Sedation Facts
Dr. Andrew Huang is the ONLY sedation dentist in Morgan Hill
Are you or do you know someone who is anxious or fearful about dental treatment and even worries
about it all the time?
When a person is afraid, the threshold for pain is much lower, and he becomes hypersensitive
to every sensation, prick, and noise. Fear and anxiety trigger the release of certain chemicals
like adrenalin which put the "fight or flight" instincts on high alert. He anticipates
that something is going to hurt and so he tenses the muscles, even if it is subconsciously. In
this heightened state of anxiety he experiences more pain during and even after treatment. However,
this response can be virtually eliminated with oral sedation!
Oral sedation allows patients the confidence and peace of mind to experience
dental procedures in a whole new way. Hours seem to pass like mere minutes: necessary dental
treatment can be performed comfortably because a person is relaxed, and Dr. Andrew Huang can work
more efficiently because he can focus more on the work at hand and less on the patient’s
comfort level.
What is sedation dentistry?
Studies show that 30% of the population avoids the dentist due to fear. Sedation dentistry
provides a safe and comfortable experience for fearful patients to get the care they need and
want. Dr. Andrew Huang is licensed by the Dental Board of California to administer Adult
Oral Conscious Sedation. He can customize the protocols to the patient’s anxiety level
and medical history allowing fearful patients an incredibly comfortable, relaxing and safe experience.
Which patients are appropriate for Oral Conscious Sedation (OCS)?
Patients with anxiety
Patients who suffer from acute or chronic jaw soreness
Patients who have a gag reflex
Patients who complain that they can’t get numb
Patients with physical limitations such as back or neck problems
What post-operative effects can patients expect?
Our protocols require the patient to be dismissed to a responsible caregiver who will drive
them home. Once home, the patient will stay with their companion until all of the effects
of the sedation have worn off.
Would the procedure take longer?
With proper sedation (a small amount of sedation medication), treatment can actually be completed
in much less time.
What are some of the common side effects of these sedation medications?
Retrograde amnesia
The patients have little or no recollection of the treatment. It is not uncommon for
Dr. Huang to get calls from patients who are amazed that they don’t remember the appointment.
The front desk then says, “Have you looked in the mirror yet?” The patient excitedly
realizes that they have a new smile and they have no memory of the treatment being performed at
all! They are so happy because memories of dentistry are not something they savor.
Less post-operative soreness
Patients will no longer routinely require postoperative pain medications. They often recover
sooner, and are less sore than they would have been without OCS. This is the anecdotal experience
of hundreds of thousands of cases.
Dry mouth
During a sedation appointment the sedative will decrease salivary flow and allow the dentist
to perform treatment in a dryer environment.
Spare Hiccups
A small percentage of patients (3%) will experience a period of hiccups lasting no longer than
ten minutes. They are self-limiting.
How safe is OCS?
Historically, adult OCS has been one of the safest modalities in dentistry. One of the
reasons for that is Dr. Huang monitor patients’ vital signs using a pulse oximeter/blood
pressure monitor. This monitor is easy to use yet sophisticated enough to measure blood pressure
every five minutes and continuously measure pulse rate and blood oxygen before, during and after
a sedation procedure.
Is it hard to work on me when I am sedated?
Once you are sedated, you will be totally relaxed and comfortable, allowing Dr. Huang to do
the best dentistry possible. You will be the easiest patients to treat. Dr. Huang
can work on you more efficiently, which means a shorter appointment time for you.
What about drug interactions?
Sedation medications are chosen based on an individual’s medical history and any possible
drug interactions that may occur. Dr. Huang uses a sophisticated drug interaction software
that automatically checks all the medications the patient is taking, even herbals and nutritional
supplements, against a predetermined list of suggested sedative drugs. In addition, Dr.
Huang will normally contact your primary care physician prior to doing sedation and discuss any
possible ramification.
Will insurance pay for OCS?
Insurance companies do not pay for sedation. However, for many fearful patients, this
is the only alternative than losing all their teeth.
Please contact Dr. Andrew Huang today if you have any further questions
on Sedation Dentistry!
(408) 782-6568 or info@stdental.com
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