Keith Giffin, DDS

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Using Sedation in Dentistry | Types of Sedation Dentistry
Frequently Asked Questions about Sedation Dentistry

Have you been putting off going to the dentist? Are you embarrassed by your smile? Have you been experiencing dental pain for a while but have been to busy or fearful to do anything about it? Now you can put your mind at ease! With new sedation techniques by Dr. Keith M. Giffin, you can have years of dental treatment completed quickly and safely without the discomfort.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is also called relaxation dentistry. You won’t actually be asleep, but when we provide you with sedation, you will feel very sleepy, comfortable, and very little to no pain while we provide you with the treatment you need. Sedation is effective and extremely safe. Our team is specially trained to offer you sedation and closely monitors your progress during your dental treatment.

Using Sedation in Dentistry

The Sedation Dental Care Standard

The standard of treating patients using sedation was set up by physicians in the U.S. approximately 40 years ago. It is nothing new for patients to be sedated for operations on their knees, feet, wrist, ears, and their nose, or practically anything else. A lady told me the other day, “I had to go in for am MRI (a type of x-ray). I was nervous so my doctor sedated me.” Often patients ask dentists for sedation and the dentists do everything they can to talk them out of it. Most dentists do not want to go through the additional training and accreditation process that is necessary to sedate patients.

You wouldn’t think of having an ear operation or nose operation without sedation. But, you move one inch to the teeth and it becomes acceptable to endure time-consuming, strenuous, noisy, and uncomfortable procedures on the most sensitive, personal part of the body (the mouth) with no sedation. Dentists attempt to work outside of the already established standard of using sedation. As a result, we as dentist treat only 50% of the population while physicians treat over 90%.

I have found the fearful patients psychologically have no problem being sedated for dental treatment. You ask a nervous patient, “Would you rather have this work done in six appointments over the next two months or in one appointment while you sleep?”, they look at you like you’re crazy. “Put me to sleep,” is their reply.

Sedation for certain types of dental care has been used for over thirty years. If you asked one hundred patients who have had their wisdom teeth removed how they had it done, most would say they were put to sleep by an oral surgeon to have them removed. The problem is that dentists assume that root canals and drilling on teeth are not comfortable enough to warrant sedation. This is why 50% of the population does not go the dentist. The patient is the one who should determine what is uncomfortable for them, not the dentist.

If you feel that sedation, which is the standard of care for the rest of the body, is necessary for your dental care, call us at 601-825-3368.

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Types of Sedation Dentistry

Oral Conscious Sedation

With oral conscious sedation you will take one or more pills by mouth. You remain conscious and able to respond to simple requests made by the dentist. Oral conscious sedation medications are more effective than laughing gas alone. Sedation allows your fear and anxiety to disappear and leaves you with little memory of your visit.

IV Conscious Sedation

IV conscious sedation uses the same class of sedative medications as the Oral Conscious Sedation, but the medications are administered intravenously. This allows a faster response time for the medications and provides ability to better modify the level and length of sedation. As with oral sedation, IV sedation leaves you conscious and able to respond, but sedated so that you have little or no memory of your dental visit and none of the anxiety normally associated with that visit. Sedated patients often describe feeling like they “slept: through the appointment. IV conscious sedation is more effective than laughing gas alone and makes the visit easier for both you and your doctor. Doctor Giffin is specially trained and licensed to perform IV Conscious Sedation and Oral Sedation.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Sedation Dentistry

How does the sedation medication work?

Sedation medications reduce your brain’s ability to feel anxiety or nervousness. At the same time, these medications have no significant effects on your heart or your ability to breathe. For these reasons, these medications have proven to be effective and safe.

Will I be unconscious or completely asleep while I am sedated?

You will remain conscious and able to respond to simple commands while you are sedated and relaxed. Complete unconsciousness requires a level of sedation called general anesthesia which is best performed in a hospital setting. Our goal is to sedate you comfortably and safely so that you have little or no memory of your visit.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

Sedation dentistry is safe and effective when administered by a trained professional. We carefully monitor all sedated patients with computerized monitoring equipment specifically designed for this purpose. We are constantly aware of your needs as we monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and other signs of comfort. Your dentist has received extensive training in conscious sedation. In fact, your dentist completed a mini residency in conscious sedation at The Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Giffin’s office has received a conscious sedation permit from the Board of Dental Examiners for the state of Mississippi. Dr. Giffin has also trained with the Doctors of Oral Sedation (DOCS) where he is currently a member.

Can you do multiple procedures while I am sedated?

In one word: yes! Conscious sedation often makes your dental visit easier both for you and the dentist. While sedated, we can correct dental problems that might have been present for many years. This includes crowns, fillings, root canals, removal of wisdom teeth, treatment for gum disease and cosmetic dental procedures. Your appointment can be as short as an hour or two or can extend to several hours-whatever is necessary to meet your individual treatment plan. Some patients have found it to be easier and more convenient to accomplish multiple dental procedures during one dental visit using conscious sedation.

Is it okay to drink alcohol or take other drugs prior to my appointment?

No! Alcohol, prescription drugs, and illegal drugs can cause serious problems when combined with the sedative medications we use. You must inform us of any medicines or drugs that you are taking, whether prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal, so that we can safely plan your sedation.

Do medical problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. affect my ability to be sedated for my dental care?

Such conditions are examined on a patient-by-patient basis. In most cases, we can complete your dental care utilizing the benefits of sedation. If necessary, we can contact your physician to clarify the extent and severity of any medical conditions you may have. We even have a nurse (CRNA) to help us with more complicated cases.

Will I feel sick as a result of the sedation after my appointment?

No, it is extremely unusual to experience sickness following sedation. The medications that we use to sedate you don’t generally cause nausea or vomiting. We will monitor you and can administer additional medications if needed.

What is the best time of the day to schedule my sedation appointment?

We recommend that you schedule your appointment as early in the day as possible if you going to be sedated. You must avoid all eating and drinking for 8 hours prior to your appointment (unless you have been given special instructions from us). If your appointment is scheduled early, you will spend less time awake feeling hungry and thirsty.

Will my dental insurance cover the cost of my dental care and sedation?

It depends on the provisions of your individual policy, most insurance plans provide coverage for only minimal levels of dental care. In our experience, dental insurance will provide little or no coverage for dental care involving fillings, cosmetic changes, crowns, surgery, root canals and treatment of gum disease. Many companies provide no coverage for sedation itself. Those procedures that are covered are often subject to deductibles and small annual benefits.

Seeking the advice of a dentist experienced in sedation dentistry, rather than foregoing treatment because of fear and potential pain, gives people the opportunity to undergo critical procedures that they would have otherwise avoided.

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