Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry uses safe and effective medications to help you relax during your dental visit. There are a number of methods and medications to produce this effect, and a few different levels of sedation, so you can find the solution that’s perfect for you. Learn about our different sedation options here.

General anesthesia, or sleep dentistry, is a term sometimes used to describe the deepest level of sedation. During your sleep dentistry appointment, a board-certified anesthesiologist will administer medication and continually monitor your safety and comfort. You can just sleep comfortably through the whole appointment and wake up to find years of dental problems have been treated while you slept.

Sedation dentistry is for anyone who wants to be comfortable and relaxed throughout their entire dental visit. If you can agree with any of the below statements, sedation might be right for you.

• I’m genuinely afraid of going to the dentist.
• I’ve had bad experiences at the dentist before.
• I just can’t get comfortable in the dental chair.
• I’ve always hated the sounds and the smells at the dentist.
• I can’t sit still when I’m at the dentist.
• The dentist has never been able to get my mouth completely numb.
• I just don’t have time for all the appointments I know I’m going to need.
• My jaw gets tired, and I have to keep my mouth open.
• I gag every time the dentist puts anything in my mouth.
• My teeth are very sensitive.
• I have a real fear of needles.
• I don’t want to be criticized about the condition of my teeth.

A sedation appointment feels calm and peaceful, and is probably completely unlike any other experience you’ve had at the dentist.

A sedation appointment feels calm and peaceful, and is probably unlike any other experience you’ve had at the dentist. After the appointment, most people have little or no memory of the visit – as if the entire experience was a dream. You simply wake up with a brand new smile.

With any sedation dentistry, you will need a companion to drive you to and from the appointment and to stay with you for the rest of the day.

Conscious Sedation

Our doctors will either give you a small pill to take an hour before your appointment or use an IV attachment once you get to the office. We will then start monitoring your vital signs and assess whether you need any more medication.

Once you are relaxing comfortably in the dental chair, we’ll cover you with a warm blanket. We’ll begin our work once you are totally relaxed. Before you know it, the appointment will be over!

General Anesthesia

A sleep dentistry appointment gives you deep relaxation. You’ll be seated in a comfortable dental chair with a warm blanket. A certified anesthesiologist will join our team to ensure the highest level of safety and comfort for this deeper level of sedation.

You will be completely unaware of the dental treatment during a sleep dentistry appointment, as if you were home asleep in your own bed. When you wake, all the dentistry will be finished, and the whole experience will feel like a dream. When you look in the mirror to see your new smile, you’ll probably think it was the best dream you’ve ever had!

Many patients choose to be asleep for the whole dental procedure. This level of sedation is often referred to as sleep dentistry. Dr. Ruparelia will perform all the dentistry while a certified anesthesiologist provides the sedative medications and monitors you. This is all done right in our office at CascadesONE Dental, so there’s no need for an extra appointment or to go to another office.

Yes. The medications that we use are extremely safe. To ensure safety and comfort, our whole team has been trained to take care of sedation patients, and we will be monitoring you the entire time you are in the office. Dr. Ruparelia has sedation permits by the Virginia Dental Board.

There is no need to be embarrassed anymore. We see people like you every day. Many good people are unable to get the care they need, for one reason or another. No one here will criticize you or give you a lecture about the condition of your teeth. We’re just glad you found us.

It’s likely that you’ll still feel a little sleepy. We’ll keep monitoring you until we know you are ready to leave the office, and your companion will drive you home. You’ll need to take it easy for the rest of the day, and for safety reasons, your companion will be instructed to keep you company.

You may want to rest, and you certainly won’t be driving or doing anything that requires your full concentration. Feel free to eat and drink all you want because this will probably make you feel better. The day after the appointment will just be a regular day. The only unusual thing is that you may remember little or nothing from your dental visit – you’ll just have a great new smile.