Delivering Excellent Care with Your Comfort in Mind
Dental anxiety is fear, stress or anxiety associated with the dental setting. According to research, 50-80% American adults have some degree of dental anxiety, ranging from mild to severe. Sedation dentistry is an increasingly common and proven method to alleviate anxiety and relax patients during appointments. As a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Afolabi Ogunleye (known by his patients as “Dr. O”) has the certification and experience to administer all types of sedation dentistry, including general anesthesia in Papillon, NE, to both adult and pediatric patients. The anesthesia model used by oral and maxillofacial surgeons provides safe and cost-effective access to dental care that requires deeper levels of anesthesia, right in the dental office. At Premier Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we offer all types of sedation to match both the complexity of your treatment and your level of anxiety. If you’re looking for an oral surgery practice with excellent credentials, extensive experience and a caring, gentle touch, you’ll feel more comfortable than you ever thought possible when you visit our practice!
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
- Minimal procedural pain or discomfort
- Increased relaxation during treatment
- Decreased dental anxiety and fear
- Reduced gag reflex
- Fewer appointments and the ability to combine treatments
- Improved oral and general health from receiving necessary care
Our Select Sedation Options
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is administered in the form of a pill taken about an hour prior to your scheduled surgery. The prescribed sedative (e.g., Valium) produces a desired state of relaxation during treatment. We may recommend taking medication the night before your appointment, especially if you have dental anxiety. Throughout the procedure, we closely monitor your vitals to ensure your safety. Although you’ll remain conscious and responsive while feeling relaxed during the procedure, you may forget parts, or the entirety, of your treatment! Due to lingering effects of the sedative, someone will need to drive you home after your procedure.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” has been used in dentistry since 1844. The non-irritating, colorless gas is mixed with oxygen and breathed through a small mask placed over your nose. It’s easy to adjust the concentration of nitrous oxide to achieve various levels of relaxation, so for most patients, nitrous oxide is a great option for alleviating mild anxiety when undergoing less complex procedures. Typically, nitrous oxide takes effect almost immediately upon administering it, and wears off only a few minutes after stopping its flow, so you should be able to drive yourself home.
IV Sedation
IV sedation dentistry in Papillon, NE involves administration of an anti-anxiety drug through a thin needle placed in a vein in your hand or arm. The needle is connected to an intravenous tube that delivers the sedative directly into your bloodstream. Although most patients remain conscious and are able to talk during the procedure, drifting into a sleeplike state is fairly common. Throughout the procedure, we closely monitor your vitals and can easily modify the amount of sedation medication and/or local anesthetic to ensure your maximum comfort. The amnesic effects of the drug cause most patients to forget parts of – or the entirety of! – their treatment. Due to some lasting effects of the medication, someone will need to drive you home after your procedure.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia uses a combination of inhaled gasses and IV medications to induce complete unconsciousness. While under anesthesia during the procedure, you won’t be able to respond or feel pain. General anesthesia may be indicated if you have a high tolerance for medications used for IV sedation, or if you’re undergoing traumatic dental procedures. For example, general anesthesia is sometimes the preferred option for extraction of wisdom teeth that are completely impacted or for other types of complex oral surgery. In addition to the convenience of being able to receive general anesthesia from a highly trained and certified team right in our office, CHI Health Midlands is just five minutes away. Dr. Ogunleye treats patients at this hospital who require emergency or trauma-related oral surgery.
Dental Anxiety Impacts More Than Smiles
Apprehension about going to the dentist can cause delays in getting necessary care, which can lead to serious but preventable oral health conditions. Left untreated, small dental health issues can eventually turn into big ones, which could impact more than your oral health! For example, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, but can potentially lead to additional systemic complications in advanced stages. Increased pain and the need for more complex and expensive treatments are just two of the potential repercussions. With a full spectrum of available anesthesia options in Papillon, NE, there’s no reason to let this happen to you. Specialized and comprehensive sedation options delivered by our highly trained team offer the safety, comfort and confidence needed to achieve and maintain a healthy smile.
Customized sedation provides a truly comfortable dental experience!
Call to schedule a visit and ask our team about soothing sedation.
