Sedation Dentist in Los Angeles

Have you ever been scared of going to the dentist? Do you experience agitation and have trouble sleeping the night before your dental appointment? Have you ever wished that you could just fall asleep and then awake and all treatment is done? You are not alone: today nearly 1 in 3 people experience fear of going to the dentist! The good news is a sedation dentist can help alleviate your fears and provide a pain-free and anxiety-free experience at the dentist. Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Anthony Mobasser, a top cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles today!

Sedation Dentistry in Los AngelesPain-FreeDr. Anthony MobasserDr. Anthony Mobasser aka ” Celebrity Dentist ” who practices in Los Angeles, near Beverly Hills and the West Hollywood CA area, recommends Sedation Dentistry for his apprehensive patients, or his Executive patients who want their dentistry done in a day, having as much treatment done in one session.

Most of his out-of-town patients or patients visiting him from around the world want their treatment done in a shorter period of time, efficiently and without any discomfort whatsoever, that is why he does bring in a dental Anesthesiologist to cater to their needs.

Dr. Mobasser also recommends IV sedation for his medically compromised patients who suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy, and other medical complications. Of course, a complete consultation with Dr. Mobasser and his Anesthesiologist is a must.

Dental Sedation common procedures in Los Angeles

What Are The 3 Forms Of Sedation Used In Dentistry?

1-IV (intravenous) Sedation Dentistry or Twilight Sleep, done in the office.

2-General Anesthesia (usually performed in surgical centers or hospitals).

3-Oral sedation, or conscious sedation, using pills, with the possibility of using nitrous oxide N2O, laughing gas.

Sedation dentistry allows you to be sedated just enough to be pain-free and unaware of the treatment as if you were relaxing the entire time. This is why it is commonly referred to as conscious sedation dentistry.

So, if you have sensitive teeth, a fear of dentists, bad gag reflexes, if you detest needles, or have limited time to spend at the dentist, visiting a sedation dentist may be right for you.

Why is Intravenous Sedation right for you?

Intravenous sedation, the most powerful form of sedation available. So, you do not feel any discomfort, nor remember the procedure you went through, the dental treatment is performed for you while sleeping, it is also termed Sleep Dentistry.

This method involves using an IV line to administer a very precisely calculated dose of relaxing agents or drugs directly into your body to immediately quiet your mind. It is our preferred method of sedation and the most common choice of discriminating patients who do not do well sitting in dental chairs.

CONSCIOUS SEDATION or Oral Sedation Dentist

Anti-anxiety sedatives (i.e. Benzodiazepine) are typically used orally. Pills such as Valium, Xanax, or Ativan can be administered to relax the patient sufficiently. Consistent with standard procedure for anesthesia, one must not operate a vehicle after the sedation and the individual must arrange for a ride home.

In the event of lengthy, complex procedures, barbiturates and/or opiates can be utilized in combination with the other drugs or compounds. However, in such events, a highly trained dental anesthesiologist is present for the procedure to monitor the patient.

What are the main advantages of IV sedation?

The onset of action is very rapid, and drug dosage and level of sedation can be tailored to meet the individual’s needs. This is a major advantage compared to oral sedation, where the effects can be very unreliable. IV sedation, on the other hand, is both highly effective and very reliable.

The maximum level of sedation which can be reached with IV Sedation is deeper than with Conscious or inhalation sedation (such as Nitrous Oxide or N2O gas). The gag reflex is largely diminished – people receiving IV sedation rarely experience difficulty with gagging. However, if minimizing a severe gag reflex is the main objective, other methods such as topical anesthetic must be considered first.

Dental Sedation in Los Angeles - Cosmetic Dentist - Sedation DentistAnother advantage of conscious IV Sedation (as compared to general anesthesia) is, it does not really introduce any compromises in terms of carrying out the actual procedures, since the patient is conscious and able to cooperate with instructions. Further, there is no airway tube to deal with.

Conscious Sedation Anti-anxiety medication is the simplest form of sedation where you take a pill the night before and a half hour before your dental visit. This pill will allow you to relax a bit before the procedure, but you will still need an injection of local anesthesia to ensure proper sedation. Sometimes, getting over a little anxiety is all it takes for you to proceed with the necessary treatment and avoid further breakdown.

How To Choose the right Sedation Dentist?

Experience, Knowledge, ability, and reputation, for your safety and get the optimal necessary treatment done. Today there are many dentists promoting “sedation dentistry”, but an exact definition of the term “Sedation Dentist” does not exist. Suffice it to say how many times they have done sedation dentistry with no complications, and of course knowing the right dental Anesthesiologist also, with EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE is of vital importance when evaluating to go through sedation dentistry.

Is Dental sedation safe?

Generally speaking, it is extremely safe, depending on the reputation and expertise of your dentist. on some individuals with extreme medical and systemic conditions such as heart problems, obesity, sleep apnea, and neurological disorder the dental anesthesiologist will consult the patient-physician for safekeeping.

Today, people are looking for something more than a shot of Novocaine. Some people would just rather “sleep through it”, due to their dental phobia, or limited jaw opening, or having problems with the sound of drill or instruments, low pain threshold, and in order to get their necessary or elective dental treatment, they need a dentist who offers them sedation dentistry, and someone they can trust.

Keep in mind the following issues to discuss with a sedation dentist:

  • Are you a sedation dentist? 

Get all the details you need, as far as how long they have been doing it, are they in good standing by the Board of Dentistry? Have they worked hand in hand with the general dentist or the cosmetic dentist performing your procedure, and if they are affiliated with any local hospitals.

  • What types of patients does the sedation dentist treat routinely?

Patients with heart problems, diabetes, or systemic conditions are good candidates to make them at peace while going through dental procedures. Phobic individuals, those individuals with low pain threshold, or patients that are really hard to get numb.

  • What type(s) of sedation does the dentist offer?

You must ask if your dentist only does certain sedations or does your dentist offer the 3 categories: Conscious, IV, or General Sedation. Sedation dentist options are definitely not “one-size-fits-all,” and they’re not interchangeable with each other.

  • Can I get all my treatment done in one sedation visit?

That is possible depending on the amount of treatment needed and how many hours you will be on sedation and how is your medical history? Also, one must the treating dentist if he works closely with other dental specialists such as Prosthodontist, Periodontist, and Endodontist to make sure that all your dental needs can be coordinated together and be met.

Can he or she have such specialists treat you while you are under sedation? Ask the treating dentist if his treatments can be combined to reduce the number of appointments necessary. An experienced sedation dentist will guide you through that.

  • How much does a sedation dentist cost?

The cost of IV sedation dentist varies, depending on who is doing it, and their experience. The cost can start with $500 for the first half-hour and $400 for the additional half-hour. The cost of experienced IV sedation is usually around $750 to $1000 per hour.

Is a sedation dentist Covered by Dental Insurance?

It is very uncommon for insurance companies to cover a visit to a sedation dentist. However, in certain select cases, insurance can cover the additional cost (if for example, a treatment that would otherwise require multiple visits is conducted during one visit). Intravenous sedation is usually not covered under any of the common circumstances.

The cost of IV sedation is usually a separate fee added to the cost of the dental procedure. The hourly rate can range from $250 to $1000 per hour depending on duration, past medical history, and the experience of the anesthesiologist.

Is IV Sedation Safe?

IV sedation is Entirely safe! Specialized training is required for the operating dentist, and if certain drugs are used, an anesthesiologist must also be present. However, when carried out correctly and under proper conditions, IV sedation is even safer than localized anesthetic on its own!

Exceptions: if you are pregnant, have known allergies to Benzodiazepine, are intolerant of alcohol, suffer from CNS depression, or have some instances of Glaucoma, IV sedation cannot be performed. Additional concerns are considered in instances of psychosis, impaired function of Lungs, Kidney or Liver, or advanced age.

What to do after IV Sedation Dentistry?

  1. Make sure you are escorted home by a responsible party. It is recommended that you stay home for the remainder of the day.
  2. Stay in the presence of a responsible party until you are fully alert again.
  3. Avoid any tiring or laborious activity (including driving) for the rest of the day.
  4. Do not consume a heavy meal right away. If you feel hungry, you are better off with light foods like a piece of toast.
  5. If you are feeling sick and experiencing nausea, lie down. A soft drink can help as well.
  6. Do not consume alcohol or take medications for the remainder of the day, unless otherwise directed by the dentist.
  7. Take further medications as directed by your dentist.
  8. If anything, unusual occurs, call your dentist.

If you are interested in visiting a sedation dentist in the Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, CA area, contact Dr. Mobasser today!