Did you know that nearly three-fourths of American adults experience some degree of dental fear? This common issue can prevent people from getting the dental care they need—whether it is routine cleanings or more extensive treatments to restore optimal oral health. At Vineyard Dental Group in Santa Rosa, CA, we use a multi-faceted approach to helping you feel more relaxed and comfortable in the dental chair. Our dentist, Dr. Reza Saeidi, uses a gentle touch and ample patient education to help you feel confident about your treatment, and we also provide our sedation dentistry options to help you feel calm and worry-free. There are multiple types of sedation dental services that can be provided.

Nitrous oxide

The most common type of sedation used by dentists is nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) sedation, which is administered through a small nasal mask. You start inhaling it just a few minutes prior to your treatment, and it provides a calming effect almost instantaneously. We keep the gas flowing throughout your treatment, monitoring your oxygen levels the whole time to ensure your safety. When your treatment is complete, we change the flow to be pure oxygen for a few moments, and you are free to drive yourself home afterwards with no lingering effects.

Oral conscious sedation

For patients with more intense dental phobias, oral conscious sedation can be a great choice. Dr. Reza Saeidi has undergone extensive training and is certified by DOCS Education in the safe administration of oral conscious sedation.

With this method, Dr. Saeidi prescribes you a pill  about an hour before your appointment, which is timed so that it reaches its maximum effectiveness while you are in the office for your treatment. There are multiple types of medications that can be used, and Dr. Saeidi will select the best one for your specific needs. It will provide a strong relaxation effect and help take your mind off of your treatment. You will remain awake and able to answer questions or follow instructions, but in many cases, patients are so relaxed that they don’t even remember their treatment afterwards. With oral conscious sedation, you will need to have a trusted friend or family member drive you to and from your dental visit.

Oral conscious sedation is:

• Safe
• Effective
• Great for people with dental phobias or who dislike needles
• A good way for people to receive multiple treatments in one sitting
• A great option for patients who have a strong gag reflex

To learn more about sedation dentistry and whether it is right for you, call Vineyard Dental Group in Santa Rosa, CA today at (707) 545-0944 or visit us online to request an appointment.