Many people feel anxious before and during dental procedures. It's okay to feel nervous or even fearful when anticipating an appointment. We understand that our patients aren't all the same, and we have great news: you have options! You can experience dental treatment in a comfortable, customized approach with several different methods of sedation. The most common forms of sedation used in dentistry are inhalation, oral, and intravenous sedation. While making dentistry much easier for you, it is important to understand that they are not pain-killers, and regular numbing medications still prove essential. But sedation will make every part of your treatment more enjoyable if you're anxious. Oral Sedation - Oral sedation is an excellent option for patients who suffer from dental anxiety. It is simply taken in pill or liquid form and ingested at a set time before treatment. The drug produces a calming effect to make the visit to our office a much less stressful experience. Oral sedation is simple, safe and has very few side effects. IV Sedation - IV sedation, also known as intravenous sedation, is a form of conscious sedation administered through a small IV line in your arm. This method allows for deep relaxation while you remain responsive to verbal cues. Unlike general anesthesia, IV sedation keeps you in a semi-conscious state, meaning you can still breathe on your own without the need for a ventilator. This type of sedation is ideal for patients with dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or those undergoing lengthy procedures. Concerns? Questions? We are happy to provide you with the options that may work best for you! We want you to feel safe and confident through every step of your dental care. Call our office today!
• Reduced Anxiety and Discomfort: Patients feel relaxed and often have little memory of the procedure, making their dental experience more pleasant. • Efficiency in Treatment: Allows for multiple or complex procedures to be performed in fewer visits, saving time and reducing stress for the patient. • Enhanced Patient Cooperation: Sedation helps patients remain still, aiding in the precision and speed of the treatment. • Safe and monitored sedation options: Administered by trained professionals like Laura Galiazzo, DMD, sedation is safe and monitored throughout the procedure.
Yes, sedation dentistry is safe when performed by a trained and experienced dental professional. We carefully monitor you throughout the procedure to ensure your safety and comfort.
At Advanced Brookline Dental, we offer a range of sedation options, including nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation (pills), and IV sedation. The right choice for you will depend on your level of anxiety and the procedure being performed.
It depends on the type of sedation used. With nitrous oxide or oral sedation, you’ll likely be awake but deeply relaxed. With IV sedation, you may be in a light sleep, but you’ll still be able to respond to instructions.
The duration of sedation varies depending on the type. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly after the mask is removed, while oral and IV sedation may take a few hours to fully wear off.
"So kind and considerate! I often get nervous about dental care but the team here is wonderful and I always leave feeling better about my oral health! "
Sedation dentistry is an excellent solution for a wide variety of patients in the Brookline, Newton, and Greater Boston area. You may be a perfect candidate if you experience moderate to severe dental anxiety, have a strong gag reflex, or have difficulty getting numb with traditional local anesthetics. It is also highly recommended for patients who need to undergo extensive dental work or multiple procedures in a single visit, such as a full smile makeover or complex restorative treatments. At Advanced Brookline Dental, Dr. Laura Galiazzo provides a compassionate, judgment-free environment. We review your medical history and current health to ensure that whether you choose oral sedation or IV sedation, the method selected is safe and effective for your specific needs.
The primary differences between oral and IV sedation lie in how they are administered and the level of relaxation they provide. Oral sedation involves taking a prescribed pill or liquid shortly before your appointment. It produces a calming effect that significantly lowers anxiety, though the level of sedation is generally mild to moderate. IV Sedation (intravenous sedation), administered through a small line in the arm, allows for a deeper state of relaxation. One of the main benefits of IV sedation is that Dr. Galiazzo can adjust the level of medication in real-time to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the procedure. While oral sedation is great for mild fear, IV sedation is often preferred for longer procedures or patients with higher anxiety or strong gag reflexes.
For most forms of sedation dentistry, specifically oral sedation and IV sedation, you will not be able to drive yourself home. These medications can impair your reflexes and cause drowsiness that lasts for several hours after the procedure is complete. To ensure your safety, Advanced Brookline Dental requires that you arrange for a responsible adult friend or family member to drive you to our Brookline office and drive you home afterward. We recommend planning to rest for the remainder of the day. If you are only receiving Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas), the effects wear off almost immediately, and you may be able to drive yourself, but it is essential to discuss your specific sedation plan with Dr. Galiazzo beforehand.
One of the greatest benefits of sedation dentistry is that it dramatically alters your perception of time and pain. While sedation is not a painkiller itself—we still use local anesthetic to numb the area—the sedation puts you in a state of deep relaxation where you likely won't care about or even notice the numbing process. Furthermore, most patients experience an amnesic effect, particularly with IV sedation and certain oral sedatives. This means that even if your appointment lasts for an hour or two, it may feel like only minutes have passed, and you will likely have very little to no memory of the treatment afterward. This makes it an ideal option for patients in the Cambridge and Boston area who want to improve their oral health without the stress of remembering the details of the procedure.
Coverage for sedation dentistry varies significantly depending on your specific dental insurance provider and plan. Some carriers may cover it for specific complex surgical procedures, while others may classify it as an elective service. At Advanced Brookline Dental, we believe financial concerns shouldn't stop you from receiving comfortable, anxiety-free care. If you do not have insurance, or if your plan does not cover sedation, we offer in-house membership plans and affordable financing options to help manage the cost. We are a family-oriented practice dedicated to serving the Brookline community, and our team is happy to review your benefits and provide a clear, upfront estimate before any treatment begins.
