Sedation Dentistry in Woodland Hills, CA

Since some patients have trepidation about dentistry, we offer safe sedation options, so they don’t have to worry about feeling pain during their procedure. Our Woodland Hills dentists are highly experienced in all dental surgeries and sedation options. Patients are carefully monitored during every procedure, and we ensure your safety and your comfort at every step.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

• Reduce anxiety and fear
• Allows for multiple procedures in one visit
• Minimizes discomfort
• Provides a more streamlined experience
• Lighter to moderate sedation to fit your comfort level
• Tune out longer or more complex treatments
• Appropriate for all ages and health backgrounds
• Eliminates the need for outside referrals or trips to medical facilities

Who Should Use Sedation Dentistry?

Our Woodland Hills dentist may suggest adding sedation to your upcoming appointment if you have the following:

• Have sensitive gag reflexes: Sedation helps reduce the sensitivity of gag reflexes, making it easier to sit through your visit without worrying about something tickling the back of your throat. This can be extremely helpful for anyone who avoids dental visits because of a strong gag reflex.
• Very sensitive teeth: Tooth hypersensitivity is more severe for some patients than others. Adding a light sedative to your appointment can help improve your comfort level, even if it’s something as simple as a professional cleaning.
• Have had unpleasant dental experiences: Negative past experiences can often stand in the way of the dental care we need. If you feel even the slightest bit of dental anxiety, we recommend adding sedation to your upcoming appointment. Even people who do not suffer from dental phobia tend to prefer the added level of sedation for more complex procedures. We often find that completing treatment with the help of sedation reduces the anxiety someone experiences during their future visits with us.
• A complex treatment plan: When someone requires multiple lengthy procedures or more complex restorations, it’s usually ideal for breaking their treatments up into shorter appointments. But with sedation, we’re able to plan multiple phases of care during a single visit, reducing the number of trips you make to our Woodland Hills dental office.

What are the Different Types of Sedation?

Depending on your circumstances and procedure you might need, we offer several safe sedation options:

• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is a popular and mild sedative gas that is mixed with oxygen. It wears off quickly and patients do well with this sedation.
• Oral sedation is prescribed by our doctor before your treatment, so when you come in for the appointment you are calm and relaxed.
• IV sedation IV sedation involves intravenous medication. This sedation works quickly, and the dentist can easily control the amount of sedation needed to ensure comfort and relaxation.

Your Safety is Our Top Priority

At Woodland Hills Family Dentistry, we offer safe and comfortable sedation options to ensure that your dental experience is as pleasant as possible. Our team of experienced and highly skilled dental professionals is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality of care and personalized treatment options to help you achieve your ideal smile.

Because sedation dentistry involves the use of specific types of medications, we will want to complete a thorough health history review beforehand. Please be sure to provide us with a list of any medications or supplements that you take, as well as any recent surgeries or hospitalizations.

What to Expect

Planning for a sedation dentistry appointment involves a few important steps to ensure a safe and successful procedure. Before your appointment, you will have a consultation with our dentist to discuss your medical history, medications, and any allergies you may have. It is important that you inform us of any changes in your health before the procedure. Our Woodland Hills dentist will also explain the type of sedation that is recommended, the length of the procedure, and any other relevant information. You will also be given instructions on preparing for your appointment, including when to stop eating and drinking before the procedure.

After the sedation dentistry procedure, you will need to have a responsible adult drive you home and stay with you for at least 24 hours unless you’re using nitrous oxide, which is 100% reversible within the first 10-15 minutes after your procedure. The effects of deeper types of sedation can last for several hours, so it is important that you do not drive, operate heavy machinery or go back to work during this time. You should also plan to rest and avoid strenuous activities for the rest of the day.

Our sedation dentist will also provide you with post-operative instructions on how to care for yourself after the procedure, depending on which type of treatment is planned that day. You may experience some mild discomfort and swelling, but these symptoms should subside within a few days. If you have any concerns or questions about your recovery, please do not hesitate to contact our office, even if it’s after normal business hours.

Sedation Dentistry in Woodland Hills, CA

If you’re interested in learning more about sedation dentistry, contact Woodland Hills Family Dentistry in Woodland Hills to schedule a consultation with our experienced dentist.

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On This Page

• Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
• Who Should Use Sedation Dentistry?
• What are the Different Types of Sedation?
• Your Safety is Our Top Priority
• What to Expect

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Helpful links: WebMD (Sedation Dentistry) | ADA (Glossary of Dental Terms)