Sedation Dentistry

Do you get nervous at the thought of an upcoming dental appointment? If so, you’re not alone. For millions of people, though, going to the dentist leads to anxiety or even feelings of outright fear.

Does this sound like you? If so, then you may benefit from sedation dentistry. At Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry, we offer laughing gas and oral conscious medications as a way to help you relax and remain calm during your appointments. For some procedures, we can even bring in an anesthesiologist to perform IV sedation. We also offer NuCalm to help soothe anxiety.


Laughing Gas


Laughing gas is inhaled through a mask while you receive your dental care. The purpose of this gas is to help you relax and feel comfortable while undergoing dental procedures.

Your awareness of your surroundings will be diminished. This form of sedation will not put you to sleep; you will have complete control over your body and will be able to interact with your dental care team.

Is Laughing Gas Safe?

Laughing gas is deemed safe for most patients. It contains a mild sedative, mixed with oxygen, and lasts only while receiving treatment.

At the end of your treatment, the flow of the gas is turned off and replaced with oxygen, taking a few minutes for the sedation effects to fade away.

It is even safe for children who are apprehensive or anxious about their dental visit, or who may struggle with sitting still throughout their appointment.

Oral Conscious Medications


For some patients, oral conscious sedation may be helpful. This medication produces a relaxed feeling that can help anxiety and tension melt away. Quite often, patients who use this medication hardly remember their appointments because they are so relaxed.

This is an option that we can discuss with you. We will determine if this option might be right for you after taking a detailed medical history and discussing your concerns.

Patients who use oral conscious medications will require a ride to and from the appointment for safety reasons.

IV Sedation


There are times when patients require deep sedation in order to remain calm and comfortable during a complex or lengthy procedure. Reasons for choosing IV sedation could include dental phobia, a longer procedure, or simply a combination of unique health needs.

We will carefully assess your needs as well as your health history before recommending this option for your dental care. After making this recommendation, we will discuss the pros and cons of this sedation technique as well as the reasons behind the recommendation.

We can bring in an anesthesiologist who can monitor your vitals and maintain the right amount of sedation while we tend to your oral health. Patients who require this option will receive detailed instructions in preparation for the appointment.

Do I Need Sedation Dentistry?


Patients who experience anxiety or fear of undergoing dental treatments or have a strong gag reflex should consider sedation dentistry.

These individuals usually are in the greatest need of dental care because they may have avoided going to the dentist over the years due to fear. Consequently, this extended neglect of their dental health can increase the likelihood that they are dealing with a number of dental problems that may require a variety of dental treatments to resolve.

Sedation dentistry also can benefit patients suffering from certain pre-existing conditions that may complicate receiving dental care, including:

  • A heightened or extremely sensitive gag reflex.
  • Problems sitting still for an extended period of time.
  • Jaw pain or discomfort that makes it difficult to keep your mouth open for an extended period of time while undergoing dental work.

Patients who choose sedation dentistry typically find that their procedures are much easier and more comfortable, even if they have one of these conditions.

However, sedation is not a good treatment choice for everyone. We will not use sedation dentistry if you are pregnant, have glaucoma, or central nervous system depression. Sedation dentistry also is not a good choice for patients who have an allergy to sedatives, or a resistance to certain medications.

NuCalm


Some patients are uncomfortable with the idea of sedatives, and others cannot use them due to certain medical conditions. Now, a revolutionary approach to resolving dental anxiety called NuCalm can offer you a relaxed experience at the dentist without medication!

Traditional methods of sedation dentistry involve either using medication (pill form) or laughing gas. While these methods are safe and effective, they may not be a good fit for everyone due to health restrictions.

With NuCalm, you can undergo your dental treatments while feeling completely calm and relaxed, all thanks to this revolutionary, all-natural non-pharmaceutical method. Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry is excited to be the only office in the area to offer NuCalm to patients.

How NuCalm Works

NuCalm allows you to receive dental treatments while feeling relaxed. It is all-natural, meaning it:

  • Is drug-free.
  • Is easy to administer.
  • Is comfortable to use.
  • Does not cause any side effects.

NuCalm is unique in that it mimics the same communication process our bodies use when we are getting ready to go to sleep by preparing the mind for relaxation. Once administered, it takes only minutes to feel its effects.

The best part is that, by the time your appointment is over, you can leave the office and resume your normal activities or return to work. No need to rely on someone to drive you to and from your appointment or rest for the remainder of the day.

Benefits of NuCalm

NuCalm has significant benefits as opposed to traditional sedation dentistry options.

No Need for Recovery Time – Because NuCalm is completely natural, it does not involve any sort of recovery time afterward. You can be well on your way immediately following your procedure.

Stress-Free Dental Treatments – With NuCalm, you can undergo anything from a dental cleaning to extensive procedures while feeling completely relaxed and calm.

Rejuvenate at the Dentist’s Office – You probably never thought you could have a spa-like experience at the dentist, but you can with NuCalm! Many patients report feeling refreshed and rejuvenated afterward.

Is NuCalm Safe?

Studies have proven that NuCalm is safe for most patients, including children. It is important, however, that you disclose your complete health history with your dentist prior to undergoing any treatment involving NuCalm.

Am I a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry or NuCalm?

Experiencing fear or anxiety at the thought of going to your Scotts Valley dentist is common among many patients.

Becoming anxious the moment you walk in through the doors can set off fear and anxiety that seems to creep up out of nowhere. These feelings may even prevent you from seeing the dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings, only going in when you experience an oral health problem such as pain or a toothache.

If you suffer from any level of dental anxiety, we want to help you relax during your time here.

Also, patients undergoing multiple treatments that will require a longer than normal appointment may want to consider one of these options for added comfort during their procedures.

We will carefully evaluate your health and your needs to determine whether one of these options is right for you.


Soothing Dental Experiences in Scotts Valley, California

The next step is to schedule a consultation with us at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry. At this appointment, you should be sure to discuss your dental health and past medical history with the dentist to make certain that we can choose an effective method for you.

Schedule your consultation today by contacting by calling (831) 438-4411. We welcome patients of Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley, California!