Questions to Ask Your Sedation Dentist

Sedation dentistry allows you to undergo dental procedures in a calm, pain-free state while having little or no recollection of your dental treatment. It is ideal if you have dental anxiety or want to have multiple, complex procedures performed in a single visit.

Before you undergo sedation dentistry, you should know as much as you can about the risks and benefits. Here are some questions to ask your sedation dentist, which will help you decide if sedation dentistry is right for you:

• Ask what types of dental sedation are available, and which is best for your situation. Most practices offer oral sedation, but some also offer inhalation sedation with a nitrous oxide/oxygen combination. Others offer deep sedation, where medications are administered intravenously. Discuss with your sedation dentist your level of anxiety, dental needs and desired procedures. Your dentist will take this information and factor in your health history, height and weight and recommend a method of sedation that will best meet your needs. Sedation dentists should not recommend the same sedation treatment for every patient, because everyone’s needs differ.
• Ask if your dentist has had dedicated training on oral sedation. If not, you may want to consider sedation dentistry and cosmetic or neuromuscular procedures elsewhere. You can still continue to see this dentist for routine visits and cleanings, but sedation dentistry and advanced dental procedures should be left to professionals with sufficient experience.
• Ask if your potential sedation dentist is affiliated with any local hospitals. This is good to know in case something goes wrong during your sedation treatment and you must seek emergency care. While your level of sedation and vital signs will be monitored closely to decrease the chance of complications, sedation dentistry does carry risks.
• Ask about the risks and complications associated with your method of sedation. The conscious sedation used in dental procedures is considered a “moderate” level of sedation.
• If you are taking other medications, ask your sedation dentist about the possibility of dangerous drug interactions.

Dr. Joel Miller and the dental team at Aesthetic Dentistry of Valencia are highly trained and qualified dental professionals who can enhance your smile and increase your self-confidence safely and effectively. To learn which procedures are right for you, please contact our office to arrange your no-cost consultation.