Sedation dentistry has been around for over 100 years, and has continued to evolve over the last 40 years as more options are made available to patients. In order to perform sedation, dentists are required to become accredited and complete additional training. However, its widespread acceptance and use has come about more slowly than medical sedation.

While it is common practice to be sedated by doctors for medical procedures, for some time there has been the misconception that routine dental work is not uncomfortable enough to justify the use of sedation. Fortunately, dental sedation is now used worldwide. It has proven to be a safe and effective option for a variety of patients and procedures.

Depending on the extent of the work being done and the needs of the individual patient, Dr. Mann offers three different methods of Clovis sedation dentistry:

1. Oral Sedation (pill) ~ This is the lowest level of sedation we administer, usually for patients who are afraid of getting a shot, or are just anxious about having dental work done. Usually one pill is taken the night before to help the patient sleep, then another an hour prior to the dental appointment.
2. Nitrous Oxide ~ Also known as inhalation sedation or “laughing gas,” this is one step up from the oral sedative. A mask is placed over the patient’s nose, and the flow level is adjusted by the dentist until the patient is comfortable. One advantage of this method is that as soon as the dental work is complete, the patient receives 100% oxygen and the feeling of sedation is gone within a few minutes.
3. Intravenous Conscious Sedation (IV) ~ This type of sedation is ideal for patients with extreme anxiety when it comes to dental procedures, or for those who are having complex dental work that takes a longer period of time to complete. Although the patient is conscious, he or she remembers virtually nothing about the dental work being performed.

Do you live in or around Fresno or Clovis? There is no reason to put off your dental work. Our dentist Dr. Mann is accredited and trained in Clovis sedation dentistry.  You will get the gentle dental care you need. Call us today.