Sedation Dentistry

Many people experience a dental visit with little or no anxiety. Yet for some people their fear of dentistry can be intense. We understand that these people usually don't get the care they need and want. The result being an unattractive smile and a mouth filled with disease. These fears are real and must not be underestimated. They are often related to childhood traumatic experiences and in some cases adult traumas. These previous memories are very frequently vivid and often hard to overcome. In our office their significance is never ignored.

Fortunately today there are some advanced practices where this problem is recognized and treated. Dr. Melnick believes in treating the whole patient, not just the teeth. We have developed a technique where treatment can be done painlessly, comfortably and without anxiety. We are happy to offer a consultation to anyone interested in discussing sedation dentistry.

Dr. Melnick has found that oral sedation dentistry is the best of the several methods used to achieve these goals. There are a variety of oral medications today that specifically are designed to eliminate anxiety and cause the memory of the procedure to fade away. Long proven, commonly used in medicine, they are very safe and easy to use. These medications have helped millions of people. Since some people remain relaxed and sleepy for a few hours, we ask that plans are made to drive the patient home just to be on the safe side.

We want to add just a word about "sleep dentistry". Some dentists use intravenous drugs to induce general anesthesia or deep sedation. The patient is fully unconscious. Dr. Melnick feels that the risks involved are greater than the advantages with this approach. All of the same side effects of hospital general anesthesia can occur. These can include nausea, grogginess, and fatigue for several days. Also seen is bruising where the IV line is inserted.

An equally serious problem is that the dentist's attention is diverted from the dentistry to monitor the patient's vital signs and re-administer the drugs as needed. Dr. Melnick prefers to concentrate on the dentistry especially in these complex cases. As you are probably aware, in a hospital setting the surgeon does the surgery while the anesthesiologist does the anesthesia.

Sedation dentistry as we practice it can be a wonderful tool to help people overcome their fear and obtain the oral health and appearance that the want. With today's knowledge of the connection between oral health and a person's general health the stakes are very high.