Through conscious sedation, your apprehensions about dental treatment can be eliminated. Dr. Robert Karl Jr. is certified by the State of California to deliver dental treatment with conscious sedation, for fearful and medically compromised patients. This can be done orally with a pill or intravenously with a needle. Are you one of the millions of people who have put off going to the dentist because of the anxieties and fears associated with some types of dental care? Has it been five, ten, fifteen, even twenty years since you last had any dental treatment? Would you appreciate being completely relaxed, having all your dental needs taken care of in perhaps one appointment... and afterwards remembering very little about your visit? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then we can help. Please contact us for a free consultation.

What is conscious sedation?

You are sedated... in other words, you are conscious, you breathe, swallow, and are in control. However, all your anxieties about dental care are removed. As a matter of fact, most people remember very little about their visit except that all their dental work was completed while they were sedated. There are several different sedation methods and Dr. Karl Jr. will help you decide which one is best for your needs.

Who benefits from dental conscious sedation?

* Anyone who has fears and anxiety about dental treatment of any kind
* Anyone who has put off dental care for years because of dental anxiety
* Anyone who wants to have all their care prepared in one day
* Anyone who wants to be treated in a caring and safe environment

Conscious Sedation in Dentistry

Anesthesia Options

Many patients are nervous about dental visits and put off treatment for years. Procrastination, however, can be the worst thing for gums and teeth. Various sedation and relaxation techniques can put the most phobic patient at ease.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Drugs are given via taking a small pill to create a state of deep relaxation and amnesia. The patient is free of anxiety, loses sense of time, and has little memory of the procedure. This is an excellent modality for an apprehensive patient for any dental procedure or a patient undergoing a surgical procedure, such as implant surgery. During the procedure the patient is continually monitored with automatic blood pressure, and oxygen saturation levels. The patient cannot drive after this procedure.

Intravenous Conscious Sedation

Drugs are given through an intravenous catheter to create a state of deep relaxation and amnesia. The patient is free of anxiety, loses sense of time, and has no memory of the procedure. This is an excellent modality for an extremely apprehensive patient for any dental procedure or a patient undergoing a surgical procedure, such as implant surgery. During the procedure the patient is continually monitored with EKG, carbon dioxide, automatic blood pressure, and oxygen saturation levels. The patient cannot drive after this procedure. This is an in-office procedure.

A large segment of our population is apprehensive about having dental procedures performed. Through conscious sedation for a dental procedure, an apprehensive patient can be treated in a relaxed way, allowing their oral health care to be completed. Conscious sedation also allows a lower stress level to be achieved for the medically compromised patient. Dr. Robert Karl Jr. has completed the academic requirements and has received certification from the State of California to deliver conscious IV sedation in our office.

Local Anesthesia

Some patients are so stoic they don't even require a local anesthetic or a numbing of the gums. However, most patients do. The slightest discomfort can be easily eliminated. A topical anesthetic is first applied to numb the tissue before an injection is given. Two types of injections are available. An infiltration injection numbs or eliminates any discomfort in a localized area. A block injection will numb an entire region as is often done with the lower jaw. The numbness will last from less that an hour to several hours, but will completely wear off.

Nitrous Oxide Anesthesia

A combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen is breathed through a nasal mask to give a sensation of relaxation and euphoria. Patients may also know this as "laughing gas." The gas is odorless. It takes about three minutes to achieve a comfortable state. The patient is totally awake during this procedure and can direct the doctor if they feel any discomfort. Nitrous oxide is completely eliminated from the patients' system within a few minutes after the procedure, so that you are able to drive. This is a significant help for relieving mild to moderate anxiety and helps eliminate the gag reflex. Nitrous oxide oxygen can be used for children and often eliminates the need for a local anesthetic (needle) or numbing. This can be a big help for positive management of younger patients.