Dentistry
Our Difference
Ottawa’s Sedation Dental Group difference can be defined by two key elements to address two thoughts we hear from many patients over the past 35 years:
1. AM I ALONE IN THIS?
NO, YOU ARE NOT.
We are proud to have a practice that is built around sedation dentistry for over 35 years which means we have seen thousands of patients that came here for sedation dentistry for all their dental needs.
2. WILL I BE SAFE?
YES, YOU ARE.
Our process, our facilities, and our highly experienced and trained staff have been the core of our service quality. We have grown around patient needs and ensuring every bit of their concerns for safety and quality care are addressed.
Types of Sedation
Sedation techniques have made dental care available in Ottawa to all those that need it.
Despite having made oral health accessible to a large number of people, the unfortunate reality is that most still don’t know about this option. Although sedation in dentistry is not a new phenomenon, it has somehow managed to avoid mainstream awareness.
We will explain the different types of sedation and their benefits, however, the first question that needs to be addressed is WHO can benefit?
The answer to that is fairly broad and all-encompassing. Generally speaking, sedation dentistry can benefit people that:
- Are anxious or afraid to visit their dental office
- Have had a traumatic experience with a dentist in the past
- Have a very sensitive gag reflex
- Are embarrassed about their smile
- Have a strong aversion to needles
- Have difficulty in experiencing the full effects of traditional anaesthesia
- Require longer or more invasive procedures
- Have difficulty with or have a limited opening of the jaw
- Have hypersensitivity to pain
There are four types of dental sedation, each inducing a different level of relaxation. During your first consultation at Ottawa’s Sedation Dental Group, our team will carefully assess which sedation dentistry approach will make you most comfortable. The four levels are:
- Laughing Gas Sedation
- Oral Sedation
- IV Conscious Sedation – Moderate Sedation
- IV Sedation – Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia
Laughing Gas Sedation
Nitrous sedation uses laughing gas to induce a euphoric feeling in patients during their treatment. Laughing gas can also act as a “pain killer” for soft tissues such as the gums which makes it particularly effective for appointments targeting periodontal hygiene.
Unlike oral sedation, the effects of laughing gas can be increased or decreased throughout the appointment to adjust for changing needs and no injections are needed to administer the laughing gas.
Finally, unlike the other two forms of conscious sedation, there are no lingering effects after the use of laughing gas. People can drive home in Ottawa as well as outside the city, only minutes after their appointment and are thus not reliant upon others for help getting home.
Although an effective option for many, laughing gas does not work for everyone. Some people simply cannot achieve the level of comfort needed in order to be able to proceed with a regular course of treatment.
Oral Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is used with patients that suffer from mild anxiety when attending their regular dental appointments. Traditionally, a single prescription of the oral sedative is prescribed and patients will take the pill a half an hour hour before their scheduled appointment.
It is a great option for most patients suffering from a mild form of anxiety. However, due to dose calculation procedures, approximately 25% of the population does not respond to oral sedation and remain unaffected by it. This means that for that segment of the population in Ottawa, oral sedation is not a viable option.
As with IV sedation, we insist that all of our patients receiving oral conscious sedation treatment be accompanied by a travel companion to ensure safe travel to and from the office.
IV Conscious Sedation - Moderate Sedation
IV conscious sedation is a potent and effective anaesthesia technique to help with more difficult cases of anxiety or complex courses of treatment. A sedation dentist will introduce intravenous drugs into the bloodstream to help patients relax and adopt a carefree attitude, even when faced with situations that would normally be quite stressful. Because they are so deeply relaxed, most patients end up falling asleep during their dental appointments!
IV sedation provides anti-anxiety sedatives that allow patients that are either anxious when it comes to dentistry, have a severe gag reflex or have unusual reactions to traditional local anesthetics to receive necessary dental care and maintain better oral health.
IV sedation can allow the sedation dentist to administer local anaesthetic and proceed with a normal course of treatment by reducing emotional or physical distress.
It is not uncommon for patients to have complete or partial memory loss for the period of time immediately after the intravenous drugs take effect, right until the end of the appointment.
It is important to note that patients that are undergoing IV sedation are required to have a travel companion to help ensure that they get home safely.
Due to the nature of the intravenous drugs that are used, dentists wanting to provide sleep dentistry must undergo a rigorous training regimen to become certified. Once certified, the sanctioning body (RCDSO) closely regulates their practitioners to ensure that patient care always remains the primary focus. It is why we are proud to be the Dental Sedation Group here in Ottawa.
IV Unconscious Sedation - Deep Sedation and General Anaesthesia
IV unconscious sedation is the most powerful and effective sedation technique available to general dental practices. IV sedation provides anti-anxiety sedatives that allow patients that are either anxious when it comes to dentistry, have a severe gag reflex or have unusual reactions to traditional local anesthetics to receive necessary dental care and maintain better oral health.
IV sedation allows the sedation dentist to administer local anaesthetic and proceed with a normal course of treatment without having the patient experience any emotional or physical distress.
Patients undergoing this type of sedation are likely to undergo complete memory loss for the period of time immediately after the intravenous drugs take effect, right until the end of the appointment.
It is important to note that patients that are undergoing IV sedation are required to have a travel companion to help ensure that they get home safely.
Regardless of the type that is applied, our team is trained and experienced with hundreds of cases to ensure that each treatment is done to meet the utmost care and safety standards.
Due to the nature of the intravenous drugs that are used, this type of sedation is only administered by highly trained medical or dental anesthesiologist that undergo numerous years of training. Once certified, the sanctioning bodies (RCDSO and CPSO) closely regulate their practitioners to ensure that patient care always remains the primary focus. It is why we are proud to be the Dental Sedation Group here in Ottawa.
Regardless of the type that is applied, our team is trained and experienced with hundreds of cases to ensure that each treatment is done to meet the utmost care and safety standards.
Sedation for Adults
Sedation for Children
Providing children with a positive dental experience is vital. Not only will it help them with any fears they may have, it will also give them a baseline for future dental experiences. Studies have shown those with positive health care experiences early in life will be more apt to continue with regular medical and dental care throughout the course of their lives. As parents we want our children to feel at ease in a medical environment, and we want your child’s experiences to be positive as well.
When your child begins dental care, it is our priority to make it as stress-free as possible for them and you. During the initial visit, we will examine your child’s teeth and gums, take x-rays and review their medical history. We do not rush the initial visit, as we want your child to be as comfortable with our office and staff as possible. If your child shows signs of anxiety, we will help them relax by letting them take a break by doing another activity. Our experience with children has given us the tools to make children feel at home in our office.
In the event of the need for sedation during treatment, we will go over all aspects of the medications used, procedures followed, and what to expect. We are here to answer any questions you have regarding pre and post-treatment procedures.
Dental Fear & Anxiety
A negative dental experience early in life can have a great impact on how you view the dental profession throughout your years. If you find yourself getting nervous just with the thought of visiting the dentist, you may have had a less than positive dental history. It is common for those with dental anxiety to avoid getting regular dental care, which can lead to gum disease, cavities and tooth loss. Some would sooner live with dental pain or unsightly teeth than visit a dentist. Often it is not the fear of the dentist, but rather the procedures that a visit entails. Some fears are related to dental procedures, while others are not.
The following is a list of possible causes of anxiety:
- Fear of pain
- Feeling helpless and out of control
- Being embarrassed about the condition of one’s teeth, and of the fear itself
- Previous negative dental visits, which can include both pain during visits and unprofessional conduct
- Feelings of humiliation caused by family, friends or others
- Learned behavior – if a parent or caregiver is afraid of the dentist, children are more apt to be the same; even without their own experiences to base their fear
- Fear of needles, drills, gagging, or the sensitivity to odors in a dental office
- Negative experiences with medications designed to relieve pain or anxiety
Is Dental Sedation Safe?
With over 35 years of experience, from evolving our practice with our skillfully trained team, to the physical setup of our office, to the healthy habits we teach our patients – Sedation Dental Group has patient safety as a top priority. Our practice follows all RCDSO and Health Canada regulatory procedures to ensure your complete safety and security during dental sedation. We are trained professionals who administer and monitor all aspects of your care before, during and after sedation.
Our monitoring equipment is identical to what you may find in any medical facility. The Pulse Oximeter monitors pulse and blood oxygen saturation. Furthermore, to comply with RCDSO policies, our equipment is checked by certified regulatory specialists annually.
If you have questions regarding the equipment, we will be happy to demonstrate the procedure to set your mind at ease.
