Sedation Dentistry

We use advanced sedation dentistry for a wide variety of in-house services. Our goal is to ensure you are comfortable, calm and relaxed through any dental treatment or dental procedure. Our team will work closely with you to assess what fears you may have and determine a treatment option that feels comfortable for you.

Dental Sedation

Dental sedation is a safe, convenient, and effective way to ensure you are comfortable and relaxed during your dental procedure. Sedation helps minimize pain and reduce anxiety to make your experience as comfortable as possible. At Finger Lakes Dental, we offer dental sedation through laughing gas, general anesthesia, and IV sedation. IV sedation is most commonly used for surgical procedures, such as wisdom teeth removal or dental implants.

dentist speaking with older male patient as he sits in the dental chair
  • What is laughing gas and what does it do?

    Nitrous Oxide, commonly referred to as Laughing Gas, is a mild sedative that can help reduce your anxiety. It will not put you to sleep. It’s colorless and odorless and its usefulness stems from its ability to quickly work and safely reverse its effects. It is a widely considered safe dental sedation method.

  • What type of anesthesia are used for dental work?

    The most common types of anesthesia used are local anesthesia, oral sedation, and IV sedation.

    • Local anesthesia is a numbing medication that is injected directly in the area that is to be treated—usually the gums around an infected tooth.
    • Oral sedation is a more convenient type of anesthesia as there is a brief period of sedation and often times little memory of the procedure. You take a pill approximately one hour before your procedure begins so by the time the dentist begins working, you feel completely relaxed.
    • IV sedation produces a more profound experience that usually leaves no memory of the actual procedure. It’s typically used for more intensive procedures like tooth extractions, dental implants or other surgical procedures, however the patient is conscious during the process.
  • Who can benefit from sedation dentistry?

    Sedation dentistry can benefit patients who experience dental anxiety or phobia, have a low pain threshold, have a strong gag reflex, require extensive dental work, or have difficulty sitting still for long periods. It can also be helpful for children who are unable to cooperate during dental procedures.

  • How long does the effects of sedation last?

    The duration of sedation depends on the type and amount of sedative medication administered, as well as individual factors such as metabolism and tolerance. In general, the effects of minimal to moderate sedation may wear off within a few hours after the procedure, while deep sedation or general anesthesia may take longer to wear off and may require monitoring until the patient is fully awake.

  • Is IV sedation dentistry safe?

    Yes, IV sedation dentistry is considered safe when administered by trained professionals. The dentist will evaluate your medical history and ensure you are a suitable candidate for IV sedation before proceeding.

More questions?

If you have more questions about dental sedation and the procedures used by Finger Lakes Dental, please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss further.