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Sedation

Comfortable and relaxed dental visit

Dental treatment with sedation is an opportunity for patients to feel comfortable and calm even during complex or lengthy dental procedures. Dental Art offers various sedation methods tailored to each patient’s needs and preferences to reduce anxiety and discomfort during treatment.

In this page you can read more about the following dental sedation options that Dental Art offers:

Laughing Gas (Light)
Intranasal Sedation (Light)
Dental Sleep (Mild)
General Anesthesia (Deep)

Intravenous Sedation or Dental Sleep

Medications are administered into the patient’s vein, inducing a deep relaxation state where the patient remains conscious but has minimal recollection of the procedure. This is performed under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.

Intravenous sedation is the perfect way to help you relax if you’re nervous about dental treatment, have a strong gag reflex, or if you’re having a procedure that may cause discomfort (such as a complex root canal, tooth extraction, or a large amount of work to be done at once ). You will be in a sleep state during the sedation, which is ideal for patients who want to avoid the noise and vibration of the drill.

Effects of IV Sedation

It reduces your anxiety and makes you feel relaxed.
It makes you feel sleepy.
You won’t remember the procedure.

Important Guidelines Before Sedation

Attend a consultation to determine if sedation is suitable for you.
Continue taking any prescribed medications as usual.
Do not eat or drink anything for at least 6 hours before the procedure.
Bring a responsible adult companion with you.

Please do not bring children to the procedure.

Your Companion:

Must be at least 18 years old and personally known to you.
Must arrive and remain at the clinic with you.
Should be able to take you home and care for you for the rest of the day.

Where Is Dental Treatment Under Intravenous Sedation Performed?

The treatment will be carried out at the Dental Art clinic in one of the dental offices. During the procedure, an anesthesiologist will remain in the room at all times to monitor your condition. Your companion can wait for you in the waiting area.

How Does the Intravenous Sedation Procedure Work?

Before the procedure, you will need to sign a consent form agreeing to dental treatment under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. The staff will explain the risks, benefits, and alternatives before asking you to sign the consent form.
Your blood pressure will be checked before and after the procedure.
A very thin plastic tube will be inserted into a vein in one of your arms. Medication will then be administered, which will quickly make you very sleepy and relaxed.
During the procedure, a device will be attached to your finger to measure your pulse and oxygen levels (saturation).
Local anesthesia will also be given during intravenous sedation. It will take a few minutes for the injection to take effect and ensure that you feel no pain during the treatment.
The duration of the sedation will depend on the amount of work required.

What Happens After Intravenous Sedation?

You will need to stay in the waiting area until you are ready to leave. Recovery usually takes about an hour.

On the day of intravenous sedation

Do not stay alone—go home with your companion, preferably by car.
Do not ride a bicycle or motorcycle.
Do not operate machinery.
Do not consume alcohol.
Do not return to work or sign legal or other important documents.

Important Reminder

Sedation may not always be a suitable method. Before choosing dental treatment under sedation, you must attend a consultation with a dentist. This is necessary to ensure that treatment under sedation will be a suitable and safe method for you—the dentist must assess your overall health and dental condition.

Inhalation Sedation or Laughing Gas

Laughing gas, commonly known as nitrous oxide, is an inhalation sedation method also used in dentistry. It alleviates fear and provides a sense of calm for the patient. As a result, our patients no longer remember the phrase, “I’m afraid to go to the dentist!”

The American company Matrx developed a device over several years that produces a calming inhalation mixture consisting of 30% oxygen and 70% laughing gas. This is a safe device with electronic controls and a system that prevents dosage calculation errors. The delivery of laughing gas is automated. Dentists in the USA, the UK, and Israel have long and successfully used laughing gas in dentistry. This technology has very few contraindications and is widely used, especially in pediatric dentistry. Our dentists use sedation to ensure young patients do not feel stressed and are not afraid to visit the dentist regularly.

How Does a Procedure with Laughing Gas Work?

Through a nasal mask, the substance enters the nasal cavity, and the exhaled air is removed with a high-speed suction device. Based on the patient’s age and health condition, the dentist determines the dosage and can adjust it as needed during the procedure.

While the patient inhales laughing gas, they feel relaxed and calm. The patient remains conscious, can respond, and communicate with the dentist. Once the procedure is complete, the mask is removed, and the effect of the laughing gas stops immediately.

During the procedure, the patient experiences emotional comfort, relaxation, and calmness. Most importantly—no fear!

Important Information About Inhalation Sedation

Sedation is not a painkiller; it only has a mild analgesic effect. Pain-free dental treatment requires anesthesia or local painkillers.
Sedation is not the same as general anesthesia.
The gas is entirely eliminated from the body after the effect ends, allowing the patient to drive immediately after the procedure.
It is the dentist’s responsibility to create a psychologically comfortable environment for the child; otherwise, the gas will not prevent unpleasant experiences.

Dentists recommend sedation during the first visit, except in cases where the patient is very young and cannot communicate with the dentist or when other contraindications are present. For adult patients, sedation is recommended if there is severe fear of the dentist. It is important to note that adults have more contraindications to using laughing gas, such as chronic illnesses, alcohol dependence, head trauma, etc.

For children, sedation with laughing gas can be used once they reach an age where they can communicate with the dentist and allow the mask to be applied. This sedation method is recommended for children aged four and older.

Intranasal sedation

Intranasal sedation is a modern, needle-free method of administering sedative medications through the nose, offering a solution to choosing sedated dental treatment for those who are afraid of syringes. This type of sedation is also a great solution for children who are very anxious about visiting the dentist.

The medication is absorbed through the nasal mucosa, helping the patient to feel calm and relaxed. Intranasal sedation is a mild level of sedation and during it the patient is fully conscious, but feels relaxed. It should be noted that the effect of intranasal sedation is short-lived, so it will not be suitable for complex dental procedures.

How Does the Intranasal Sedation Procedure Work?

Intranasal sedation medications are administered via nasal spray, offering a needle-free alternative that provides rapid sedation without discomfort. The patient remains conscious throughout the duration of the medication, is able to respond to instructions, but feels calm and comfortable. This method is particularly useful for patients with mild to moderate anxiety or shorter dental procedures.

Benefits of Intranasal Sedation

No syringe: Ideal for patients who are afraid of needles.
Less anxiety: Helps reduce fear and anxiety associated with dental visits.
Intranasal sedation is an alternative to laughing gas.

Intranasal sedation Is Suitable For

Patients who have mild anxiety during dental visits.
Patients who are not scheduled for a long, complex dental procedure.
Children who are afraid of the dentist.

General Anesthesia

Deep sedation or general anesthesia is used for more complex dental procedures, when the patient is placed in a state of complete unconsciousness. During the effect of general anesthesia medications, the patient is in a state of complete loss of consciousness and pain. This type of sedation is administered and monitored by an experienced anesthesiologist, ensuring the patient’s safety throughout the procedure.

How Does General Anesthesia Work?

Before administering deep sedation medications, the patient is carefully examined to determine whether this type of sedation is safe for the patient’s individual health condition. This examination is performed by an experienced anesthesiologist. If the patient’s health condition is suitable for dental treatment under general anesthesia, then an anesthetic is administered during the planned procedure, placing the patient in a state of unconsciousness. Throughout the procedure, the anesthesiologist carefully monitors the patient’s health indicators, controlling the supply of substances, ensuring the patient’s safety and comfort throughout the process. This method is ideal for complex and long dental procedures, patients with severe anxiety, gag reflex or people with special needs.

Benefits of General Anesthesia

You will not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure.
The procedure will be supervised by an experienced anesthesiologist.
Effective dental work

General Anesthesia Is Suitable For

Patients who are scheduled for a long, complex dental procedure.
Patients who have a severe or even panicky fear of the dentist.
Patients whose health condition has been assessed by the anesthesiologist as suitable for deep sedation.

Why choose Dental Art?

Dental Art offers an individual approach to each patient, carefully assessing each patient’s medical history, individual needs and desires. The clinic uses the latest technologies and sedation methods that ensure comfort and peace during the procedures. Our experienced specialists work in a controlled environment, adhering to strict safety and hygiene requirements to ensure excellent treatment results. The Dental Art team stands out with a professional and empathetic attitude, making each patient’s experience pleasant and safe.

What to know before the procedure?

Each patient’s path to dental treatment under sleep begins with a consultation, during which the doctor asks the patient about their current health condition, medications used, needs, wishes, and explains different types of sedation, their benefits and risks. Once the most suitable solution has been found, the patient must sign a consent form for the procedure.

IMPORTANT! On the day of the procedure, you should not take any medications on your own, unless this has been previously agreed with the anesthesiologist or dentist.

Dietary restrictions before the procedure:

8 hours before the procedure – you should not eat heavy food. Fried, fatty or difficult to digest foods, as well as large portions, should be avoided.
6 hours before the procedure – no food or drinks, except for small amounts of water (up to 200 ml).
2 hours before the procedure – no food or drinks, or water or other drinks.

It is important to refrain from smoking for at least 24 hours and from drinking alcohol for at least 48 hours before the sedation procedure. Smoking can reduce oxygen levels in the body and irritate the airways, increasing the risk of anesthesia complications. Alcohol can interact with sedation medications, causing unpredictable reactions or increasing side effects, such as respiratory depression and blood pressure fluctuations.

Please follow these recommendations to ensure a successful and safe procedure.

Recommendations and aftercare

It is recommended to rest and avoid any physical activity for at least 24 hours after sedation, and you should not drink alcohol. Since sedation causes drowsiness, you will need a companion who can take care of you after the procedure and take you home. After the procedure, you should follow the dentist’s recommendations regarding oral care and diet – these will be related not to the effects of sedation, but to the specific dental treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the differences between sedation types?

Sedation types vary in strength and method of action. Laughing gas provides mild sedation and is suitable for patients with mild anxiety, while intravenous sedation provides deeper relaxation and is suitable for more complex procedures or to reduce anxiety. Intranasal sedation, using a spray to administer sedatives through the nose, offers a quick and gentle effect, especially suitable for children. General anesthesia, on the other hand, is the most intense, providing complete unconsciousness and is used for serious or lengthy procedures. Different patients may require different types of sedation, taking into account their medical condition, the complexity of the procedure, and their individual needs.

Is sedation safe?

Yes, when performed by qualified professionals, sedation is safe and effective, as the patient’s vital signs are carefully monitored throughout the procedure.

Why is sedation needed in dentistry?

Sedation helps reduce patient anxiety and discomfort, allowing complex or lengthy procedures to be performed in maximum comfort. Sedation allows for effective treatment even for patients who are particularly anxious or have a strong gag reflex.

Is sedation suitable for children?

Yes, in the appropriate dose and under control, some forms of sedation, such as laughing gas, are also suitable for children, especially those who have a strong fear of dental procedures.

How to prepare for a procedure with sedation?

Recommendations for the type of sedation and preparation for the procedure may vary for each patient and will be explained in detail during the consultation, taking into account the patient’s health condition and individual needs.

The patient should usually refrain from eating and drinking for at least 8 hours before the procedure, as well as from taking any liquids other than water for at least 6 hours before the procedure, and should also refrain from drinking water for at least 2 hours before the procedure. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and provide an accompanying person, as the ability to drive a car or react quickly may be limited after the procedure.
On the day of the procedure, you should not take any medications on your own unless this has been previously agreed with the anesthesiologist or dentist.

It is important to refrain from smoking for at least 24 hours and from drinking alcohol for at least 48 hours before your sedation procedure. Smoking can reduce oxygen levels in the body and irritate the airways, increasing the risk of anesthesia complications. Alcohol can interact with sedation medications, causing unpredictable reactions or increasing side effects such as respiratory depression and blood pressure fluctuations.

Will my insurance policy cover the cost of the visit?

Depending on the terms of your insurance policy, the cost of sedation may be partially or fully covered. Present your policy to our administrators during your visit and they will provide you with all the necessary information.

Can I split the payments?

Yes, Dental Art offers several options to make sedation more affordable and help you plan your finances. We offer the following payment options:

Payment per visit: At your first visit, your dentist will create a treatment plan that will include the number of visits and the cost of each visit. The entire treatment plan does not have to be paid for at once, but in installments upon arrival at the respective appointment.

Insurance policy: If you have health insurance, your insurer may cover the treatment costs in part or in full, depending on the terms of the policy.

Credit options: You have the opportunity to enter into an agreement with one of the credit institutions that Dental Art cooperates with to cover the treatment costs, thus allowing you to spread the payments and plan your finances in the long term.

info@dentalart.lv

(+371) 67 278 933 (+371) 29 207 418

Dental Art, 20 Kr. Barona iela, Rīga, LV-1050

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