3 Reasons Many Patients Opt for Sedation Dentistry
Sep. 15 2023
For some people, the thought of a visit to the dentist can induce immediate anxiety.
But while the fear of certain procedures deters some patients from seeking the care they need — it doesn’t have to be that way.
Sedation dentistry with Dr. Dean Glasser offers a way for patients to feel more comfortable during dental treatments. Here are a few reasons why many of our patients choose sedation dentistry.
1. Anxiety and Fear Reduction
Many patients choose sedation to help them avoid their dental anxiety altogether.
There’s no denying that dental anxiety remains fairly common, affecting individuals of all ages and preventing many of them from seeking the dental treatments they need.
By using medications to induce a relaxed state, patients can avoid much of the anxiety and fear associated with dental visits. Whether it's a routine dental check-up or a complex procedure, sedation can help patients feel more at ease, improving the entire experience.
2. Increased Comfort during Lengthy Procedures
Certain dental procedures can be time-consuming, requiring patients to remain in the dentist's chair for hours. Sedation dentistry allows patients to feel more relaxed throughout lengthy procedures like root canals, wisdom tooth extractions, or dental implant placements.
The sedative medications result in a sleepy feeling, and while patients remain conscious, they often have little or no recollection of the procedure. For many patients, that means the experience feels like just a few minutes.
3. Facilitating Dental Work for Sensitive Patients
Other patients have specific challenges that make treatment difficult without sedation. At our practice, we’ve found it particularly beneficial for those with a low pain threshold, sensitive teeth, or a strong gag reflex.
These individuals may have difficulty tolerating certain dental procedures without the aid of sedation. By providing a relaxed state, sedation allows dentists to perform the necessary dental work with minimal discomfort for the patient.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If dental anxiety is preventing you from getting the care you need, consider the benefits of sedation dentistry with Dr. Dean Glasser or Dr. Renee Glasser.
Whether it's nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation, or intravenous sedation, Dr. Glasser will work with you to determine the best method for your dental procedures.
Schedule a consultation with Dean Glasser today or call us at 631-423-6767 to make an appointment at the office in Long Island, New York.
Dr. Dean Glasser is a respected Cosmetic and General Dentist, serving Melville, NY and the greater Long Island area. A Professor at Columbia University Dental School, Dr. Glasser is recognized as a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and as a Fellow of the following organizations: the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Association of Hospital Dentistry and the Misch Implant Institute.
How Can I Have a Positive Experience at the Dental Office?
Mar. 15 2023
Patients with dental anxiety will often ask Dr. Dean Glasser and his team at Implant and General Dentistry of Long Island about ways to make their appointment a positive experience. In many situations, he may recommend the integration of sedation dentistry into your next visit to ensure you are relaxed and at ease during your time in the dentist's chair.
What Types of Sedation Are Available?
The types of dental sedation available at our office include the following:
Nitrous oxide sedation. With this type of sedation, you remain conscious throughout the procedure. Dr. Dean Glasser administers nitrous oxide gas through a mask that is placed over your nose. It works quickly, and you will experience a relaxed feeling as if you are floating or dreaming.
Oral conscious sedation. This type of sedation involves taking a pill shortly before the dental appointment so that by the time it begins, you will already be in a deeply relaxed state. You may still be awake during this process but will not feel stressed or anxious about your treatment.
Deep sedation/general anesthesia. This type of sedation renders you completely unconscious for the duration of the procedure via general anesthesia. However, general anesthesia should only be used for longer and more complex dental procedures or if you have severe dental anxiety about an upcoming appointment.
Unconscious sedation. This is the most intense type of sedation and requires you to be completely unconscious for the duration of the procedure. It is used for patients who are undergoing long or complex treatments, such as oral surgery or root canal therapy. During this time, you will be unable to respond to verbal commands and will have no memory of your treatment upon resting. If you choose this type of sedation, you will need to arrange transportation to and from your appointment.
Schedule an Appointment To Learn More About Sedation Dentistry
No matter what type of dental sedation you require, our team at Implant and General Dentistry of Long Island in Melville, NY, can help make your visit comfortable and stress-free. Our staff is highly trained in all types of sedation methods so that you can receive the best care possible with minimal discomfort or anxiety. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help. Our office can be reached by calling 631-423-6767 to request a consultation appointment with Dr. Dean Glasser to discuss your needs.
Dr. Dean Glasser is a respected Cosmetic and General Dentist, serving Melville, NY and the greater Long Island area. A Professor at Columbia University Dental School, Dr. Glasser is recognized as a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and as a Fellow of the following organizations: the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Association of Hospital Dentistry and the Misch Implant Institute.
Sedation dentistry for your next appointment with Dr. Dean Glasser
Dec. 15 2020
Dental anxiety can impact anyone at any age. For some patients, dentistry can provoke a fear and trepidation that, in spite of knowing there is a problem, the individual will forgo care until the emergency reaches unbearable discomfort. For others, past negative experiences in the dental chair can cause patients to avoid visiting their dentist. Whatever the reason, the team at Implant and General Dentistry of Long Island can help with the use of sedation dentistry.
What is sedation dentistry?
Drs. Dean and Renee Glasser describe sedation dentistry as a method of addressing dental anxiety, fear, or even a severe gag reflex with the use of pharmaceutical medicines or inhalation agents. With sedation, patients can be made to feel relaxed and comfortable before, during, and after their dental treatments. Often the patients will have little or no recollection of the procedure as some of the sedatives have amnesic properties. Our practice offers several modalities of sedation for patients to choose from, and these can all be discussed during a consultation visit at our facility. The main purpose of Sedation Dentistry is to create an environment that will allow the patient to complete elective or emergency care in a relaxed setting that best suits the patient.
Oral conscious sedation – for patients with moderate anxieties, oral conscious sedation is an effective solution. A sedative is administered approximately one hour prior to the procedure and the patient is then transferred to a dental treatment room where they can relax to light music or TV. Once sedated to an acceptable level the patient can undergo dental treatments without the uneasiness all the while being carefully monitored. Upon completion of treatment the patient is allowed to relax during the recovery phase. When the patient is deemed stable the patient is then discharged and escorted home by a responsible adult.
Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas that has been previously used in operating room settings and can be used to relax the slightly anxious dental patient. Also known as “laughing gas,” this inhalation agent can provide enough anxiety reduction that when supplemented with dental anesthetic, can create a suitable level of relaxation to allow the patient to receive proper care. The administration of this gas is done via a mask and when the procedure is complete, oxygen is administered to reverse the effects. Patients who utilized nitrous oxide sedation can immediately drive themselves home or to work following their appointment. The ability to quickly recover from this light sedation and resume normal activities without any lingering effect makes this a viable option for many patients.
Are you interested in learning more about sedation dentistry solutions?
Contact Drs. Dean and Renee Glasser of Implant and General Dentistry of Long Island in Melville, NY to request an appointment and see if sedation Dentistry is the right option for you. The office is located at 458 Old Country Road and can be reached at (631) 423-6767. We are always open to new and current patients in the area.
Dr. Dean Glasser is a respected Cosmetic and General Dentist, serving Melville, NY and the greater Long Island area. A Professor at Columbia University Dental School, Dr. Glasser is recognized as a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and as a Fellow of the following organizations: the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Association of Hospital Dentistry and the Misch Implant Institute.
The Basics of Oral Surgery
Apr. 15 2019
Whether you are having a temporary implant placed or you’re having a tooth pulled, if you just found out that you have to have oral surgery done you may be a little bit nervous. One of our jobs here at our office is to ensure that all of our patients feel as calm and comfortable about all procedures— including oral surgery— before they walk in through our doors. To help you feel a little bit more relaxed and informed, Dr. Dean Glaser has created a list of three basics of oral surgery.
Anesthesia
When it comes to pain during surgery, it’s the last thing that we want you to feel. Depending on the type of surgery that you are having, we may use one form of anesthesia over another. Typical forms of anesthesia include:
Local anesthetic is injected into the mouth to numb the area to be treated and block the nerves that transmit pain. It is commonly used during fillings, treating gum disease or preparing teeth for crowns.
Sedation is usually administered by inhaling nitrous oxide, or laughing gas. This form of anesthesia is commonly combined with local anesthetic to help relieve anxieties.
General anesthesia is the strongest form of anesthesia available for dental procedures, and involves intravenous drugs to produce a temporary loss of consciousness.
Recovery
We typically encourage all of our patients to at least take a day off work on average to help heal after oral surgery. If you are undergoing a larger oral surgery like having your wisdom teeth removed, then you may want to take even more time off of work. While you're recovering, try taking some over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen to help ease any pain, discomfort, or welling. Additionally, we encourage some of our surgical patients to eat a diet of soft foods for the first few days so that they don’t exacerbate the incision site.
Before you come into our office and have any sort of oral surgery or procedure, we will make sure that you know the ins and outs of what you can expect before, during, and after. To learn more, contact our Melville office today and call us at (631) 423-6767
Dr. Dean Glasser is a respected Cosmetic and General Dentist, serving Melville, NY and the greater Long Island area. A Professor at Columbia University Dental School, Dr. Glasser is recognized as a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and as a Fellow of the following organizations: the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Association of Hospital Dentistry and the Misch Implant Institute.
The 411 on Conscious Dental Sedation
Jul. 15 2018
As much as we dentists don’t like to admit, we aren’t exactly seen as angels in the eyes of most people. In fact, it’s safe to say that the majority of people out there dread coming to the dentist— no matter how nice Dr. Dean Glasser is. And because sitting in the dental chair makes the majority of people at least a little bit anxious, sedation dentistry was invented. Here at Dr. Dean Glasser’s office, we provide patients with a variety of levels of sedation to help you feel as calm as possible during your procedure. For patients who are either undergoing a small procedure like a dental cleaning or cavity, or whom only have a little bit of anxiety, we may recommend either minimal or conscious sedation.
What’s Conscious Sedation?
Conscious sedation is a moderate form of sedation which puts patients in a state of relaxation but allows them to still remain awake and respond to commands. Typically, with this type of sedation, you won’t remember most of the procedure.
How Should You Prepare for Conscious Sedation?
Usually, with conscious sedation, we encourage patients to fast for about six hours beforehand and to avoid drinking anything for two hours before. However, during your initial consultation, we will go over a list of instructions to ensure that you come to your appointment fully prepared.
Make sure that you arrange for someone to pick you up from your appointment because you won’t be able to drive. If you need help arranging a ride, call our office a few days beforehand.
What Is Recovery Like?
One of the best things about recovering from conscious sedation is that it’s very minimal. Most patients experience a bit of grogginess after but that should quickly subside. Inf act, most patients can get right back to their activities just a few hours after their procedure.
Conscious sedation is a great way to stay calm and comfortable during an oral procedure without having to be fully sedated. If you are interested in learning more about conscious sedation and whether or not it’s right for you, contact our Melville office today and call (631) 423-6767.
Dr. Dean Glasser is a respected Cosmetic and General Dentist, serving Melville, NY and the greater Long Island area. A Professor at Columbia University Dental School, Dr. Glasser is recognized as a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and as a Fellow of the following organizations: the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Association of Hospital Dentistry and the Misch Implant Institute.
The 411 on Conscious Sedation
Feb. 15 2018
When it comes to sedation dentistry, patients often assume that the only method used involves being completely unconscious with general anesthesia. And although general anesthesia can be used to help calm patients nerves and make the procedure go smoother for them emotionally, here at Dr. Dean Glasser’s office, we offer a variety of different types of sedation dentistry ranging from conscious sedation to deep sedation to even (yes, you guessed it) general anesthesia. To help you gain a better understanding of the types of sedation we offer, let’s take a closer look at conscious sedation.
What Is Conscious Sedation?
This type of sedation involves sedatives that will be administered to you before the dental procedure to help you relax. Although you will be conscious and responsive during your entire dental treatment, you won’t feel any pain, and many patients don’t remember much of the procedure afterward.
What Are the Benefits?
If your mind races and your dental fears tend to be greater than they actually are, then Dr. Dean Glasser may recommend conscious sedation to help ease your fears and calm your nerves. In general, we like to avoid general anesthesia unless it’s absolutely necessary— because it has more side effects. With conscious sedation, however, we can help many of our patients feel psychologically and physically more comfortable without as many risks involved.
There are too many things in life to stress over, and dental work shouldn’t be one of them. If dental fears are plaguing your life and preventing you from getting dental work done, Dr. Dean Glasser has got you covered. Ranging in strength and catered toward every patient, we have three different methods of sedation dentistry to help ease your fears.
Ready to take steps to learn more about sedation dentistry? Schedule an appointment at our Melville office today: (631) 423-6767.
Dr. Dean Glasser is a respected Cosmetic and General Dentist, serving Melville, NY and the greater Long Island area. A Professor at Columbia University Dental School, Dr. Glasser is recognized as a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and as a Fellow of the following organizations: the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Association of Hospital Dentistry and the Misch Implant Institute.
3 Ways to Ease Your Dental Anxiety
Mar. 15 2017
Going to the dentist isn’t exactly rated on people’s list of “Top 10 favorite things to do.” However, as one of the most important steps in ensuring that you have a clean and healthy smile, coming into Dr. Dean Glasser twice a year will keep your teeth in the best condition possible. Dr. Dean Glasser knows that some patients suffer from dental anxiety that causes them to miss appointments and regular cleanings. If you have dental anxiety, you are not alone— that is why we have created this brief list of three ways that you can ease your anxiety. Read on to learn more.
Deep Breathing
Both before and during your dental exam, try some deep breathing exercises. By slowing down and controlling your breath, you can help alleviate some of the anxieties you are feeling. Slowly inhale through your nose and then exhale through your mouth— focusing on every breath you take.
Remember It’s Never As Bad As You Think It Is
One of the most important things to remember when thinking about your dental procedure is that it is never as bad as you think it is. In fact, you likely imagine things and pain that you will never even experience.
Ask About Sedation
Here at Dr. Glasser’s office, we offer dental sedation to help ease your anxieties and feel calm during your entire procedure. Depending on the type of procedure you are having and the level of anxiety you are suffering from, sedation options include things like laughing gas and oral sedatives. Before you come in for your cleaning or procedure, contact our office to learn more about whether or not you are a suitable candidate for dental sedation.
Dealing with dental anxiety can make even coming into Dr. Dean Glasser seem hard to do. If you would like to learn more about dental anxiety and how it can be treated, contact Dr. Dean Glasser.
Dr. Dean Glasser is a respected Cosmetic and General Dentist, serving Melville, NY and the greater Long Island area. A Professor at Columbia University Dental School, Dr. Glasser is recognized as a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and as a Fellow of the following organizations: the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Association of Hospital Dentistry and the Misch Implant Institute.
Bid Adieu To Your Dental Fears
Jul. 15 2016
If the thought of a visit to the dentist sets your stomach a-flutter, fear not and breathe deeply. There is a solution. Dr. Glasser commonly uses conscious sedation as a way to help his patients relax during their dental procedures. This type of sedation uses a gas called Nitrous Oxide and is also called “inhaled minimal sedation.” You may have heard of nitrous oxide because it’s common name is “laughing gas.”
What is Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is an effective, yet safe, colorless gas with a slightly sweet odor. It is prepared for use by heating ammonium nitrate and then mixing it with oxygen. When used in conscious sedation dentistry, it produces exhilaration or light anesthesia when inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose. It does not put you to sleep.
How does it work?
During your procedure, you will be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions Dr. Glasser may have. You breathe normally through your nose, and within a few minutes you will begin to feel nitrous oxide’s calm, soothing effects. You may feel a tingling in your legs and arms or they may feel heavy. You may also feel light-headed. But the important thing to remember is that you will feel calm and comfortable.
Nitrous oxide wears off soon after the mask is removed and your dental procedure is complete. For most procedures, you will require a local anesthetic, a numbing medication at the site of the procedure, as well.
Nitrous oxide can make procedures that take hours seem like minutes, even though you are completely awake and conscious. When its effects wear off, you will not recall the smells, sights or sounds of your visit.
Before your dental procedure, Dr. Glasser will go over your medical history, including any medications you are taking. This is an important step that ensures you are a good candidate for conscious sedation.
If it’s been too long since your last dental visit, don’t wait another day. Call to schedule an appointment, today: (631) 423-6767.
Dr. Dean Glasser is a respected Cosmetic and General Dentist, serving Melville, NY and the greater Long Island area. A Professor at Columbia University Dental School, Dr. Glasser is recognized as a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and as a Fellow of the following organizations: the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Association of Hospital Dentistry and the Misch Implant Institute.
Patient Reviews
My family and I have been using Dr. Glasser for 30 years. He is the best! He is a professional through and through as well a great guy. He's honest, ethical & always has his patients best interest at heart. He did an excellent job on my implants and caps I could not have gotten a better more beautiful new set of teeth any where else.
- Richard G.