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SEDATION DENTISTRY

West Hollywood | Beverly Hills

Safe & Effective Relaxation

West Hollywood Sedation Dentistry at Dr. Borzoo Ahmadi, DDS

Dentistry today has never been more comfortable, safe, and effective. However, the unfortunate reality is that a great many of us still have some level of anxiety when visiting the dentist.

While many grin and bear it for the sake of our smiles, others actually put off important dental visits. In fact, it has been estimated that some 30 percent of the adult population may avoid visiting the dentist because of dental phobias or general nervousness. That’s why we offer a number of outstanding sedation dentistry options designed to take the stress out of good oral hygiene.

What is
Sedation Dentistry?

At our practice in West Hollywood sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. It’s sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry,” although that’s not entirely accurate. Patients are usually awake, with the exception of those who are under general anesthesia. The levels of sedation used include:

Minimal Sedation

You are awake but relaxed.

Moderate Sedation

(formerly called “conscious sedation”)

You may slur your words when speaking and not remember much of the procedure.

Deep Sedation

You are on the edge of consciousness but can still be awakened.

General Anesthesia

You are completely unconscious.

What Types Of Sedation Dentistry are available?

There are a number of types of sedation dentistry offered at our practice. Depending on the kind of treatment patients are going to be receiving, as well as their level of nervousness, dentists and patients can select from a number of options. These include:

Minimal to Moderate Oral Sedation

Depending on the total dose given, oral sedation (typically in pill form) can range from minimal to moderate. For minimal sedation, you take a pill. Typically, the pill is Halcion, which is a member of the same drug family as Valium, and it’s usually taken about an hour before the procedure. The pill will make you drowsy, although you’ll still be awake. A larger dose may be given to produce moderate sedation. This is the type of anesthesia most commonly associated with sedation dentistry. Some people become groggy enough from moderate oral sedation to actually fall asleep during the procedure. They usually can, though, be awakened with a gentle shake.

Inhaled Minimal Sedation

In this method, you breathe nitrous oxide — otherwise known as “laughing gas” — combined with oxygen through a mask that’s placed over your nose. The gas helps you relax. Your dentist can control the amount of sedation you receive, and the gas tends to wear off quickly. This is the only form of sedation where you may be able to drive yourself home after the procedure.

IV Moderate Sedation

With IV sedation, you receive the sedative drug through a vein, so it goes to work more quickly. This method allows the dentist to continually adjust the level of sedation.

Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia

You will get medications that will make you either almost unconscious or totally unconscious — deeply asleep — during the procedure. While you are under general anesthesia, you cannot easily be awakened until the effects of the anesthesia wear off or are reversed with medication.

It’s important to note that selecting the form of sedation must take into account a number of factors beyond the procedure and the patient’s preferences. The individual’s medical history can be an extremely important factor, as safety and the patient’s overall health are always the most important considerations. Also, of course, it’s necessary to have someone else drive the patient home from the dentist whenever potentially mind-altering drugs are employed in the course of a procedure. Regardless of which type of sedation you receive, you’ll also typically need a local anesthetic — numbing medication at the site where the dentist is working in the mouth — to relieve pain if the procedure causes any discomfort.

What are the benefits of Sedation Dentistry?

Whether or not sleep dentistry is being employed, Dr. Borzoo Ahmadi and our entire team are dedicated to ensuring that patients are as relaxed and comfortable as possible at all times. This means employing the latest techniques and proven best practices to maximize comfort and reduce patient stress.

Dr. Borzoo Ahmadi is certified for IV sedation and moderate to deep sedation, meaning he can perform treatments under sedation without the need to bring in another anesthesiologist. Eliminating the need for an additional medical provider can make procedures more economical and easier to coordinate. We are fully equipped with the most updated equipment for performing minimal to deep sedation in our office. If you are seeking out an outstanding dental team who knows how to put you at ease and can provide you with a full range of options to ensure that your dental treatments are as comfortable and as free of stress as possible, we are here to help. Call us at the number on this page or reach out to us via e-mail through our contact page. Our entire team looks forward to providing you with outstanding dental care.

Your Sedation Dentistry Consultation

With today’s options for sedation dentistry West Hollywood patients have no reason to feel anxious or uncomfortable at the dentist. Along with extremely effective local anesthesia, a range of sedation techniques makes it easy to access high-quality cosmetic and general dental care that can improve your confidence and the quality of your everyday life.

At your initial visit and consultation to prepare for your sedation dentistry West Hollywood Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Borzoo, will ask about your sedation preferences and help you explore the available options. This will include asking questions about your medical history to ensure the safest and most effective method for your needs is selected.

Sedation Dentistry West Hollywood

Your Sedation Dentistry Procedure

That depends on the type of sedation you undergo. Oral sedation is relatively simple and involves taking a prescribed medication about an hour prior to your procedure. You’ll feel more relaxed yet completely aware of your surroundings during treatment. If you choose nitrous oxide, you’ll be instructed to inhale the gas at the beginning of your appointment.

Additional nitrous can be administered throughout your procedure to keep you in a state of euphoria. At the conclusion of your treatment, you’ll be given oxygen to help ‘snap’ you out of your sedated state. If IV sedation is right for you, you’ll be instructed to avoid foods and beverages for five to six hours before your appointment. A sedative will be administered to you intravenously prior to your procedure, causing you to fall into a deep sleep. You will be monitored throughout the procedure, and your dosage will be adjusted as needed.

Sedation Dentistry Recovery and Aftercare

Depending on the type of sedation you undergo, a licensed driver may need to drive you home from your dental appointment. If you undergo IV sedation, you may need to be supervised for several hours following the procedure. We will go over these details before your appointment to ensure you are fully prepared with the information you need to make a safe and successful recovery.

Sedation Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions

Can you really relax in the dentist's chair?

Does the thought of having your teeth cleaned make your entire body tense with fear? Would you rather endure the agony of a toothache than step foot in a dentist’s office? You’re not alone. A lot of people are so phobic about going to the dentist that they prefer not to have any treatment. For people who avoid dentists like the plague, sedation dentistry may take away some of their anxiety. Sedation can be used for everything from invasive procedures to a simple tooth cleaning. How it’s used depends on the severity of the fear.

When you say “Sedation Dentistry,” don’t you just mean laughing gas?

No, actually laughing gas (nitrous oxide) is actually not as common as it once was. The most popular form of sedation dentistry that I use today as a sedation dentist is oral sedation. This just means the patient takes a pill that puts them in a relaxed, sedated state for the procedure. (Of course, you will need someone to pick you up and drive you home after sedation dentistry because the effects do not wear off immediately.) There are various different pharmaceuticals, dosages, and strengths that can be used in sedation dentistry, depending on the specific situation and patient. Another form of sedation dentistry that we offer is IV sedation. This is where the sedative is introduced directly into the bloodstream. This is much less common than oral sedation and is typically used in cases where heavier sedation is called for or when oral sedation is not suitable for a particular patient for one reason or another.

What’s the difference between a Sedation Dentist and a regular dentist?

Well, actually, we are not a different breed of dentist! A sedation dentist is someone who has taken additional training and continuing education in the field of sedation as it applies to dental procedures. Dr. Borzoo took extensive coursework and residency training to become certified for IV sedation and deep sedation. So, sedation dentists are “regular dentists” who have decided to offer the additional service of sedation to help our patients. Sedation dentists often work with patients who need extensive dental reconstruction work because some of this work would be very uncomfortable without sedation.

Is Sedation Dentistry safe?

Sedation dentistry is extremely safe when administered by a licensed sedation dentist. But if you’re obese or have obstructive sleep apnea, talk to your us first because you’re more likely to have complications from the anesthesia. Depending on your medical profile and any risk factors, we may take extra precautionary measures to administer sedation or anesthesia in a safe and predictable way. Before the procedure, we will go over your medical history and ask about any medications you’re currently taking. We will monitor your vital signs during the procedure and have oxygen and drugs that reverse the effects of sedation on hand in case you need them.

How do I know if I need a Sedation Dentist? Who is Sedation Dentistry good for?

As a sedation dentist, this is one of the most common questions I receive. Sedation dentistry is typically appropriate in cases where the dental work will:

  • Be uncomfortable or painful without sedation
  • Take a long time
  • Cause significant anxiety or stress for the patient

Sedation is best suited for people with a deep fear or anxiety that prevents them from going to the dentist. It may also help people who:

  • Have a low pain threshold
  • Can’t sit still in the dentist’s chair
  • Have very sensitive teeth
  • Have a bad gag reflex
  • Need a lot of dental work done

Sometimes, children are given sedation if they are terrified of going to the dentist or refuse to cooperate during the visit. Nitrous oxide tends to be safe in children, and just about any dentist can administer it. A smaller percentage of pediatric dentists are trained to give children oral sedation. Oral sedation can be safe when kept within the recommended dose for the child’s age and weight.

Some people have a real fear of the dentist. As a result, unfortunately, it is often these same folks who require the most extensive dental work because they have been avoiding the dentist. So, for these patients, sedation dentistry is literally a miracle. It allows them to arrive at the office and then “wake up” a few hours later with barely any memory of the dental work, with a brand new, beautiful smile!

This is one of my biggest pleasures as a sedation dentist. Sedation dentistry helps me achieve results for such patients that would have been nearly impossible before the advent of modern, safe, and comfortable sedation dental techniques.

What are the levels of Sedation Dentistry?

The level of sedation used depends on how severe your fear is. We may perform your procedure with the aid of minimal, moderate, or deep sedation or with general anesthesia.

Serving West Hollywood and Beyond

Time to see a dentist? Let us introduce you to a new level of care at the practice of Dr. Borzoo Ahmadi, DDS, in West Hollywood, CA. Patients from West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and all over the world have unlocked more beautiful smiles and lasting oral health with our help. We can’t wait to show you your most confident smile. 

(310) 562-4746

9201 W Sunset Blvd, Suite 710
West Hollywood, CA 90069

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(310) 562-4746

Mon - Thur: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Fri: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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Dr. Borzoo Ahmadi DDS
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