For some people, going to a dental appointment is a dreadful experience.  Sensitive to pain in general, the thought of pain in their mouths is too great for them to bear.  The actual level of discomfort caused by some dental practices is magnified in their mind many times over.  For these individuals, it is much better to see a Houston sedation dentist than to avoid going altogether, or procrastinating until a minor problem compounds into a major condition. 

A Houston sedation dentist can perform all of the general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry procedures necessary to restore a patient to full dental health and a winning smile. He or she can also perform these procedures with the patient in an anesthetized state.  While the patient is never completely unconscious, he or she is in such a relaxed state that no pain is felt during dental procedures.

Anxiety-prone who have come to our Houston office for this procedure report that sedation dramatically reduces the usual muscle tension and stress they otherwise always experience when visiting a dentist.  This relaxed state of being not only helps the patient feel more comfortable, but it also makes the body much more receptive to the medication used for treatment.

In addition to helping our patients overcome their fears, we are often able turn to multiple appointments into a single visit.  We use both oral and intravenous methods of anesthesia delivery, and we can even help Houston patients who normally have difficulty with conventional anesthetic. 

For oral sedation, the dentist prescribes oral medication prior to treatment.  This produces a very relaxed state of consciousness that produces a sense of comfort and well being.   The patient is lucid and able to respond to the dentist, however, and can respond to questions or follow instructions.  Throughout the procedure, dental assistants monitor patient vitals.  

For intravenous (IV) delivery, a Houston Medical Center, board-certified anesthesiologist comes in to help the sedation dentist performing the procedure.  The anesthesiologist reviews patient medical history, consult with their doctor(s) if necessary, and completely manages the anesthesia care while the dental team is working.  We feel that brining in an anesthesiologist is the best way to ensure that all everything goes smoothly to the maximum comfort and benefit of our patients.   

Houston residents from all walks of life can benefit from sedation dentistry.  Many of these people include those who experience the following phobias and conditions that normally make them put off going to the dentist.

         Fears about dental appointments in general, usually rooted in traumatic childhood memories

         Difficulty achieving numbness from standard Novocain or nitrous oxide

         Have a strong gag reflex that makes any work inside the mouth difficult

         Have highly sensitive teeth

         Have an aversion to the smells and sounds of the dental office.

         Do not like needles going into their mouths.

         Have a complex dental need that would otherwise involve multiple appointments to address.

         Need a full mouth reconstruction

Regardless of the type of procedure performed, our office will also prescribe medicines appropriate to the patient to alleviate any postoperative discomfort.  We politely insist to all patients as well that they have someone drive them to and from our office when having any procedure involving anesthesia performed.