Sedation Dentistry

Here in Egg Harbor Township at Serenity Smile Designs: Cosmetic, Implant, & General Dentistry we believe in patient comfort. Our dental office strongly believes in our motto Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy Serenity. We now offer various forms of sedation dentistry. Dr. Erik Mendelsohn has received extensive training in sedation dentistry. It is no longer necessary to have your dental procedures done in the hospital we are equipped to provide you with sedation method of your choice right here in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.

Nitrous oxide is used in roughly one-third of dental practices in the United States. Our office in Egg Harbor Township is one of a few certified to administer nitrous oxide gas. The benefits of nitrous oxide are many, and the risks are few. Dr. Erik Mendelsohn administers the gas with a comfortable mask placed over the nose,and the patient is instructed to breathe in through the nose and out through their mouth. As a precaution, patients should not eat anything for about two hours prior to use of the gas. The patient begins to feel a pleasant level of sedation anywhere from 30 seconds to three or four minutes. The cheeks and gums will also begin to feel numb in about a third of the patients.

After the gas is adjusted to the appropriate dose and the patient is relaxed, the dentist can comfortably give the injection (if needed) to the patient, and then proceed with dental treatment. After the treatment is completed, the patient is given pure oxygen to breathe for about five minutes, and all the effects of sedation are usually reversed. Unlike IV sedation or general anesthesia, the patient can almost always leave the office by themselves, without an escort.

Nitrous oxide has few side effects. High doses can cause nausea in some patients, and about 10 percent of patients do not benefit from it. Patients that are claustrophobic or have blocked nasal passages cannot use nitrous oxide effectively. Nitrous oxide is one of the safest anesthetics available. Interestingly, it is also routinely used by anesthesiologists for general anesthesia in combination with other more potent gases.

Dr. Erik Mendelsohn finds nitrous oxide especially useful for fearful patients as well as young children. The effect of nitrous oxide is often remarkable. A patient that was anxious just a minute or two before treatment will become relaxed and calm. Because nitrous oxide is so effective, dentists rarely need to prescribe Valium for anxious patients before treatment. If you are nervous before or during dental treatment, ask you dentist if he or she has nitrous oxide available — it works wonders!

Oral Conscious Sedation:

Oral Conscious sedation utilized very safe oral sedative medication to significantly reduce your fears and discomfort and does not require needles to administer and is significantly cheaper that IV sedation. IV Sedation can be very expensive and dangerous. Dr. Erik Mendelsohn is qualified to perform oral sedation right in his Egg Harbor Township dental office.

Benefits of Oral Conscious Sedation:

• Very effective to mild to moderate anxiety.
• It’s safe and easy
• You can breath and speak on your own and remain fully responsive during the procedure
• Cheaper than IV or General sedation

In  many cases it is possible for Dr. Erik Mendelsohn to get all of your dental work in one visit. Unlike general anesthesia which render you completely unconscious, you’ll be able to speak an respond on you own. Although you will not actually be asleep, you will enjoy a heightened state of relaxation and you probably won’t remember much about the procedure afterwords.While you are fully relaxed you will still receive local anesthesia to ensure the entire procedure is pain free. This is one of the safest forms of sedation and Dr. Erik Mendelsohn is trained to perform this form of mild sedation right here in the office.

You will be asked to have a companion to drive you to and from your dental visit any time you are sedated. When you arrive in our office you will be given a specific dosage of a prescribed medication. Once the effect begin we will also provide Nitrous Oxide to further enhance you level of relaxation.