Comfortable Care with Sedation Dentistry
Sedation is a great option for many patients who need dental treatment. By providing a variety of choices, we can help make your dental experience comfortable and relaxing. With various sedation agents and modalities we can help anxious patients receive the care they need. Dr. Thomas O'Leary completed a one year anesthesia residency at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. There are very few general dentists that that have this level of training. He is able to offer his patients nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation. For those patients with more complicated cases, Dr. O'Leary will work along with a dental anesthesiologist who will provide deep sedation or general anesthesia.
Types of sedation
1. Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) - This is an anxiolytic and helps patients relax during a dental procedure. It wears off quickly and patients can drive themselves home after their appointment.
2. Oral Sedation - The patient takes a pill or has it dissolve under their tongue. The patient is sedated to a level where they are comfortable and relaxed. Patients will follow directions during the dental procedure but do not remember the majority of their visit. This level of sedation requires the patient to have a vested adult drive them home and remain with them for the remainder of the day.
3. IV Sedation - A small IV is started and medication is delivered to the patient. The patient is sedated to a level where they are comfortable and relaxed. This type of sedation has a quicker onset and its effects are more easily controlled. It is often used for surgical procedures such as wisdom teeth extractions. The level of sedation requires the patient to have a vested adult drive them home and remain with them for the remainder of the day.
