Virginia beach Cosmetic and Neuromuscular Dentistry Blog - Dr. Michael Folck

Friday, April 29, 2016

Sedation Dentistry Options to Keep You Awake



When you hear the phrase “sedation dentistry,” you may be thinking of the sort of procedure that knocks you out completely. You might think of serious medical procedures that have major risks and drastic recovery times. In reality, however, is that most forms of sedation dentistry allow you to remain awake during the procedure while significantly relaxing you. Dr. Michael Folck is trained to offer several sedation options at his Norfolk dental practice.

Sedation dentistry can be a much-longed for solution to getting your teeth taken care of if you have dental anxiety or a fear of dental work. There are three primary types of sedation dentistry, each of which can allow you to maintain consciousness while the dentist carries out the procedure.
The main categories of sedation dentistry are:


  • Inhaled minimum sedation: When given nitrous oxide (laughing gas), you remain awake during your procedure, but you will be relaxed.
  • Oral moderate sedation: This is the type most often associated with sedation dentistry and consists of taking a prescribed medication that relaxes you to where you may not remember the procedure, you words may be slurred, and you may fall asleep but you can easily be awakened.
  • IV moderate sedation: Similar in effect to oral sedation, IV sedation administers the sedative directly to your bloodstream via an IV so the dentist can more effectively adjust your level of sedation as the procedure takes place.


You may still be nervous about dental work, but not so nervous that you want to take sedatives or other medication. In this case, you can relax using other methods, like listening to music that soothes you or watching a television program while Dr. Folck works on your teeth. Support structures can help you overcome your fear, so consider having a friend go with you, or engaging in breathing exercises during the procedure. 

Contact Norfolk dental professional Dr. Michael Folck for a sedation dentistry consultation by phone at (877) 206-3444 or by filling out the form at the top of this page. We serve patients in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and the surrounding communities.

posted by TammyS at 6:05 PM

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