Your guide to sedation dentistry and sleep dentistry,
from Houston dentist, Patrick Flinn, DDS.

Thanks to sedation dentistry, you don’t have to try and get over your fear of the dentist. You can get the dental care you need, while being deeply relaxed or even fully asleep.

Sedation dentistry isn’t just for people with dental fear or anxiety.
Sedation dentistry can make your dental care more efficient and convenient. If you don’t have time for multiple office visits to get necessary dental work, talk to Dr. Flinn about sedation dentistry.

On your own, you might not be able to sit in a dental chair for several hours, but with IV sedation, you can do it comfortably. You can have hours of dental work done in one visit – without a "hangover" the next day, so you can get back to your routine, fast.

No matter what your reasons for wanting sedation dentistry, success starts with finding the right dentist. Dr. Flinn offers all the office-based options for sedation. He takes the time to understand your needs, educates you about your options and works with you to find the best solution.

Choosing the right sedation option for you will depend on:
• Your overall health
• Your level of dental fear, anxiety or dental phobia
• The type of dental work you need

Sedation Dentistry FAQs

FAQs for IV sedation (sleep dentistry)
FAQs for oral sedation
FAQs for nitrous oxide (laughing gas)

IV Sedation – “Sleep dentistry”

Q. What’s the difference between sedation dentistry and sleep dentistry?
A. This is a great question we hear often from new patients. There is a difference between sedation dentistry and sleep dentistry and you have to ask questions to find out exactly what a dentist can do for you. Any dentist who offers common ways of sedating patients (like nitrous oxide or “laughing gas”) can technically say they provide sedation dentistry. However, if you suffer with extreme dental fear or anxiety, "laughing gas" may not be strong enough to keep you comfortable. If you are in generally good health, you may be a good candidate for sleep dentistry with IV sedation, but few general dentists offer this option.

IV sedation lets you sleep deeply during your dental treatment, while breathing on your own. The only type of sedation more complete is general anesthesia, which makes you completely unconscious and requires the care of an MD in a medical setting.

Only dentists with special training and certification may legally provide IV sedation. Dr. Patrick Flinn is certified by the State of Texas to provide IV sedation in the office. He has many years of experience and extensive training in the safe use of IV sedation. With a Mastership designation from the Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Flinn is one of Houston’s most experienced general dentists who offer IV sedation.

Q. “What will I feel under IV sedation?”
A. You will be completely unaware of what is happening during treatment and you will not remember what happened after you wake up. For this reason, Dr. Flinn and our team believe it is especially important that you have established trust and a comfort level with your dentist.

Q. “Is IV sedation safe?”
A. IV sedation in dentistry has a long track record of safety and predictability. The drugs used are well proven and safe, when used by a specially trained dentist like Dr. Flinn. You continue to breathe on your own and have the ability to respond to requests, though you will not be aware of any pain, sounds, sights or smells during treatment. Unlike oral sedation, which has a set, one-time dose, IV sedation levels are easily and precisely adjusted, so you get exactly the amount of medication you need.

Q. “Is IV sedation right for me?”
A. Only you and your dentist can decide that. If you are in generally good health, and want to be unaware of your dental treatment (because of dental fear or anxiety or dental phobia – or because you need extensive treatment that may take a long time) IV sedation should be a good option for you.

If you are pregnant, allergic to the medications used, have substance abuse problems, or certain lung or kidney diseases, IV sedation may not be appropriate. Dr. Flinn will talk with you, study your medical history and help you decide on the right option for sedation.

Q. “What’s dental treatment with IV sedation really like?”
A. Once you and Dr. Flinn decide on your treatment plan, you’ll be given complete instructions on how to prepare and what to expect. We will answer all your questions thoroughly and do everything possible to ease your mind before you come in.

Preparation is easy - you must not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before you come in. You will need someone responsible to come with you to your appointment and drive you home.

When you arrive, we will place painless monitors to keep track of your vital signs, and Dr. Flinn will talk with you for a moment before proceeding, to make sure you are ready and answer any other questions. Next, he places the IV, introduces the fast-acting medications and proceeds with your dental treatment.

For the vast majority of our patients, the next thing they know, they are in the recovery room and treatment is complete.

Recovery time from the sedation is fast. You’ll want to go home and rest afterward, but you should experience no “hangover” from the medication. We’ll call to check on you and make sure you’re doing well.

Learn more about IV sedation at your “stress-free first visit.” Call and schedule your appointment with Dr. Patrick Flinn, today: (832) 731-7838

Oral sedation

Q. “What kind of medication is used in oral sedation?”
A. With oral sedation, Dr. Flinn prescribes a strong sedative. If, for some reason, you cannot take the medication that is typically recommended, Dr. Flinn will prescribe another appropriate medication to help relieve anxiety before and during your visit.

Q. “How does oral sedation feel?”
A. The medication makes you very relaxed and sleepy. In fact, you may fall asleep during treatment, but the medication itself does not put you to sleep. With oral sedation, you breathe on your own, and are aware but deeply relaxed. The medication may also make you forget much of the treatment – a positive effect for many of our patients. A local anesthetic is still used, so you should feel no pain from your dental treatment.

Q. “Why would I consider oral sedation?”
A. If you have moderate dental fear or anxiety, oral sedation can be an effective, low-cost way to feel more relaxed and comfortable during dental treatment. It’s simple, safe and works well for most people

Q. “How long do the effects last?”
A. Usually around 6 hours. You will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. You’ll want to rest afterward, but you should not feel any lingering effects from the medication the next day.

Nitrous oxide ("laughing gas")

Q. “What is nitrous oxide?”
A. Nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” is a fast-acting, painkilling gas that brings on a euphoric feeling when inhaled through the nose. Most people find it pleasurable, but some people are bothered by the sensation.

Q. “How safe is nitrous oxide?”
A. Nitrous oxide is safe for most people, but it must be mixed with oxygen to avoid potential problems. In Dr. Flinn’s office, the mixture is usually 50 to 70% oxygen, with the remainder being nitrous oxide. If you have a lung condition, such as asthma or emphysema, nitrous oxide may not be right for you, but otherwise it is a safe, reliable method of sedation.

Q. “Will I feel pain while on nitrous oxide?”
A. The main function of nitrous oxide is to relieve mild to moderate anxiety, but the gas also has pain-relieving properties. It can make it easier for nervous patients to relax during injections of a local anesthetic and to remain relaxed throughout dental treatment.

Q. “Will I feel “hungover” from nitrous oxide?”
A. No. This is one of the main advantages of this form of sedation dentistry. It leaves the system quickly, within a few minutes. There are no after-effects, so you can drive yourself to and from your dental appointment.

Dr. Flinn provides all options for sedation in the dental office and will work closely with you to find a solution that keeps you comfortable and meets your health needs. Learn more by scheduling your appointment, today: (832) 731-7838.