Conveniently located to serve Gilbert & Chandler, AZ
Fear of dental visits can be debilitating. Since it’s often related to traumatic experiences patients may have had as children, it can also be difficult to overcome. Many modern dentists, including Dr. Glenn LeSueur, offer alternatives that can help you get past your fear and get the dental care you need painlessly and without anxiety.
"Awesome experience! Amazing staff from the moment I called to schedule my appointment, the dental assistant was so sweet and explained everything to me. The doctor went above and beyond to answer all my questions and made me feel very comfortable."
What Is Sleep Dentistry (IV Sedation)?
Some dentists use general or IV anesthesia, and refer to this practice as “sleep dentistry.” With sleep dentistry, you are completely unconscious while dental work is being done. This may seem like a good idea at first, especially if your dental phobia is particularly intense, but it’s not the best approach to take. General anesthesia carries a number of risks and has a wide variety of possible side effects. The after-effects of general anesthesia can be extremely uncomfortable, involving intense nausea and grogginess. Dr. LeSueur does not currently offer IV sedation in office, but does offer referrals to other specialists for this type of sedation.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
The point of sedation dentistry is to provide peace of mind to the patient undergoing dental treatment. In most cases, it does not involve anesthesia, but simply puts the patient into a very relaxed state. Sedation dentistry makes use of a mild oral sedative and/or nitrous oxide (laughing gas) administered before or during your dental work. Sedation dentistry is a powerful tool to help you overcome your fear of the dentist and take care of dental work you may have been putting off for years.
Sedation Dentistry Vs Sleep Dentistry
While sedation dentistry is sometimes incorrectly referred to as sleep dentistry, the sedated patient is actually awake and can respond (but is very relaxed) and remembers little or nothing about the visit. When looking for a sedation dentist, though, it’s important to be sure you understand what the individual dentist means if they use the term “sleep dentistry.”
Dr. LeSueur practices sedation dentistry, and is a member of the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS) and never uses IV anesthesia. General anesthetic and IV relaxation are the true “sleep dentistry” and are not used due to numerous risks inherent in their use..
By contrast, in sedation dentistry, oral sedation or nitrous oxide leaves you in a thoroughly relaxed, “floaty” state. You’re aware of what’s going on, but with no anxiety or fear whatsoever. If you opt for nitrous oxide, you can even drive yourself home after your procedure and many times you will have no remembrance of the procedure at all. Be sure to arrange a driver if you have oral relaxation, though, as the effects take longer to wear off.
What Are The Advantages Of Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is a protocol through which people who are anxious to see the dentist can receive the care they need to maintain healthy teeth and gums. There are several advantages to the use of dental sedation, including:
- Years of clinical testing and use have proven sedation techniques safe and effective.
- The use of sedation allows patients to complete multiple treatments in one visit.
- Sedatives calm the central nervous system, which reduces awareness of the sights and sounds of the dental office.
- Using sedative as an alternative to anesthesia, patients can breathe and swallow on their own. No intubation is necessary.
- Sedation enables patients with cognitive and physical disabilities to comfortably receive dental care.
- Patients are unlikely to remember much, if anything, about their dental visit due to the amnesiac effect of some sedatives.
- Our methods of sedation are also advantageous because they are easy to administer without a needle.
What Advantages Of Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep dentistry is somewhat of a misnomer. Usually, when people use the term sleep dentistry, they are referring to sedation techniques such as oral conscious sedation. However, there are some dentists who administer full anesthesia that puts patients into a sleep state. This is usually achieved with IV anesthesia. The advantages of sleep dentistry are identical to those that can be achieved with conscious sedation, except that patients are not aware of their surroundings when under deep anesthesia. Dr. LeSueur does not currently offer IV sedation in office, but does offer referrals to other specialists for this type of sedation.
Schedule An Appointment
For more information on sedation dentistry at Drs of Smiles, call and schedule an appointment at 480.834.6991 today! Dr. Glenn LeSueur serves Mesa, Gilbert, Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding areas.
Dr. Glenn LeSueur is a Mesa dentist, serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, and other East Valley Cities in Arizona, combine LVI training and state-of-the-art technology to bring you, and your entire family, the very best and healthiest cosmetic and neuromuscular dental care.
Visit our before and after gallery to see the results we are able to achieve for our patients. Please contact or call 480.834.6991 to schedule a consultation at Drs of Smiles.