Sedation for Dentistry

Oral Sedation (Halcium or Valium)

Dental treatment can make many people anxious. The injection of local anesthesia, the noise and the general atmosphere of a dental office can be frightening. That is why we ask some of our patients to consider sedation. Oral sedation is the simplest and least expensive way to go. You take one pill the night before, for a good night’s sleep, and one pill one hour before the dental visit. Your arrive at the office fully awake but more relaxed. It’s amazing to us, but patients taking oral sedation seem to need less local anesthesia to get numb!  You do need a ride to and from the office when taking oral sedation.

Inhalation Sedation (Nitrous Oxide/ Oxygen Gas)

Inhalation Sedation is an safe, alternative to Oral Sedation. It is used, often, with children.  It does not put you to sleep and you are aware of what is going on but you are more relaxed and may feel like you are “floating.” You should eat a light breakfast before using Nitrous Oxide and it would also be nice to get a ride home since you may feel a bit woozy afterwards. Sometimes Inhalation Sedation can be combined with Oral Sedation for more profound sedation.

Moderate Sedation (Also called Conscious  Sedation or Intravenous Sedation)

We are very proud of the fact that we offer our patients the option of Moderate Sedation. This is what sets us apart from most other dental practices.

Intravenous Sedation helps you to be comfortable and calm when undergoing dental procedures. It’s similar to the sedation provided during same-day surgery in a hospital (i.e.- like a Colonoscopy).  Moderate Sedation will enable you to tolerate as well as not remember those procedures that may be very uncomfortable for you. You may not always be asleep but you will be comfortable, calm and relaxed, drifting in and out of sleep – a kind of  “twilight sleep”. The drugs we use for Moderate Sedation can include Versed, Benadryl, Nubain, Valium  or Fentanyl.

Your Moderate Sedation would be administered and monitored by Dr. Alvarenga.and his staff. Everyone in the office is trained in Basic Life Support and Dr. Alvarenga is also trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Dr. Alvarenga has been providing Moderate Sedation for 18 years.

Moderate Sedation does add cost to the procedure but it is the best way to go if you “don’t want to know what is going on.”