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Jul
Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry
The primary mission of Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio is to resolve pain, swelling, and other symptoms associated with teeth that are damaged due to decay or other causes. Our endodontists, Drs. Rick Davis and Rick Schwartz will ensure that the process of restoring and preserving your teeth is pain-free and relaxing. We treat many anxious patients and to manage their anxiety we offer a range of sedation dentistry options.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Dental sedation utilizes medications to help anxious patients relax when undergoing services or procedures at the dentist’s office. Sedative drugs are used in combination with local anesthetic.
What Types of Dental Sedation Do You Offer?
We have the advanced training to administer a range of sedative methods safely. These options include nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation.
What is Nitrous Oxide?
Known commonly as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is delivered via a small mask over your nose and induces a general feeling of relaxation and well-being. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas which is reversed at the end of the procedure by breathing oxygen. Since nitrous oxide is not associated with lingering drowsiness after treatment, patients do not need to arrange for transportation to and from our office. It is a safe, mild form of sedation we use most often with children.
What is Oral Sedation?
Patients take a pill (Halcion) about 60 minutes before their appointment. At the time of the appointment we sometimes have patients take a second pill, depending on how sleepy they feel. Halcion is a sleeping pill that also contains an anti-anxiety component. Most patients doze through the appointment and don’t remember much afterwards. You will need someone to drive you to and from the appointment, as the effects of Halcion make it unsafe to drive, and plan on taking a nap when you get home. We will go over everything in more detail at your evaluation appointment.
Call Our Office for More Information
New Patients: (210) 405-0473 | Existing Patients: (210) 497-6699
What is Involved with IV Sedation?
Sedative medications are delivered through a vein in your arm. Whereas oral sedation makes you doze, IV sedation puts you to sleep there is no memory of treatment afterward. This is the most profound form of sedation available at our office. For utmost safety, one doctor administers the sedative and monitors the patient while another performs the dental procedures. As with oral sedation, you will need a driver and plan to go home and take a nap.
Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
With the sedation options available at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio,even patients with high anxiety can be treated safely and comfortably. In addition to anxious patients, we also use sedation sometimes for patients with bad gag reflexes, and those undergoing lengthy or complicated procedures. Patients travel from across south-central Texas and other parts of the state and country to benefit from our array of therapeutic options and advanced technical skills. Call (210) 405-0473 to schedule your consultation today.
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
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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.
