Sedation Dentistry in Lodi, NJ

Dental Associates of Lodi provides sedation dentistry in Lodi, NJ. Call our office today at 862-247-8030 to learn more and schedule your appointment.

We want to make your dental visit as comfortable as we can!

We all know that dental procedures can be stressful, and many people have an outright fear of the dentist. For those who suffer from dental anxiety or phobias, sedation dentistry can help. Sedation dentistry is also useful for those having particularly complex procedures, as well as patients with certain special needs.

Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a mild but effective form of dental sedation. You will inhale a controlled mix of nitrogen and oxygen through a mask on your nose, bringing on a sense of relaxation and giddiness, and reducing fear. It is normal to feel somewhat light-headed, and you may experience heaviness or tingling in your arms and legs. Nitrous oxide wears off in minutes, making it an excellent choice for those who fear being “put under,” or who want to drive home afterwards.

Conscious oral sedation is mild to moderate depending on which medication is used, the dosage, and your tolerance level. You will be mostly awake, but will feel deeply relaxed. It is not unusual to doze off, though you can be awakened easily.

This is an excellent option for those who need or want more than nitrous oxide, but do not want to sleep through their treatment. You will need someone to come to your appointment with you and drive you home afterwards. You may be groggy for a few hours, so ask your companion to sit with you until the medication wears off.

Administered under the care of our dental/medical anesthesiologist, IV sedation invokes a deep sleep similar to general anesthesia. You will be highly groggy and “out of it” for the rest of the day, so someone must drive you home and stay with you throughout the night. This method of sedation works really well with patients who suffers from severe dental anxiety. It also diminishes the gag reflex which makes the dental treatment much easier.  The recovery times for IV sedation is much shorter than oral sedation and general anesthesia.

If you are interested in sedation dentistry, here are a few tips to help you prepare:

• Let your dentist know about any medical conditions you have, as well as your complete health history. This way, we can make sure that we choose the right sedation option and create the before- and after-care plans that are best for you.
• Be prepared to take time off work following your procedure, especially if you are having oral or IV sedation.
• If you are having oral sedation, we may ask you to take a pill before coming to our office. Make sure you understand exactly what to take, at what time, and whether to take it with food.
• If you are having IV sedation, we recommend that you not eat or drink anything for 6 to 12 hours prior to your appointment.
• Drink lots of fluids after your appointment to flush your system, but do not drink out of a straw or drink anything very hot or cold for the first 24 hours.
• Keep a copy of your discharge instructions, as you may not remember everything we tell you. This is especially true if you have oral or IV sedation.

Call 862-247-8030 to learn more and schedule your appointment.

We recommend to schedule a no obligation appointment to meet with our doctor to discuss your dental needs so we can customize your sedation treatment options.

Yes, anesthesia is very safe. All the medications administered during the sedation are safe and have minimal side effects. We use all the require equipment to monitor you and to make sure the procedure can be carry out safely. In addition, our anesthesiologist conduct a thorough pre-sedation assessment to ensure optimal safety.

We strive to make our services affordable to restore your smile. Every case is different and different complexity. We start by offering a complimentary consultation, where we discuss sedation options that is good fit for you. Our financial coordinator with work with you to customize a payment option to suit your needs.