Sedation Dentistry in St. Louis, MO

Nitrous Oxide

Also, called “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is a short-acting inhaled sedative. Patients breathe in this colorless, faintly sweet-smelling gas through a nosepiece prior to beginning treatment. Nitrous oxide slows down the patient’s nervous system and induces a sense of calm and euphoria. Because the effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly, patients are able to drive themselves home post-treatment.

Anxiolysis (Xanax or valium)

For the patients who want something to help them relax but do not desire more extensive levels of sedation such as conscious sedation or I.V. sedation.  We also have the option of adding nitrous oxide in combination with Xanax or Valium when desired.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Did you know that only 1% of the dentists in the country are qualified to administer oral conscious sedation dentistry? Our team at St. Louis County Dental has completed extensive specialized training in relaxation dentistry, so that we can bring you the comfortable, safe, and effective care that you deserve.

This type of sedatives are administered as small dentist-prescribed pills that the patient ingests about an hour before their appointment. Additional sedatives are administered during the appointment to keep you comfortable and in a twilight state until treatment is complete.

Oral conscious sedation causes many patients to feel extremely calm and groggy. Conscious sedation patients will often be in and out of sleep, but never completely unconscious so that we can get the patient’s participation when needed (like checking the bite for example). Our sedation dentist continually monitors the patient’s heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure. Because oral conscious sedation has amnesic properties, many patients do not remember the treatment process once the effects of the medication wear off. Conscious sedation has helped more than a thousand patients in our office and we find it an incredibly safe, effective and affordable way to help even the most fearful of patients.

Keep in mind that because oral sedation temporarily affects memory and motor skills, patients will require a friend or family member to drive them home after treatment.

Intravenous (IV) Sedation

IV sedation is delivered directly to the patient’s bloodstream through an intravenous line. This is the deepest form of sedation available at St. Louis County Dental.

Patients who use IV sedation generally fall asleep and have little to no memory of the treatment process once they wake up. Patients using IV sedation will require a friend or family member to drive them home after treatment.