Sedation Dentistry

The team at Commonwealth Dental Group is committed to providing you with a safe and comfortable dental experience each time you visit our practice. Going to the dentist can be stressful and results in patients delaying necessary procedures. Sedation dentistry allows patients to have a comfortable and safe dental experience free of the anxiety that can be associated with the environment of the dental office.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

In sedation dentistry, our MD anesthesiologist works alongside your dentist to administer the appropriate type of anesthesia to fit your needs while the dentist performs the procedure. The patients feel calmer which allows the dentist to work efficiently, often resulting in fewer trips to the office.

What are the types of anesthesia you provide?

Intravenous Sedation: It is most appropriate for adult patients with anxiety and dental phobia (fear of the dentist) or cooperative children (usually more than 10 years of age). There are different levels of sedation that can be administered, from minimal to deep, depending on the patient and the procedure. In this type of anesthesia, there is no placement of a breathing tube.

General Anesthesia: It ensures complete lack of consciousness. After the induction of anesthesia with a mask (younger children) or with IV medications (older children or adults), a breathing tube is usually placed. The tube is removed at the end of the procedure.

In all types of anesthesia, Dr Sakellariou will be next to the patient at all times to ensure comfort and lack of pain. He will also monitor the heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and other vital signs to make sure they are stable.

What to expect?

Your dentist and our front desk staff will work together to help you schedule your sedation dentistry appointment. You will have the chance to talk with Dr. Sakellariou prior to your appointment. He will go over your medical history, answer your questions and provide pre-operative instructions.
The staff at Commonwealth Dental Group are here and eager to answer your questions and guide you through your treatment.

How does a patient prepare for anesthesia?

It is very important for the safety of the patients that they fast from food and drinks for 8 hours prior to the procedure. They can have clear drinks such as water, black coffee, tea without milk or sugar up to 2 hours before the procedure. No smoothies or juices with pulp are allowed.

The patients should wear light clothes (like a T-shirt and joggers) so the placement of monitors (blood pressure cuff for example) is easy.

To learn more about anesthesia, we invite you to visit the website of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, found here: https://www.asahq.org/madeforthismoment/anesthesia-101/