Many people are fearful or apprehensive about dental visits. If you are a patient who is anxious or has had bad experiences in the past, we offer sedation at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio to relieve anxiety and make the procedures restful and comfortable. We provide several levels of sedation, including nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”), oral sedation, and intravenous (IV) sedation.
If you are anxious about dental treatment, give us a call to schedule an evaluation.
Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
It is estimated that up to three of every 10 Americans have some form of dental fear. The level of fear can vary from person to person, ranging from anxiety to severe dental phobia. Dental phobia can stand in the way of patients getting the care they need. Sedation presents a pleasant, fear-free, and stress-free approach to dental care.
What is Involved with Dental Sedation?
Here are the three types of dental sedation that we offer:
- Nitrous oxide gas is delivered through a nasal mask. It provides relaxation and a general feeling of “well-being.” Oxygen is administered afterward to clear the gas from your system, and you can safely drive home.
- Oral sedation is a pill (Halcion) taken approximately one hour before treatment. It provides a deeper level of sedation than nitrous oxide. We evaluate the effects of the first pill, and depending on how you feel; we may provide a second pill. Halcion is a sleeping pill with anti-anxiety effects. Patients typically “snooze” through treatment. Halcion also has an amnesiac effect for many patients, and they have no memory of the appointment. If you are to receive oral sedation, you will need to arrange for a driver for the day of treatment.
- With intravenous (I.V.) sedation, the medication is delivered into a vein in your arm. It is the deepest form of sedation we offer. You will sleep through the appointment and have no memory of the procedure. One of our doctors administers and monitors the sedation while the other completes the dental procedure. For IV sedation, you will also need a driver.
If you receive oral or IV sedation, we will use special equipment to monitor your blood pressure and oxygen levels while you sleep. A local anesthetic is also administered to complement sedative medications.
What Can I Expect After Treatment with Sedation?
As noted, the effects of nitrous oxide are reversed quickly. With oral or IV sedation, there will be lingering drowsiness after the procedure, hence the need for a driver—plan on going home and taking a nap.
Many of our patients have benefited from sedation dentistry. Ask us about your options for sedation during an appointment at our office. Call Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio at (210) 405-0473.
Dr. Richard Davis, DDS
Richard D. Davis, DDS, graduated from high school in Japan, attended the
University of Washington dental school, and joined the Air Force as a general dentist in 1978. He completed the Air Force one-year AEGD residency, a two-year Advanced General Dentistry Residency, and a fellowship in biomaterials at the
University of Indiana. Dr. Davis was a clinical instructor, research director, and lecturer at the Air Force. He has published many scientific articles and research papers, and has lectured on many topics. Following retirement from the Air Force in 1999, he completed the graduate program in endodontics at the
University of Oregon in 2001, and joined Dr. Schwartz and has been in private practice in endodontics since then.
Dr. Richard Schwartz, DDS
Connect on LinkedIn
Richard S. Schwartz, DDS, graduated from the
University of Minnesota dental school in 1977. He was a restorative dentist for 19 years: Early in his career, he attended a two-year general dentistry residency while in the US Air Force, and then did a combination of private practice, teaching, and dental materials research before entering endodontic post-graduate training in 1996. He has authored over 100 articles and abstracts in scientific journals and lectured extensively in the US and in 21 other countries, including 12 times at the American Association of Endodontists’ national meeting. Since 1998 Dr. Schwartz has been in full-time private practice in endodontics in San Antonio, TX, and has practiced with Dr. Davis since 2001. He was a founding member and first secretary/treasurer of the
International Association of Endodontics. He is also a member of the
American Dental Association and
International Association of Dental Specialists.
Dr. Zhangrui Liang, DDS, MS
Dr. Zhangrui “Zac” Liang, DDS, MS, grew up in China and has been in the US since 2015. He attended dental school in China and did his endodontic training at
UCLA, where he also received a Masters of Science degree. He has practiced with Dr. Davis and Dr. Schwartz since 2022.
Share this Article