Conscious sedation

Intravenous Sedation (“Twilight Sedation”)

Our office offers our patients the option of Intravenous Sedation (IV), also referred to as Dental Intravenous Anesthesia, or “Twilight Sedation,” for their periodontal or dental implant therapy. This is what sets our office apart from other dental practices; it is our niche, if you will.

Intravenous Sedation or “twilight sleep” helps you to be comfortable and calm when undergoing periodontal or dental implant procedures in our office. Your treatment can be completed for you under intravenous sedation if you so desire. It will enable you to tolerate as well as not remember those procedures that may be very uncomfortable for you. IV sedation will essentially help alleviate the anxiety associated with your treatment. You may not always be asleep but you will be comfortable, calm, and relaxed, drifting in and out of sleep – a “twilight sleep”.

If you choose the option of intravenous sedation your IV sedation/anesthesia is administered and monitored by Dr. Mize, therefore eliminating the costly expense of having your treatment carried out in an operating room or same-day surgical facility.

How is the IV Sedation Administered?

A thin needle will be introduced into a vein in your arm or hand. The needle will then be retracted to allow a flexible plastic catheter to remain in the vein through which medication will be given to help you relax and feel comfortable. Once again, some patients may be asleep while others will slip in and out of sleep. Some patients with medical conditions and/or on specific drug regimens may only be lightly sedated and may not sleep at all.

The goal of IV sedation is to use as little medication as possible to complete the treatment. With IV sedation, a constant “drip” is maintained via hollow tubing that connects to the fluid bag. At any time an antidote can be administered to reverse the effects of the medications if necessary. IV sedation is very safe!

Along with IV sedation, there are also different “levels” of sedation available to you in our office. There is nitrous oxide analgesia and oral sedation or nitrous oxide in combination with oral sedation – basically, we can tailor the anesthesia to your need or desire. Once again, all modalities are administered and monitored by Dr. Mize in the safety and comfort of our office environment.

Sedation is also a great option for the elderly, the disabled, or simply put- the fearful!

Sedation for the Elderly

As we age, our oral health becomes more important than ever. Periodontal disease can lead to bone and tooth loss, which affects nearly every part of our daily lives. To lead full and active lives, we need our teeth and gums. They allow us to enjoy food, support speech, and facilitate digestion. Dr. Mize is dedicated to treating elderly patients with care and commitment to comfort and health.

Elderly patients as a group tend to avoid dental visits for a variety of reasons, including more pressing medical concerns, anxiety about treatment, the hardship of transportation, or fixed incomes. Once their oral health has reached an unmanageable point, fear and embarrassment further keep these patients away from the dentist.

For elderly patients embarrassed or fearful of their current oral state, conscious sedation provides the opportunity for Dr. Mize to treat these periodontal conditions while the patient remains relaxed and unaware until “awakening” to an improved oral state!

Sedation for Patients with Moderate Disabilities

It may be especially difficult for people with moderate disabilities to obtain access to proper periodontal care. They must find a periodontist who is skilled and compassionate, and who can provide services for which some dentists may not be qualified. At Sunset Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we provide the expertise, state-of-the-art-equipment, and dedication to assisting special-needs patients necessary to ensuring great oral care for our patients.

Disabled patients may face added challenges in maintaining their oral health. Their disability may make it difficult to brush or floss regularly; they may also suffer a severe gag reflex, or dry mouth as a result of medication. Dr. Mize meets these challenges with oral or IV sedation for patients with moderate disabilities. Dr. Mize is skilled in anesthesia for special-needs patients and can ease the fear associated with out-of-control oral hygiene with one visit.

Sedation for the Fearful

Dental phobia is a real, often overwhelming reality for thousands of people. Negative previous dental experiences, fear of needles or drills, and severe gag reflexes are just some of the reasons people feel extreme anxiety when thinking about visiting the dentist.

If you suffer from dental phobia- fear no more! At Sunset Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we are committed to understanding the very real nature of your fears. Not only will our staff treat you with delicacy and care, but IV sedation will allow you to experience periodontal and dental implant therapy in a whole new way. While engaging in a pleasant sleep-like experience, Dr. Mize will be hard at work making sure you “wake up” with the results you desire.

Here, you can get Intravenous Sedation done. It is termed “Twilight Sedation” too and is good for periodontal and dental implant treatment. IV sedation is our niche & hence, you can expect perfection.

This procedure lets you be calm and comfortable when the procedure is going on. The entire treatment is completed with great ease with IV. Hence, if IV Sedation is necessary, let us know. You won’t have to tolerate the pain of the procedure. Moreover, you will enjoy that twilight sleep.