Fear of dental therapy is prevalent in our society.  It affects all types of people and does not discriminate against age, sex, economic or racial boundaries.  American Dental Association estimates that close to 25% of the population avoids dental therapy because of fear. We have a lot of experience catering to cowards.  If you have a fear of dentists, sensitive teeth, hate needless, have a bad gag reflex or limited time to go to have dental therapy, sedation dentistry can help you.

Dr. Hashim is lisenced by the Ohio State Dental Board to provide oral, nitrous-oxide (laughing gas) as well as intravenous sedation.  Dr. Hashim is a certified instructor in Basic Life Support (BLS) for the American Heart Association and always maintains current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

Sedation/Sleep Dentistry places you in a state of total relaxation. You will have little or no memory of the experience. And best of all…..NO DISCOMFORT! We won't start your treatment until you are completely comfortable. Ask for sedation to eliminate your anxieties about dental care. There are different levels of sedation and we can tailor them to your needs.

Laughing Gas (Nitrous-oxide)

Nitrous oxide is administered with a comfortable mask placed over the nose, and the patient is instructed to breathe in through the nose and out through their mouth. The patient begins to feel a pleasant level of sedation in anywhere from 30 seconds to three or four minutes. After the gas is adjusted to the appropriate dose, and the patient is relaxed and sedated, the dentist can comfortably give the injection (if needed) to the patient, and then proceed with dental treatment. After the treatment is completed, the patient is given pure oxygen to breathe for about five minutes, and all the effects of sedation are usually reversed. Unlike IV sedation or general anesthesia, the patient can almost always leave the office by themselves, without an escort.

Oral Sedation (Pill Sedation)

By taking a pill an hour before your appointment you will already be relaxed when you arrive at our office. You must be accompanied to and from the appointment by a friend or loved one. Depending on your individual needs, you will be relaxed and sedated for a short or long visit. This may allow treatment requiring six or eight visits to be accomplished in as little as one. By having intravenous medicines, you  will be very relaxed and not may remember what went on during your visit. 

We normally prescribe a sedative oral pill to take the night before your procedure.  This allows you to have a good night's sleep and helps wake you up relaxed.  

You will need a companion to bring you to the office.  Additional oral medications will be needed to achieve and maintain a relaxed state.  We will be closely monitoring your vital signs throughout your visit.

Your companion will take you home and will remain with you until you are recovered from the oral medication.

IV Sedation

With safe and proven techniques, patients receive sedative drugs, which work rapidly to create a relaxed state that is maintained and monitored throughout treatment. Beyond creating an optimal environment for you, dentistry with IV Sedation also allows us to complete multiple and complex procedures in one appointment.

An IV is started allowing all medications for relaxation to enter your body. You will not remember or be aware of any procedures or especially "getting numb." You breathe on your own. This is not like the hospital anesthesia where a machine breathes for you.

Anxious or even phobic patients often discover that sedation dentistry can offer the perfect solution for maintaining good dental health while being in a totally relaxed state or in twilight sleep.

Commonly Asked Questions about Sedation

Will I feel any discomfort?  You will feel nothing if you take a pill, usually placed under the tongue.  Small prick on the back if your hand is all you will feel if you have intravenous sedation.

Will I be unconscious?  Nn You are in a state of light conscious sedation, you are responsive to verbal directions.

Will I be monitored?  Yes, one of our team is always with you and your vital signs are monitored during the entire visit: blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, EKG, and expired carbon dioxide.

How long will I be sedated?  Depending on your needs, from 1 to  4 hours.

Will someone need to accompany me?  Yes, you will need someone to accompany you due to the sedative effects of the sleeping pill or the intravenous medications.

Is it safe?  The oral medication we use is a commonly prescribed sleeping pill.  Over one million pills are safely taken daily. The intravenous medications are more potent and deliver much greater sedation.

If you have any of the following:

· Fear of dental treatment
· History of traumatic dental experiences
· Difficulty getting numb
· Very sensitive gag reflex or difficulty opening
· Extremely sensitive teeth
· Limited time to get your dental care completed
· Complex dental problems; or a need for surgery
· Above average disdain for "getting numb"
· Embarrassment about your teeth
· In denial of a dental problem until the pain is unbearable
· Have not received professional dental care in many years, perhaps decades
· Go from dentist to dentist, or doctors, to renew painkiller prescriptions for dental problems
· Often make and then cancel dental appointments
· Make numerous, lengthy phone calls to the dentist's office
· Experience sweaty palms or find yourself gripping the armrests

Imagine being able to smile with confidence and chew your food without pain. No wonder so many patients say: "Relaxed dentistry changed my life