At Rae Implant Dentistry, we understand that dental anxiety can prevent many patients from seeking necessary treatment. We offer a range of sedation options to ensure your comfort during procedures, from simple extractions to complex implant surgeries. Dr. Rae will discuss your medical history, anxiety level, and procedure complexity to recommend the most appropriate sedation method for your specific needs.

Local Anesthetic

Local anesthetic is our standard approach to pain management during dental procedures. The patient remains totally conscious throughout the procedure while a local anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine) is administered in the area where the surgery is to be performed. Local anesthetic is used in conjunction with other methods of anesthesia in all oral surgery procedures to ensure complete comfort.

• Numbs only the specific treatment area while you remain fully awake and alert
• Takes effect quickly and wears off within a few hours after the procedure
• Allows you to drive yourself to and from your appointment
• Provides effective pain control for simple oral surgery procedures such as minor soft tissue procedures and simple tooth extractions
• May be combined with other sedation options for more complex procedures

Oral Conscious Sedation

Oral conscious sedation involves taking prescribed sedative pills that are carefully selected for you by Dr. Rae. This approach provides a deeper level of relaxation while maintaining consciousness, making it an excellent option for patients with moderate anxiety or longer procedures. Sedative medication is typically given the night before to help you sleep, as well as the morning of your procedure to ensure your comfort throughout the treatment.

• Creates a deeply relaxed state while you remain conscious and able to respond to instructions
• Reduces anxiety and often produces an amnesic effect where you may remember little about the procedure
• Requires a companion to drive you to and from your appointment
• Allows for more complex procedures to be completed comfortably
• Provides extended relaxation before, during, and after treatment

IV Anesthesia with Local Anesthetic

IV anesthesia involves the intravenous administration of sedatives to put you in a diminished state of consciousness throughout the entire procedure. This controlled method allows Dr. Rae to adjust the level of sedation as needed during treatment. IV anesthesia also has additional benefits for reducing post-operative swelling and pain, contributing to a more comfortable recovery experience.

• Produces a sleep-like state where you have little to no awareness of the procedure
• Allows for continuous adjustment of sedation level throughout treatment
• Provides rapid onset and more profound sedation compared to oral options
• Reduces post-operative swelling and discomfort
• Ideal for complex procedures, lengthy treatments, or patients with significant anxiety

All sedation options at Rae Implant Dentistry are administered with the highest standard of care and patient safety in mind. Dr. Rae has extensive training and experience in sedation techniques, and our team continuously monitors your vital signs throughout any sedated procedure. We'll provide detailed pre- and post-operative instructions to ensure your comfort and safety before, during, and after your treatment.

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