Monday
From 9:00am – 6:00pm
OVERCOMING DENTAL FEARS
Over ninety million people in the U.S. don’t see a dentist because of fear. Dental fear is a hidden phobia — the monster in the closet that no one wants to talk about. Many people are embarrassed to admit their fears and many more are afraid to confront them. There is a simple solution. Conscious sedation offered at Timothy A. Hess DDS allows patients to address all of their dental problems in a relaxing anxiety-free environment.
Conscious sedation makes it easy to get a tremendous amount of dentistry done in one visit. Hours seem like minutes and there is less post-operative pain. The medications that are used have amnestic properties as well, which means that many patients remember little or nothing about their dental treatment.
The sedation process is actually very simple, predictable, and safe! After a careful review of your medical history we will choose the appropriate method and medications to allow for your comfortable treatment. If needed, a companion should escort you on the day of your appointment. Sedation will be applied before procedures are performed. Once your visit is complete the sedation should begin to wear off quickly. However, if the doctor requested you bring a companion, they will take you home and stay with you until you’re fully recovered. Whether you require a single filling or are looking to have your entire smile restored, our sedations options can help you achieve optimum dental health in the most comfortable way possible.
Office Hours
* Open every other Thursday
TYPES OF SEDATION.
LOCAL ANESTHESIA
This is a solution that numbs a small area of your mouth so your dental procedure is free of pain. Most people think of a painful shot when they think ‘local anesthetic.’ However, a topical numbing gel can be applied with a cotton squab to numb the area where the shot of heavier anesthetic will be placed. This pleasant-tasting numbing agent helps take away the agony of the shot.
NITROUS OXIDE
This gas is more commonly known as ‘laughing gas’. It makes you feel giddy and relaxed – similar to having a few adult beverages. But there’s no hangover and no recovery time. Within minutes of removing the gas, you’re able to get up and drive home.
ORAL SEDATION
This method is as simple as swallowing a pill. It doesn’t actually put you to sleep, but is a lighter sedation that can make your dental appointment much more comfortable. The medication is also known to cause amnesia, so you may not even remember having your treatment done!
INTRAVENOUS SEDATION
Intravenous sedation or, ‘I.V. Sedation’, is a type of sedation similar to oral sedation, but often has much more profound effects while you still maintain a state of consciousness. Your response to this sedation can often be much more predictable because the doctor can ‘fine tune’ the medications, which have a nearly immediate effect. Similar to that of oral sedation, the patient often doesn’t remember what occurs during the procedure due to the medication’s ability to cause amnesia. We recommend this type of sedation for those with extreme dental anxiety or those who are undergoing more extensive dental procedures.
Dr. Parque is a new addition to our team and offers this form of sedation. Dr. Parque received his sedation training by participating in an elective residency following dental school at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, WA. He maintains his I.V. sedation permit by participating in extensive continuing education courses and maintains his ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification.
GENERAL ANESTHESIA
There are instances where patients are unable to have dental treatment using conscious sedation. In these cases, general anesthesia may be the only option. General anesthesia is a much more extensive process, but may be necessary if a patient has extreme dental phobia, or if they wish to complete a large amount of dental treatment in a single visit.
The sedation process can be very simple, predictable, and safe! After a careful review of your medical history we will choose the appropriate method and medications to allow for your comfortable treatment. If needed, a companion should escort you on the day of your appointment. Sedation will be applied before procedures are performed and once your visit is complete the sedation should begin to wear off quickly. Your companion will take you home and stay with you until you’re fully recovered. Whether you require a single filling or are looking to have your entire smile restored, our sedations options can help you achieve optimum dental health in the most comfortable way possible.