Kurt Van Winkle, D.D.S., M.S.D., P.C.

Sedation

Our office staff can help assist you in choosing a sedation option that is best suited for your needs.

Please know that sedation options are purely elective and are not mandatory for any of our procedures. Even when sedation is used, a local anesthetic for “numbing” in the area of treatment will still be administered.

We offer 3 options for sedation to ease dental anxiety:

Nitrous Oxide

More commonly known as “laughing gas”, is a mixture of oxygen and nitrous. It is most often used in dentist’s offices and is safe for all ages. Using nitrous oxide will NOT impair your ability to drive, nor have any after effects.

Oral Sedation

We offer Halcion or the generic name “Triazolam” in a pill form. If you choose Halcion as a form of sedation you will NOT be able to drive to and from your appointment or for the remainder of the day. This oral sedation is taken one hour prior to your dental treatment. Dosage will be discussed at your initial exam.

You are not to eat 6 hours prior to surgery, or have any caffeine products, as this will reduce the effects of the medicine.

IV Sedation

This intravenous sedation is administered by Dr. Van Winkle and is considered a “light conscious sedation”. You will maintain your protective reflexes, however, you will be less aware of your environment and of any discomfort. If you choose IV Sedation as a form of sedation you will NOT be able to drive to and from your appointment or for the remainder of the day.

You are not to eat 6 hours prior to surgery, or have any caffeine products, as this will reduce the effects of the medicine.

These options for sedation can be further reviewed by a staff member at your initial exam if you feel that one of the options would suit your needs.

Please Note:

  • An additional fee is associated with sedation. It is not included in the surgical fee.
  • Any form of sedation is not an option if you are pregnant.
  • When choosing sedation, for your safety, a responsible adult is needed to drive you home and stay with you for a few hours.

For your safety, ride services such as a taxi, Uber or Lyft are unacceptable as means of transportation after sedation.