and Dr. Sarris will make sure you are ready to leave.
Nitrous oxide wears off in minutes after the mask is removed. Oral sedation takes several hours to wear off, which gives Dr. Sarris time to complete your planned dental work with time to spare. If you have oral sedation, he will give you printed instructions for how to care for yourself when you are home.
For more information, please see How to Compare Sedation Dentists.
You can learn more about sedation dentistry when you contact Sedation Dentist, Dr. John Sarris for information or to schedule your complimentary consultation in the area of Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and Boynton Beach, Florida.
Contact Us
561.278.7450
John G. Sarris, D.M.D., P.A.
1911 S. Federal Highway, Suite 600
Delray Beach, Florida 33483
