Sedation dentistry is a safe and effective alternative for patients who are anxious or afraid, patients with a bad gag reflex or limited jaw opening, patients who have a hard time getting totally numb, need surgical treatment or extensive restorative treatment. Young children are wonderful candidates for sedation dentistry. Often they are too young tolerate needed treatment and it is critical that their dental experience be a positive one. With sedation, it is much easier to deliver a quality care than it may be when they are awake and possibly uncooperative. It is a safe and economical alternative to hospital or surgical center based sedation. Our wonderful staff will calm your fears and answer any questions that you may have.

Sedation Questions

Is sedation dentistry right for you? Many patients fear going to the dentist, have difficulty getting numb, have joint problems (TMJ), a bad gag reflex etc.. and could enjoy the advantages sedation dentistry offers. Young children who are fearful or need extensive treatment, patients needing surgical treatment such as wisdom tooth removal or dental implants or anyone undergoing extensive or lengthy procedures would also appreciate being sedated for such treatment. Sedation is a safe and effective alternative for both children and adults and a wonderful treatment option for many. Below are some commonly asked questions about sedation dentistry. Please call and we would love to answer any other questions that you may have so that you can determine if sedation dentistry is right for you.

Are there different kinds of sedation? Yes. Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) offers a low level of sedation and works great for some patients on minor procedures. Different oral medications such as valium or triazolam offer deeper levels of sedation with the benefit of some amnesia (little or no recollection of the procedure). I.V. sedation allows for a more predictable, controllable, and deeper level of sedation with a very good safety record and an improved amnesic effect. Deep Sedation, often performed in a hospital or surgical center can be done in our office with the aid of an on call anesthesiologist.

Will I sleep through the whole procedure? Because of its effectiveness and predictability, we most often recommend I.V. sedation. This method allows us to carefully monitor your level of consciousness and adjust it according to need. You will be well sedated throughout the procedure while maintaining your protective reflexes. Typically, when your treatment is completed you will ask a questions like, “Have we started?”, or “Are we ready to begin?”. There will be little or no recollection of the procedure(s) accomplished or how long it took.

Does insurance cover sedation? Insurance benefits vary greatly from company to company and from contract to contract. We can help you find out what benefits may be available. Please feel free to give us a call for a complimentary benefit analysis at 801-766-3600.

I have a lot of work to do. Can it all be done in one visit or does it require multiple visits?Our practice has a strong emphasis on single appointment dentistry. We have the ability to do a root canal and crown all in one single visit. We often combine wisdom teeth removal with needed restorative work, extraction(s) with dentures and/or dental implants etc., and have the ability to do complex restorative care in a single visit. There are times when it is advantageous to have a laboratory fabricate the crowns necessitating a return visit to have them cemented.

Can I accompany my child during his/her sedation treatment? We encourage parents to accompany their child as we are getting started. We typically have them breath “happy gas” (nitrous oxide) and watch a children’s movie for a few minutes to help calm and relax them. The I.V. is then placed (usually with little or no discomfort) and as the child becomes sedated we ask the parent(s) to exit and wait in the waiting room until their needed work is completed. We like to have the parent(s) present when the child wakes up to comfort and reassure them. This usually goes very smoothly and helps to avoid traumatic dental experiences which may adversely affect a patient for years. As an added benefit, when they are sedated we have the ability to deliver a higher quality of care than is at times possible with a patient who may be uncooperative or unhappy. In office sedation typically is less costly than hospital or surgical center based sedation.

What special training, licensing or credentials do the doctors have with sedation?

• Dr. Bret Tobler received his sedation training at the V.A. Hospital in Salt Lake City, is certified in advanced cardiac life support, has attended courses with the Dental Organization for Conscious sedation and is a member of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. Dr. Bret also has a special license that allows him to do sedation cases in Utah.
• Dr. Eric Tobler received his sedation training at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA, has attended courses with the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation and is a member of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. Dr. Eric also has a special license that allows him to do sedation cases in Utah.

At Stonehaven Dental we have the experience of thousands of sedation cases on patients of all ages and circumstances. The length of sedation has varied from 20 minutes to 10 hours with the typical case lasting 1-2 hours depending on need. In some special cases that deeper sedation may become necessary we have an anesthesiologist on call that can come into the office.