There are many reasons why 50 percent of the population put dental care at the bottom of their healthcare list. For some people, going to the dentist is very difficult. Whether it was a bad experience in the past or other issues, the fear is very real and makes it difficult to take care of their dental health.
If you are one of these growing number of individuals, it's time to rest easy. Dr. Feigelson is one of just a select few general dentists in the region to be New York State Certified in the use of IV Oral Sedation and, with over 3,000 hours and twenty five years of IV sedation experience, we can safely deliver your treatment more comfortably than you might have ever thought possible.
You will rest comfortably and be unaware of the time passing by. Our team will monitor you continuously throughout your visit, whether it be just for a cleaning, or for more extensive treatment. The big plus is that we can accomplish more dentistry at one time, and you will have little or no memory of the experience.
If you have the following, you may be a candidate for sedation dentistry:
For anxious people, this method of treatment is a miracle. Your dental health is important and need not be neglected because you are nervous.
Many of our sedation patients say, "Sedation dentistry has changed my life." Once you have experienced sedation dentistry, you may never be afraid to go to the dentist again. We are especially thrilled when a person who first comes to our office asking for sedation dentistry, has such a relaxing experience over time, that they find they no longer need to be sedated.
You may have seen a lot of news and ads about "sedation" or "sleep dentistry" and all it has to offer. But what does all of this actually mean for you?
What is sedation?
There are two primary types of "sedation"
1. Unconscious Sedation - Most commonly referred to as "general anesthesia". This method is referred to as unconscious sedation because you lose your protective reflexes:
This form of sedation is extremely safe.
Your muscles relax so much that they essentially stop working during the procedure because of one or more of the drugs given to you during general anesthesia. For this reason, the anesthesiologist must use equipment that breathes for you (intubation) and also carefully monitor your vital signs throughout the procedure.
It is the best choice for people who must undergo major surgical procedures, or for those that are mentally or physically impaired or phobic to the extent that this is the safest way to receive treatment.
The major disadvantages are
2. Conscious Sedation - This is when you are deeply relaxed or asleep yet have all your protective reflexes intact. You can breathe on your own and even respond to the doctor.
There are three commonly administered forms of conscious sedation:
1. Inhalation - The one that you probably are most familiar with, nitrous oxide or "sweet air" is the most popular inhalation agent amongst dental patients.
If you want something to "take the edge off" then this may be for you. However, you will still be aware of the sights and sounds of your treatment.
2. Oral Sedation - The most common drug prescribed for this is Halcion. This comes in the form of a pill or liquid that you swallow an hour before your dental treatment is to begin. The disadvantage with this method is that the level of anesthesia is not as predictable as with general anesthesia or I.V. sedation.
Why not?
There is a time delay before it enters the blood stream because this is administered by mouth. Many factors affect its effectiveness
It may take several hours to get you to a proper level of sedation, or it may not happen at all.
Many people have no memory of the entire day!
Since it takes much longer to eliminate the drug from your system, you will feel the effects of the drug for as much as 24 hours.
3. IV (Intravenous Sedation) - Through an I.V. line, medication directly enters the blood stream. The major advantage is that the effects of the administered drugs can be seen almost immediately. The doctor can give you a little more if you are not as sedated as you would like. This is known as "titrating".
This method is extremely safe and effective.
You are only asleep during the actual procedure and leave fully awake - though you still must have an escort drive you home.
Your time in the office is greatly reduced and it is very affordable.
So why all the recent Ads About Sedation or "Sleep Dentistry"?
This is due to aggressive marketing initiated by a general dentist in the northeast. He began a dental organization called D.O.C.S., which in as little as two days, teach a dentist - with no prior training - to sedate their patients with Halcion.
This course also trains their students how to promote sedation or "sleep" dentistry via the internet, radio, television, and print media.
Why is it important to have a dentist as experienced and trained as Dr. Feigelson?
This method of sedation is only as safe as the level of training the dentist received.
As this is a limited course, many dentists who advertise "sedation dentistry" have never, or very rarely have started an I.V. line, which is essential in dealing with emergencies.
Also, oral sedation has little or no effect on many people. If you are not "deep enough" and the doctor is not trained or certified in the use of intravenous sedation, you are sent home without being treated.
We’ve done our best to address some of the more common questions you may have, but we realize there may be more.
If you have further questions related to sedation dentistry, or our services, please contact our office at 631-462-1470.
