Conscious sedation. In our dental practice we prefer to use conscious sedation. It is not used for all treatments, but it is very helpful during long and extensive procedures, surgeries, etc. Sedation makes some procedures easier to tolerate and it can successfully eliminate anxiety or fear of dental treatment. We use oral pharmaceuticals for conscious sedation to help a patient relax, although you can still speak, respond to verbal commands or physical stimulation and breathe on your own without help. This way of sedation is very effective as it helps both the patient and the doctor to perform the procedure successfully, as it is important for us to be able to get feedback from the patient during the treatment to constantly monitor his or her condition. All body functions remain normal, but you feel relaxed and sleepy. We use local anaesthetics to numb you before Dr. Gotun begins treatment. All treatment nowadays is pain-free and causes minimal discomfort if any alt all.

Inhalant sedation – using “laughing gas or nitrous oxide” – has much the same effect as oral medication. However, we use it only under special circumstances. It can’t be used with patients who have asthma, emphysema or other respiratory problems, for example, or with anyone who suffers from claustrophobia. There is also evidence that young women exposed to certain levels of nitrous oxide run an increased risk of having babies with birth defects, so we choose not to expose employees or patients to this possibility unless it’s absolutely necessary. However, as in all situations with our patients, each case is unique, and if this is the sedation most suited to your needs, we have the option of offering nitrous oxide to you.