Sedation Dentistry Specialist

What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is the use of medical sedatives to alleviate pain and anxiety during your dental procedures. Sedation dentistry can improve the dental experience for anyone, but it’s particularly useful if you experience dental anxiety.

What are your qualifications for sedation dentistry?

The oral surgeons at Rothman and Kim Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery have licenses to administer many types of anesthesia in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

To maintain their licenses, the team participates in many hours of continuing education in anesthesia and maintains certifications in basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS), and pediatric advanced life support (PALS). Every five years, a state-approved inspector examines their facilities and monitors their techniques and patient management. 

The dental assistants have also all passed the dental anesthesia assistant national certification examination (DAANCE).

Is sedation dentistry for me?

To determine whether sedation dentistry is safe for you, your oral surgeon performs a thorough assessment of your medical history. 

In some cases, such as certain medical issues or having a particularly small oral airway, you might not be a candidate for in-office anesthesia. If that’s the case, your oral surgeon might recommend performing your surgery at a hospital or surgical center.

What are the different degrees of sedation?

Rothman and Kim Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery offers a few levels of intravenous sedation, including:

Light sedation

With light sedation, you remain conscious throughout your procedure and can respond to verbal commands, but you feel more relaxed, have an altered sense of your surroundings, and might not remember everything about your procedure.

Moderate and deep sedation

Much like going under general anesthesia, moderate and deep levels of sedation produce a loss of consciousness. In addition to a feeling of general euphoria, you also lose concept of time and have no memory of your procedure.

How should I prepare for sedation dentistry?

To properly prepare for intravenous anesthesia, do not eat anything for eight hours before your appointment, including chewing gum. You can, however, have clear liquids, like water, up to four hours before your surgery. You must also refrain from smoking for at least 12 hours before your surgery, though you should ideally stop smoking for as long as possible prior to your surgery.

You should wear loose-fitting clothing and low-heeled shoes to your procedure, and avoid lipstick, excessive makeup, and nail polish on the day of your treatment. You’ll have to remove any contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures before your surgery.

Lastly, if you suddenly come down with a cold, sore throat, upset stomach, or any other relevant medical condition, notify the office immediately.

Schedule your visit with Rothman and Kim Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery today by calling the office or booking online, and learn more about your sedation dentistry options.