Oral sedation is a wonderful option for patients who need more than just nitrous oxide, but don’t need or want IV Sedation. It allows many people to be comfortably sedated through an entire dental visit using just a small pill.
What is Oral Sedation?
Oral sedation is a method of conscious sedation where Dr. James Sparaga uses pills to sedate a patient. Most healthy adults are good candidates for oral sedation. For some, comfortable dentistry is as simple as taking one small pill.
What is Conscious Sedation?
Conscious sedation is modern dentistry that lets even the most high fear patient have a relaxing and comfortable dental visit. Since the patient is comfortable, Dr. James Sparaga is able to accomplish the work of several appointments in just one. There are a number of conscious sedation techniques, but they all have certain things in common. In dentistry it is much more common to use conscious sedation, where the patient is sedated and comfortable, yet still awake. When Dr. James Sparaga uses conscious sedation, you don’t really fall asleep, even though sometimes it feels like you did. That’s because sedation feels so relaxing and peaceful that the patient doesn’t even notice the passing of time. Many of the medications used in conscious sedation have an amnesiac effect as well, leaving patients with little or no memory of their dental appointment, and further adding to the feeling that the patient was asleep.
Is Oral Sedation for me?
Oral sedation is wonderful and incredibly effective for most healthy adults. For many, it is the answer they have been looking for all their life.
DISCUSS SEDATION WITH DR. JAMES SPARAGA IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SOUND LIKES YOU
You are uncomfortable in the dentist’s office
You are too scared to even call the dentist and make an appointment
You can’t stand the smell and sounds of the dentist’s office
You are delaying treatment you know you need
You are in pain when you eat, but too anxious about the dentist to take care of it
You are unable to find a dentist that you feel you can trust
You have trouble getting numb – the anesthetic doesn’t seem to work on you
You are afraid to smile
You are concerned about how many dental appointments you know you’ll need
You are looking for a way to have the work of several appointments done in just one or two
You remember bad experiences with a dentist in your past
You need your wisdom teeth removed
You have sensitive teeth
You have a strong gag reflex, especially when the dentist is working in your mouth
You have trouble with jaw soreness when you have to keep your mouth open
You are afraid of needles
You have back or neck pain when you sit in a dental chair
Who is a good candidate for gum recontouring?
Anyone who has uneven gums, a “gummy” smile or receding gums with teeth that look too “long” is a good candidate for gum recontouring. “Gummy” smiles make your teeth look to small. Gum recession not only makes your smile look older, but it could lead to loose teeth and sensitivity to hot and cold.
What do gums have to do with my smile?
When you look at the perfect smile, sometimes you can’t instantly separate all the elements that make it appealing. But if you look closely, one thing that beautiful smiles have in common are correctly proportioned gums. If the gums don’t look right, something will look “off” about the smile because the shape of the gum affects the shape of the teeth. A “gummy” smile makes your teeth look short and less attractive. When the gums are pulled back and receded, teeth can look too “long”. Proper proportion, size and color in healthy gums make your smile look its best.