Sedation Dentist – Los Angeles, CA
Relax and Ease Your Anxiety While Getting the Care You Need
If you feel frightened, anxious, or outright terrified at the thought of an upcoming dental appointment, you’re not alone – in fact, studies show that nearly one in five people experience these negative emotions. At Westside Dental Associates, patients can stop dreading their visit and start looking forward to a relaxing care experience with the help of sedation dentistry. Dr. Les Latner offers several methods of sedation dentistry in Los Angeles that are effective and safe, and our team will help you determine the one that’s right for you. Contact our dental practice today to schedule your first visit!
Why Choose Westside Dental Associates for Sedation Dentistry?
- Dentist Who Regularly Completes Continuing Education Courses and Training
- Dental Insurance & Flexible Financing Available
- Compassionate & Caring Dental Team
Do You Have Dental Anxiety or Fear?
Having dental fear or anxiety can keep you from getting the treatment you need and could cause you problems down the road. Instead of feeling like you have to choose between your mental and oral health, at Westside Dental Associates, we offer different sedation dentistry techniques so you can get the treatment you need all while feeling relaxed and comfortable.
What Is Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is a mild sedative that can help children and adults feel more comfortable during their dental appointments. It is administered through a mask that fits over the patient’s nose. Within minutes of breathing it in, nitrous oxide should start to induce feelings of calmness and warmth. One of the biggest benefits of choosing this technique is that the effects wear off very quickly once the mask is removed, which means patients can immediately return to work or drive themselves home.
What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation utilizes medications that have been proven safe and effective to use to help patients relax during their dental visits. Before your appointment, you will take the prescribed dosage as determined by your sedation dentist in Los Angeles. By the time a trusted friend or family member and you arrive for your procedure, you’ll be feeling relaxed, comfortable, and conscious.
Learn More About Oral Conscious Sedation
What Is IV Sedation?
IV sedation is a more involved sedative that best fits patients with extreme dental-related fear and/or those in need of complex procedures. The medication is delivered intravenously, which allows our team to closely monitor and adjust the dosage if necessary. The patient should enter a deep state of relaxation while under IV sedation. They will remain conscious enough to respond to Dr. Latner’s commands, although it’s likely they won’t remember much about their procedure once they’ve recovered. Patients choosing IV sedation will need a trusted person to escort them home following their appointment and watch over them until the effects wear off.
What Is the Cost of Sedation Dentistry?
Depending on the procedures you need and your anxiety level, your dentist in Los Angeles will determine an appropriate level of sedation, which will impact the cost. The price is also based on the type of sedation you receive. For a specific breakdown, it’s best to visit our website to schedule a consultation.
During your appointment, you won’t have to worry because we will keep a close eye on your vitals, so you’ll remain safe as well as comfortable. We don’t want you to have to choose between your comfort and oral health anymore. Don’t hesitate to contact us today so you can get the care you need without putting yourself through added anxiety and stress.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Going to the dentist shouldn’t have to be an anxiety-filled experience. Unfortunately, for some people, the fear is so real that it prevents them from receiving necessary dental care, resulting in serious oral and overall health problems. At Westside Dental Associates, our sedation dentist in Los Angeles wants to calm your nerves and ease your mind while visiting our office. This is why we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common sedation dentistry frequently asked questions. By reviewing this list, we hope you will feel more comfortable and confident about your next dental visit. Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to call our office.
What Causes Dental Anxiety?
If you’re wondering where your anxiety is coming from, it can most likely be traced back to a negative dental experience you had as a child. From the sights and sounds to the poking and prodding, it can be an uncomfortable and scary situation for a young person, especially if the dentist was less than pleasant. However, this isn’t always the case. Dental anxiety can also be caused by a fear of needles, which are sometimes necessary, especially if administering anesthesia for a procedure. The good news is that with sedation dentistry, all of these fears can be eliminated.
What Are the Risks of Avoiding the Dentist?
If you think you can just get by without seeing the dentist, guess again. Forgoing regular dental checkups and cleanings can lead to serious oral health problems, including gum disease, tooth decay, and even oral cancer. These six-month appointments are necessary to not only give your teeth the thorough cleaning they need but also allow our dental team to check for any problems and address them before they become too severe. When calling to schedule your appointment, talk to our team about sedation options. This will ensure you are calm and comfortable throughout your visit, making it easier for you to come in the next time.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
If you need a mild sedative, Dr. Latner can administer nitrous oxide, which requires that you breathe in through a mask that fits over your nose. As you breathe in, you will begin to feel calm and even warm. You will not be asleep, but you will feel as if you’re floating. The effects of nitrous oxide quickly wear off once the mask is removed, making it possible to return to work immediately after your visit.
What If I Need Something Stronger Than Nitrous Oxide?
Dr. Latner also offers two other forms of sedation: IV sedation and oral conscious sedation. If you are preparing for a dental procedure, or your dental anxiety in Los Angeles calls for more than just nitrous oxide, we can provide you with a prescribed medication, which you will take when you arrive for your appointment. You will receive a blanket, and you will have all of your questions answered by a dental assistant who will be by your side the entire time. In addition to the medication, Dr. Latner will also administer nitrous oxide to enhance the sedation, allowing you to rest comfortably throughout the procedure.
It’s important to remember that you will not be asleep, but instead, you will remain conscious enough to answer questions and cues from our dental team. Because the effects do take some time to wear off, you will need a family member or friend to escort you to and from the dentist's office.
IV sedation is another form of sedation that is typically only used in extreme situations (i.e., serious dental fear or a complex procedure). We will administer the medication through an IV and carefully monitor and adjust the dosage as needed throughout the process. You will achieve a deep state of relaxation but remain conscious, so you can respond to Dr. Latner.
It will be unlikely that you will remember anything from your visit, and it’s critical that you have someone take you and pick you up from your appointment.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
More and more dentists are offering sedation dentistry as a result of many patients expressing deep concerns or fears when it comes to having their teeth cleaned or worked on. Sedation dentistry is safe and effective, but it is important to know that there can be side effects, depending on the patient. Some might experience a headache or nausea afterward. But, overall, you can expect to have a comfortable, relaxing experience when visiting our office.