Dental Sedation and Anesthesia

Yes, dentists can administer sedation to patients, depending on their qualifications. Dr. Andrew Farkas has undergone specialized training to ensure safe and effective conscious sedation administration. If you're considering sedation for your dental treatment, we encourage you to discuss your options with us so we can address any concerns and help you make the best choice for your care.

Yes, at Smile Montecito, we understand that dental anxiety can be a significant barrier to receiving necessary dental care. While general anesthesia is not typically utilized for dental anxiety, conscious sedation options such as nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation are highly effective alternatives.

General anesthesia carries certain risks and complexities that may not be necessary for managing dental anxiety. Instead, our focus is on providing conscious sedation options that allow you to remain responsive and communicate with our team throughout your treatment.

If general anesthesia is required and / or desired, a board-certified anesthesiologist will be consulted and brought into our practice for treatment. This option is available and can be discussed during the treatment planning visit.

A common concern patients have is whether they'll feel anything under dental sedation.

While local anesthesia is always used to numb the area and is effective, some patients may still experience sensations such as pressure, irritation, or mild pain even after the anesthetic takes effect. In such cases, the sedation level will be adjusted to enhance the overall comfort of the patient.

Through the careful administration of sedatives tailored to your individual needs, you'll remain relaxed and calm during your dental procedure. While you may still feel some pressure or sensations, any discomfort will be significantly minimized, allowing you to fully relax while Dr. Farkas performs your procedure with precision and care.

During sedation dentistry, you're not completely asleep but rather in a deeply relaxed and drowsy state.

At Smile Montecito, different levels of sedation, ranging from minimal to moderate, are available. With minimal sedation, you may remain conscious but feel extremely relaxed and unaware of the procedure. With deeper levels of sedation, some patients may drift off to sleep briefly but can typically be awakened easily.

The level of sedation used depends on factors such as the type of procedure, your medical history, and your level of anxiety. Rest assured, Dr. Farkas will discuss the options with you and ensure you're comfortable throughout the entire process.

The duration of dental sedation can vary depending on several factors, including the type of sedative used, the dosage administered, and individual factors such as metabolism and overall health.

Mild sedatives like nitrous oxide (laughing gas) wear off quickly after the gas supply stops. Sedatives that induce a deeper state of relaxation, like oral and intravenous sedation, may last for a few hours and induce drowsiness for several hours post-procedure.

Dr. Farkas will carefully evaluate your medical history and determine the most appropriate type and dosage of sedation for your specific needs, ensuring your safety and comfort throughout the entire dental procedure.