Sedation is a process to establish a relaxed, easy, and calm state through the use of sedative medications. These medications can be administered in pill form, inhaled through the nose (nitrous oxide), or injection intravenously (IV).
In this very sleepy state, patients can still respond if requested, but it can feel as though treatment is completed very quickly (oral or nitrous oxide) or patient have little or no memory of the procedure (intravenous).
This is called conscious sedation for that reason and is very safe in the outpatient setting when administered by a trained practitioner. You may not always be asleep, but you will be comfortable, calm, and relaxed drifting in and out of sleep—a “twilight sleep.”
Many times oral anti-anxiety medications are combined with nitrous oxide or intravenous routes. In a hospital setting, general anesthesia is used which is not considered sedation.We are happy to offer sedation to nearly all our patients in one form or another. Intravenous medications may be limited to fairly healthy patients with more severe dental anxiety.
Sedation is very useful for patients with fear, previous negative dental experiences, a severe gag reflex, “white coat syndrome,” certain cardiac conditions, extreme sensitivity to noises in the dental office, and moderate-to-severe sensitivity of the gums or teeth.
Depending on patient preference, planned procedures, or cost, one form of sedation may be preferable to the others. Oral and IV sedation both require an escort/driver to and from the office whereas nitrous oxide does not.
A consultation prior to the date of treatment will be required to decide which course of sedation is safe and appropriate for you. Occasionally, a patient will be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.A thin needle will be placed in a vein and all medications will be introduced through the tubing. The main medications administered are midazolam (or Versed, a benzodiazepine) and fentanyl (an opiod). Again, some patients will “sleep” whereas others may drift in and out. In addition, the medications provide a great deal of amnesia.
Due to medical conditions, some may be sedated more deeply than others. The goal is to provide a safe level of disassociation of the patient’s awareness from the procedure being performed It is desirable to use the smallest amount of medication possible to achieve comfort while maintaining safety during, and for hour after, the procedure.
A monitor is used throughout the procedure and during the recovery period. In addition, you will be continuously monitored by Dr. Hingst and/or one to two trained assistants. Dr. Hingst has had training in sedation, maintains certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) as well as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) as mandated by the Iowa Dental Board.
A bi-annual sedation permit is granted from the Board, and an on-site inspection is completed to assure the safety of our facility and equipment. Dr. Hingst has been a sedation dentist since 2000 and has completed over 1,400 sedation procedures.Nitrous oxide is a sweet smelling, non-irritating, colorless gas which is inhaled through the nose. It was developed by a dentist long ago and has been used with extreme safety for 175 years. It is a very effective means of relieving mild-to-moderate levels of anxiety and even an exaggerated gag reflex.
You likely will not fall asleep but will have drowsiness, possibly experience euphoric feelings, feel a whole-body comfort, and feel like treatment went more quickly than it actually did. The amount given can be modified throughout the procedure and tailored minute-by-minute for each patient. Afterward, the effects are removed within five minutes and you can drive yourself.
It is extremely safe for adults and children and has little to no effect on the heart and lungs. In addition, nitrous oxide can be used during dental cleanings as well as operative dental treatment.For more information on sedation dentistry in the Cedar Rapids, IA area, call our office at 319-365-0534!
This week is all about Prosthodontics!
We are so lucky to have one of the best Prosthodontists in our office, Dr. Chris Haganman.
Whats a Prosthodontist? They are dental specialists uniquely trained to restore & replace your smile. Whether you need a single implant or a complete full mouth rehab, Dr. Chris will create an individualized treatment plan specific to your needs.
#prosthodontist #prosthodontics #prosthodontistweek #drhaganman #TheDentalCenter ... See MoreSee Less
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💕Cuteness Overload 💕
Our Dental Center Family Tree grew by another branch this past week!
Dr. Kyle and his wife Becca would like to introduce you to their newest addition, baby girl Hattie!
She is absolutely perfect!
Hattie is here, and she’s totally worth the wait.
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Congratulations! Cuteness overload ‘💗🎀
Welcome to the world, sweet Hattie! We are thrilled you are here! 💗
She’s a beauty! I have held her. Precious!
So thankful for this healthy, gorgeous baby girl!
Congratulations
💞Congratulations 💞
I can’t wait to meet her! 🥰
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✨BREAKING NEWS✨
Guess who got into dental school?!?
That’s right there is another Dr. Haganman in the future!!
Your hard work and determination has paid off! Luke, we are all so proud of you & can’t wait to watch you rock dental school!
Luke will be graduating in May with his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with distinction! He will then start dental school in the fall at The University of Iowa.
Congratulations Luke!
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Best news ever!! Congratulations Luke!
Congratulations Luke! We are all so proud of you and you will be such an asset.
How wonderful!! Congratulations, Luke!
Congratulations Luke!!
Congratulations Luke!!
Congratulations Luke! 🎉
Outstanding Luke! Congratulations!
Congratulations to Luke!
Congrats Luke!!
Congratulations Like!!
Congrats Luke! 🙌🏻
Congratulations!!
Congratulations!
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Happy National pet day! 🐾
We love our furry friends & would love to see yours! 🐶 🐈⬛ 🐰 🦎 🐴 🐐 🐓
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Finn🩵
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It’s never too early to start teaching your kids good dental habits. In fact, the earlier you start, the better! Good dental habits established early contribute to a lifetime of healthy smiles!
#dentalhygiene #dental #dentalcare #dentalcaretips #DentalHygieneWeek #bestpatients #TheDentalCenter ... See MoreSee Less
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Happy Dental Hygiene Appreciation week to the amazing RDHs out there who work tirelessly to support the oral and systemic health of our patients!
What they do is far more than “just a cleaning”they prevent stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and screen for multiple types cancers- they are truly PREVENTIVE SPECIALISTS! 🦷🪥
🎉 Shoutout to all of our amazing Dental Hygienists! Thank you for all that you do! We appreciate you!
#dentistry #dentalhygienist #oralcare #DentalHygienistWeek #dentalhygienelife #TheDentalCenter ... See MoreSee Less
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Happy Dental Hygiene week to all the Hygienist at the Dental Center and especially to Melissa for taking such good care of us!
Melissa is our favorite!!