If you have been delaying your trip to the dentist out of apprehension, you've come to the right place. Dr. Meng is always happy to offer an oral sedative to help you stay relaxed.
Sometimes there's confusion between sleep dentistry and sedation dentistry. They are not at all the same thing.
• Sleep dentistry involves general anesthesia and is seldom offered in dental offices. General anesthesia is given in hospitals for major surgery, and it renders you entirely unconscious.
It must be given by a specially trained anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, who calibrates the dose, administers it through
IV line or a mask, and monitors your vital signs throughout the procedure. That person will also determine when you are alert and awake enough to go home.
• Sedation dentistry involves a simpler oral medication which does not entirely put you to sleep. It sedates you enough to keep you relaxed and unworried, but alert enough to respond to any requests we might make of you during your procedures. While you are under its influence, you feel calm and safe, which allows Dr. Meng to work more easily on your teeth and gums.
Another advantage of sedation dentistry is that Dr. Meng can work more quickly, and perhaps do several procedures which would otherwise have required several visits. So, for example, in one visit, you could have your gums scaled and planed to remove accumulated tartar and bacteria, several old metal fillings replaced with smooth white porcelain inlays, and a chipped tooth repaired.
If your schedule is very busy, you can save time by having those things done in one visit. We have some patients who have said "Sedation dentistry has been life-changing for me!" They have been able to vastly improve their dental hygiene at home by coming for regular check-ups here. When he sees you once or twice a year regularly, Dr. Meng can detect decay or other problems very early, and by treating them right away, can save you time, money, and discomfort in the future.
Please contact our sedation dentistry today if you would like to learn more about sedation dentistry, or about your dental health.
How Sedation Dentistry Works
Sedation dentistry is easy and simple. Dr. Meng will give you a small pill ahead of time. You would arrange for someone to drive you here and home again afterwards. On the day of your visit, you would take the pill about an hour before you are due to be here. You will have already discussed with Dr. Meng what procedures are being done,
and will know as much as you want to know about how they're done and why they're necessary.
By the time you arrive here, you'll be feeling drowsy and relaxed. One of our team will greet you and escort you to the comfort room. We will cover you with a cozy warm blanket and begin monitoring your vital signs. When you are settled and ready, cosmetic dentist Dr. Meng will do your dental work according to your agreement with him.
When it is all done, we will escort you to a comfortable waiting area, where you can gradually resume your normal alertness. The person who is driving you home can pick you up at any time then. We suggest that you remain home the rest of the day to rest and relax.
Please see Facts About Sedation Dentistry for more information.
Sedation dentistry is a very easy and comfortable way to keep your dental health at a high level. Dr. Meng is pleased to offer sedation dentistry to all his patients. Please feel free to call our sedation dentistry experts if you would like to ask questions and learn more about it.
Facts About Sedation Dentistry
The first fact is:
It works!
Sedation dentistry will dissolve your apprehension and make it easy for you to have your necessary dental work done. There will be no pain or worry.
Another great fact:
It's entirely safe!
You take a small pill before your procedure, and there are no needles or intravenous tubes. The pill is calibrated to an appropriate strength and will last only as long as your dental work requires it. Afterwards it will gradually wear off and you'll be your normal self again.
More advantages
A dim memory -- You can spend the rest of the day relaxing and resting, and may not have much memory of your procedures at all. You might not remember any sounds or smells and will certainly have no memory of pain, because Dr. Meng is highly proficient at administering local anesthetic gently so that it does not hurt. We will numb the area first so that you will not feel any needle.
One visit, not a series of them -- If you are like many people who have dental anxiety, you may have postponed coming to the dentist for some time, and your teeth and gums may therefore need extra work done for cleanliness and health. By taking advantage of sedation dentistry, you can have many procedures done in one visit, instead of coming in for several visits, being anxious each time.
No fatigue - the lower jaw can become strained if dental work must take longer than you would prefer. But sedation dentistry removes that possible problem entirely. We can also use a comfortable support device, just the right size to keep your jaw open without your muscles having to do it.
Please read more on our Sedation Dentistry and How Sedation Dentistry Works pages. You can also read about Dr. Meng on our About cosmetic dentist Dr. Meng page, and the pages linked to it.
Please call our sedation dentistry specialist if you would like to schedule a sedation dentistry consultation for additional information. Dr. Meng will answer your questions clearly and you can meet our friendly team.
Question & Answers
Will I feel any discomfort?
No. You will feel completely comfortable!
Will I be unconscious?
No, you will be in a deeply relaxed state, and you will be responsive.
Will I be monitored?
Yes, one of our team is always with you and your vital signs are monitored during the entire visit. You are never alone.
How long will I be relaxing?
Depending on your needs, from two to six hours.
Will someone need to accompany me?
Yes, due to the sedative effects of the medication, you will need someone to drive you to our office and home again.
Are you a Candidate?
People who have . . .
• high fear
• traumatic dental experiences
• difficulty getting numb
• a bad gag reflex
• very sensitive teeth
• complex dental problems
• limited time to complete dental care
People who . . .
• hate needles and shots!
• hate the noises, smells and tastes associated with dental care
• are afraid or embarrassed about their teeth
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