Sedation Dentistry

"I slept through the whole visit and I don't remember anything. Wow!"

Our aim is to completely relax our patients while they are in our office, as your dental visit should be a restorative time for mind, body and spirit. If you don’t feel comfortable during treatment, talk to us about ways to help you relax. Modern preventive techniques, advances in anesthesia, nitrous oxide and many new relaxation techniques allow our patients to leave our office feeling better than when they arrived!

Nitrous Oxide

Dr. Melissa offers Inhalation Sedation (Nitrous Oxide Gas), often referred to as "laughing gas", as an effective anesthetic that has many benefits for patients seeking dental treatment.

Nitrous Oxide is a very safe way to provide mild sedation for a patient that has trouble sitting still or just wants to "take the edge-off" of treatment. It does not replace traditional local anesthetics to numb your mouth. The laughing gas is administered through a special nosepiece and is very comfortable. One of the advantages of using laughing gas is you can drive to and from your appointments. There are NO residual effects from the gas; once we turn it off, within 5 minutes it is completely out of your system. The only patient that would not be able to use laughing gas would be a patient that has COPD and uses supplemental oxygen daily or someone who could not breath through their nose. Laughing gas is most commonly used to help children relax in our office but we have many adults that find it very helpful. Please ask us if you have any questions about laughing gas.

Oral Sedation

Dr. Melissa Jarrell offers stress-free dentistry through a range of sedation options. You’ll know that the dental work was done, but have little memory of how it happened. Oral Sedation refers to a mild to moderate type of sedation administered with a tiny “sleeping pill” in your mouth. We normally prescribe a prescription drug called Halcion or Ambien. When it is prescribed in the dental office and combined with laughing gas it has an amnesia effect with most people and commonly our patients sleep through the procedure.

You will be amazed at how much dental work can be accomplished while you are sedated. Dr. Jarrell can restore years of neglect in just one or two visits. She can replace broken crowns, fix bridges, repair chipped teeth, heal painful gums, and whiten discolored teeth and more. It will go so quickly, even the busiest schedule can accommodate the work you need done.

Please fill out our Consent for Oral Sedation Form!

Candidates For Sedation Dentistry

People who have...

• high feartraumatic dental experiences
• difficulty getting numb
• a bad gag reflex
• very sensitive teeth
• complex dental problems
• limited time to complete dental care

People who...

• hate needles and shots
• hate the noises, smells and tastes associated with dental care
• are afraid or embarrassed about their teeth

Answers to questions about sedation dentistry

Will I be unconscious?

No, you will be in a deeply relaxed state, and you will be responsive.

Will I be monitored?

Yes, one of our team is always with you and your vital signs are monitored during the entire visit. You are never alone.

How long will I be relaxing?

Depending on your needs, from two to six hours.

Will someone need to accompany me?

Yes, due to the sedative effects of the medication, you will need someone to drive you to our office and home again.

The facts of sedation dentistry

• It Really Works! You really can relax through your dental appointment.
• It Is Safe! You take a small pill prior to treatment,no intravenous tubes or needles. 
• You will have little or no memory of the experience. You won’t remember any sounds or smells. 
• You can relax for up to five to six hours after taking the pill. The time you are relaxing will vary depending on your needed treatment. 
• Complex dental treatments, that often require six to eight appointments, can be done in as little as one! All while you relax. 
• People who have difficulty getting numb will find that sedation dentistry eliminates this problem. 
• Sedation dentistry is a safe way to reduce the fatigue of extended dental treatment requiring long visits.