Let’s address the loud, awkward elephant in the room – the sound of the drill at the dental clinic. And if you would rather jump out of a plane without a parachute than visit the dentist, then fear not, for we have good news: sedation dentistry is a real thing designed for people like you, and it’s one of our in-house expertise here at Kelowna Dental Centre.
We take great pride in delivering safe, effective, stress-free dental experiences to our patients. In Kelowna especially, we’re well-known for our trusted anesthetic practice, having helped countless patients with anxiety or special healthcare needs transform their smiles.
And you might assume that we use sedation primarily to reduce patient anxiety – it makes sense, right? Well, you’re spot on, but that’s not the only benefit – sedation also helps our team control the patient’s procedural environment and achieve a consistently high standard of care.
Sedation is essential in helping us deliver predictable, beautiful results for our patients. And the two-pronged benefit is that it helps our more anxious patients get the care they need to live happier, healthier lives.
It’s also worth mentioning that sedation isn’t just for anxious folks! There are other reasons why sedation might be necessary, such as claustrophobia, special healthcare needs, a sensitive gag reflex, small mouths, and general comfort. The point is we’re here to help you overcome whatever’s stopped you from getting dental care in the past.
Let’s get into a few different types of sedation available at Kelowna Dental Centre, their use cases, and how they vary.
Nitrous Oxide, AKA “Laughing Gas”
First, we have Nitrous Oxide, also known as “laughing gas.” This mild yet effective sedative mitigates anxiety while dental treatment is underway.
Nitrous oxide’s top feature is that it only impacts you when you’re actually in the chair, breathing it through your nose. So, you can still drive to and from your appointment – no need to worry about being a danger to yourself or others on the road.
Laughing gas is highly effective for adults and children, but especially for children, given its milder nature, which is why it’s the primary sedation method we recommend for the little ones.
Mild-Moderate Oral Sedation
Next, we have mild-moderate oral sedation. This slightly stronger orally delivered sedation technique is a step up from nitrous oxide and tends to be more effective as a sedative, which comes with a bit more drowsiness.
You will need a ride to and from your appointment, and you may experience some minor memory loss of the moments just before, during, and after your procedure.
We typically recommend mild-moderate oral sedation for patients living with more acute anxiety undergoing a standard dental procedure with a relatively brief duration.
IV Sedation
Finally, we have the most effective option: IV sedation. You won’t remember a thing about your appointment if you opt for IV sedation. That’s right, nada, zip, zero.
IV sedation requires having an IV line directly in your bloodstream. If you need more sedation, the dental team can simply administer additional medication as required—a bonus of its intravenous nature.
IV sedation is extremely safe and effective. We find it especially useful for longer, more complex appointments where local anesthetic may wear off too quickly, causing discomfort and restlessness.
At Kelowna Dental Centre, we offer dual-drug IV sedation, which means we can simultaneously provide both sedation and pain control measures that make your appointment as comfortable as possible. We also have a registered nurse on staff to ensure things always go smoothly, which is pretty uncommon in most dental offices.
Specific Appointments Require Specific Sedation Techniques
At Kelowna Dental Centre, we’re a full-service team. From gum grafting, bone grafting, implants/implant-related surgeries to full mouth rebuilds, multi-crown appointments, root canals, and more, we always develop personalized treatment plans for every single patient that comes through our doors.
And for any procedure that’s pushing the two-hour or longer mark, we typically recommend sedation. Local anesthetic can start wearing out during these lengthier sessions, and to avoid restlessness and discomfort, IV sedation is the way to go.
Our primary goal is to ensure you feel fully comfortable, ease anxiety, and get you a little TLC for your teeth. There’s a reason why we’re trusted in our community for being the leading IV sedation dental practice.
The Kelowna Dental Difference
As we just mentioned, one of our practice’s more unique offerings is having a registered nurse on staff, who also takes care of the pre-screening, monitoring, and discharge processes when sedation is required.
Patient safety and professionalism are of utmost importance. Our dental assistants are IV certified, and our entire team is trained and geared toward delivering effective IV sedation. By the second quarter of 2023, we’ll also have four IV-trained dentists at our clinic.
Get Some TLC for Your Teeth
Thanks for reading today’s blog post – we hope you learned something new and feel at ease knowing that you’re in expert hands when it comes to sedation dentistry.
The next time you schedule your visit, just think of your dentist as your personal tooth fairy who’ll leave you with a healthy, happy smile (instead of a handful of loose change under your pillow).
If you need professional, patient-centred dental care, look no further than Kelowna Dental Centre. Our doctors, certified dental assistants, and dental hygienists improve our patients’ lives through education, exceptional treatment, and personalized oral health assessments.
Click here to book your next dental appointment – we can’t wait to care for you!
Dr. Michael Webster
Kelowna Dental Centre Owner
General Dentist
Sedation Dentistry
Kelowna Implant Dentist
Dental Implants Kelowna
