Category Archives: Sedation Dentistry

Can I Have Dental Sedation If I’m on Medication for PTSD?

I’ve served in the military for 12 years. I loved my service and the military dentists did the best job they could, but they’re designed to do patch jobs and get us back into service as quickly as possible. A lot needs to be fixed with my mouth, functionally and cosmetically. Unfortunately, I’m being treated for PTSD. If there are people over me, I lash out. I’m going to need sedation dentistry, but don’t know if I can with the PTSD meds I’m on. Any advice?

Allen H.

Allen,

Up front, I want to thank you for your service. You’re keeping our family’s safe. I am beyond grateful. Our country owes you a debt. Don’t think for one second you’re not appreciated. Secondly, the fact that you’re getting treatment for PTSD shows you’re not just brave, but intelligent and wise.

Sedation dentistry will be a great option for you in this situation and can be used with many medications. I recommend getting with the dentist ahead of time and discussing your medications. That way he or she can plan to use medications which have no contraindications with the medications you’re on.

Make sure you tell the dentist that you’re interested in cosmetic work, too. This will enable them to make the best decisions and give you all the options. There are some treatments which if you plan on doing teeth whitening at any point, you’ll want to have it done first. Things like porcelain crowns and fillings cannot be whitened after they’re bonded.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Matt Roper.

Can You Die From Dental Sedation?

I keep reading these stories about patients who’ve died during sedation. It’s starting to freak me out. I’m  scheduled to get my wisdom teeth extracted and planned on using sedation to make this go easier. I’m an anxious patient even when I just go in for cleanings. Now, I’m a wreck and not sure what to do. Can I die from this?

Laura M. – Alabama

Laura,

Let me put your mind at ease. While there are risks with any procedure, it is extraordinarily rare for patients to die from dental sedation. And, most of the time when they do, it’s usually those patients who were put under anesthesia.

It’s more likely the type of sedation you’ll get is oral conscious sedation. This doesn’t lower your respiratory functions the way anesthesia does. You’ll be conscious, but completely relaxed. This allows the numbing medication to do its job giving you a pain-free experience.

If you’re an anxious patient, it will be important you get the medication. Dental anxiety tends to increase your metabolism causing you to burn through the numbing medication.

Talk to your dentist about your concerns. Ask about what type of monitoring they do. You can ask them to have oxygen on hand and monitor your heart, though many sedation dentists do this as a matter of course.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Matt Roper.

I Got Sick at My Sedation Dentist

I am kind of embarrassed. I think I ruined my dental appointment. I’ve been avoiding the dentist, so he called me to ask what the problem was. I told him I’ve been having some anxiety issues. He suggested sedation dentistry. I agreed and felt pretty comfortable. My appointment was scheduled for two. He told me not to eat. I thought I’d be fine, but around 10 I got super hungry.  I just had a candy bar and was sure it would be out of my tummy by my appointment. But, when I got the sedation, I vomited. I was too embarrassed to tell my dentist I ate. He rescheduled.  Do you think it was the eating or something else?

Loriee E. – Denver

Loriee,

It was likely the sedation that’s a problem. The medicine makes you a little woozy. When you add food to that, you’re just asking to vomit.  Many dentists won’t treat you if they know you’ve eaten because they worry about aspiration.

You’ll like sedation once it’s done with an empty stomach. It will completely change how you feel about dentistry.

If you have a high metabolism and it’s hard for you to go a long time without eating, you may tell them it’s important to schedule you in the morning.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Matt Roper.

Will Sedation Let Me Get ALL My Dental Work Done?

I hate dentists. Hate them.  I’ve not gone in a while and as a result I need a lot of work.  Here’s the breakdown:

1 tooth pulled, 3 Dental Crowns. 1 Root Canal

Is it possible to get this all done at once?

Drew – Minnesota

Drew,

It sounds like you’ve had some really bad experiences at the dentists. I assuming you know about sedation dentistry and that is why you’re asking if it can get done in one visit.

Depending on the dentist and how much work he’s willing to do at once, it’s possible to get at least most of it done in one sitting. It may take two. Either way, you won’t feel a thing.

Sedation is designed to give you a completely pain free dental experience. You may not even remember the procedures.  You may even find a way to, if not enjoy, at least no longer hate going to the dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Matt Roper.

I Need to Find a Dentist Who Is Nice to Anxious Patients

I used to have a great dentist. He was so patient and kind. He knew I am a little anxious about dental work and would slow down when I needed him to and always explained what he was doing.  Well,…he retired. The young fella’ that took over his practice isn’t nearly as patient. In fact, he gets short with me sometimes. He’s made me dread coming.  Is there a way to finding a kind dentist without having to go to a bunch of duds first?

Elizabeth – Denver

Elizabeth.

We’ve always heard that we have to kiss a few frogs before we find our prince. Fortunately, in the dental world, there are some “code words” that can help you narrow down which frogs to try.

Dentists who value and understand anxious patients generally put something on their website to help patients recognize they’ll feel safe in their office.

When you do a web search, use key words such as “Sedation Dentist” “Sedation Dentistry”, “Gentle Dentist”, and “Cater to Cowards Dentist”.

Any one of these dentists are willing to work with anxious patients.  It doesn’t mean all of them will be a great fit for you personally, but you’ll have a much better chance with them.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Matt Roper.

Is sedation dentistry like having surgery?

I have severe anxiety issues. Is sedation dentistry like having surgery where you’re out?

Drew A. – Missouri

Drew,

It really depends on the dentist. They all have different sedation procedures they prefer to do. Some dentists do an IV Sedation where you are pretty much out during the procedure.

Most do something called oral conscious sedation. Though it doesn’t knock you out, many patients prefer it.  You still have control. If you want to say something, you can, but the appointment is completely pain free.

Most patients find that they don’t even remember the appointment. Plus, you need to be aware that you’re so relaxed you need to have someone drive you to and from the appointment.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Matt Roper.

Scared of Sedation Because of News Stories

I finally talked myself into going to the dentist by using sedation (It will be my first time in sixteen years) and now I keep seeing all these news stories about patients being sexually assaulted.  Now I’m afraid to go.

Cyndy M. – New Jersey

Cyndy,

I understand you’re frightened. These type of stories are very scary.  Though it may not mean much to you now, I will tell you that these type cases are very rare. Most dentists ( and their staff) went into the field in orderto help people. They have no interest in doing harm.

Sedation is a great way to get your dental care done, pain free, especially  if you have dental anxiety. Generally, dentists have someone else in the room with them during sedation for their own protection. That way they can’t be accused of anything.

However, one thing you can do to put your mind at ease is to bring a friend.  Talk to the dentist about your concern. They’ll likely be able to accomdate your friend to be there with you.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Why can’t I get numb?

I’ve been to the dentist twice to get a procedure done, but he hasn’t been able to get me numb.  We end up abandoning the procedure.  What’s the deal?

Danny B. – New Jersey

Danny,

It’s possible that you have some form of dental anxiety, even without realizing it.  That can cause your body to burn up the anesthetic before it has a chance to really take effect.

Sometimes using something as simple as nitrous oxide will relax you enough for the numbing medicine to take effect.  If that doesn’t work, you’ll need a stronger type of dental sedation.

I would go to a sedation dentist and let them know what is going on. You will likely have your first completely pain free dental appointment, which should really help with that anxiety.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Dental procedure for alzheimer patient

My mother has alzheimers. She can be quite difficult at times.  Today she was screaming about her mouth hurting. When I finally got her asleep, I peeked inside her mouth.  There is a huge cavity and what looks like an abscess based on what I infer from the articles I looked up online. I know she needs to see a dentist, but I have no idea how to actually get her to let the dentist treat her.  Are there dentists who specialize in alzheimer patients?

Amy S. – Boston

Amy,

There isn’t a specialization for alzheimer patients, but many dentist have treated them.  If I were in your position, I would go to a dentist who does sedation dentistry.  That can make the appointment trouble free for you, your mother, and the dentist.

There are different levels of sedation. Not all dentists who use sedation use all the types, so you’ll have to call around.  My suggestion would be to find someone who uses oral conscious sedation.  It’s a lot stronger than nitrous oxide.

You’ll give her a pill before her appointment and she’ll be completely relaxed. I mean completely relaxed.  Even people without alzheimers often don’t even remember the procedure.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Special needs child needs a dentist

I have a son who is special needs-severely special needs.  He will let me touch him and no one else.  Even with me it’s not a guarantee that he’s not going to fly into a panic and disappear into his private world.  I try to help him clean his teeth as best I can, but you can imagine that isn’t easy.  Now I’ve noticed what I think is a cavity starting on one of his teeth. I don’t know what to do and  I don’t think he’ll respond well to a dentist.  I’m desperate. Any advice?

Melissa B. – Conway, AR

Melissa,

You’re in an incredibly difficult situation.  I’m sure you feel stressed all the time, not to mention the pain when you can’t hold your son.  I want to take one worry off your shoulders. There is a way you can get your son the treatment he needs.

I would get a pediatric dentist who is also a sedation dentist. Your son can be given a pill to take before his appointment that will make him oblivious to what is going on around him.  It will completely relax him and they your dentist will be able to do whatever procedure is necessary.

There are other types of sedation too, such as I.V., but a needle might be harder for your son that a pill.  I would schedule an apppointment with the dentist and give him a full picture of what your son is like. Pediatric dentists are generally good with these kinds of situations.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.