Dental Sedation Options

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Sedation Dentistry - Treating your dental needs with total comfort:

Sedation dentistry can be used to overcome dental anxiety or allow you to have dental work performed with no unpleasant memories. Dr. McEntire provides various types of sedation including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and intra-venous (IV) sedation. Conscious sedation renders you completely relaxed and unaware that dental work is being performed. With sedation it is common for all needed dental care to be completed in one appointment. A consultation with Dr. McEntire can help to determine the most appropriate form of sedation for you.

Sedation Dentistry - Treating your dental needs with total comfort:
The type of sedation that sets our office apart from others is IV sedation. Below are some common questions regarding IV sedation.

What is I.V. Sedation? Intravenous (IV) Conscious Sedation is an advanced form of dental sedation. The technique uses a combination of pain relieving and sedative medications placed directly into your body, which renders you completely relaxed and unaware of the dentistry that is being performed.

How does it differ from Oral Sedation? Oral sedation (pills) can be helpful during stressful dental procedures; however, these drugs do not have the same powerful sedative effects as IV sedation. Oral sedation medications also have no pain control properties. IV sedation has many advantages over oral sedation including rapid onset, faster recovery time, no unpleasant awareness or memory, and the ability to achieve and maintain the appropriate level of sedation for you. In some cases, a combination of oral and I.V. techniques are used.

Who can benefit from IV sedation? IV sedation can be used for any type of patient. While many patients use sedation to overcome dental anxiety, there are others who simply want to be very comfortable during treatment with no unpleasant memories, such as during surgical procedures, root canals, or a lengthy appointment.

Which procedures is IV Sedation used for? IV Sedation can be used for any dental procedure. It is particularly helpful for surgical procedures (implants, extractions, periodontal surgery), endodontic (root canal) procedures, and extensive restorative care.

Can all of my work be completed in one appointment? Dr. McEntire can provide as much treatment as possible in one visit. What can be accomplished with each patient, and how many visits it takes, can only determined after a comprehensive dental examination.

Why don't more dentists use IV Sedation? Texas law requires a dentist to have a special permit to perform IV Sedation. Such a permit is obtained by completing a residency following dental school. Dr. McEntire received his sedation training while completing the Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.