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Safe & Effective Sedation for Your Dental Procedure
Ease your anxiety & receive the dental care you need.
Dentist sedating a patient

Receive dental care comfortably at Southfield Family Dental

Sedation Dentistry in Southfield, MI

The sound of drills, the smell of dental fillings, and the sensation of a loose tooth being excavated from your gums can be an unnerving experience for some. But at Southfield Family Dental, you don't have to stress about your next dental appointment. With safe, comfortable, and effective dental sedation options, your anxiety can be calmed, and our professionals can perform your dental treatment efficiently.

Sedation dentistry provides a safe and simple way to be comfortable while having your dental work done. Many people avoid going to the dentist because of dental anxiety. They may dread the pain associated with dental work, or they may have had an unpleasant experience in the past that keeps them from wanting to go again.

If you've been avoiding dental visits due to anxiety, dental sedation at Southfield Family Dental Center can be your solution. Our qualified sedation dentist will ensure you receive the dental work you want or need without any stress or pain. Experience pain-free dentistry and get the dazzling smile you deserve in Detroit.

Types of Dental Sedation Options for Metro Detroit Patients

Uncertainty can cause fear. At Southfield Family Dental Center, we prioritize your safety and comfort. We provide our patients with comprehensive education about our dental sedation options, ensuring they feel secure and informed. The more you know about these safe and effective techniques, the less you will have to worry about your upcoming treatment.

Laughing Gas

Laughing gas is a sedative in gas form that patients inhale using a mask throughout their treatment. The amount is easily adjusted and is the mildest of our sedation options. Laughing gas creates a mild euphoric feeling and is a good option for patients who have only mild dental anxiety. Before your appointment begins, you will be administered laughing gas, which is easy to breathe and will make you calm and relaxed.

Oral Conscious Sedation

With oral sedation, you'll simply take a small pill that swiftly ushers you into a state of relaxation, allowing you to tune out your surroundings. When you desire the benefits of moderate sedation without the use of needles, oral sedation is the way to go. This medication is a safe, fast-acting sedative with virtually no side effects, ensuring a stress-free dental experience.

IV Sedation arrow_forward_ios

IV sedation is an excellent choice for patients sixteen years and older who experience severe anxiety or fear with dental care.

IV sedation induces deep relaxation when administered intravenously. IV sedation takes immediate effect, and you will feel as if your procedure lasts only a minute or two. Before your appointment begins, you will be administered sedation medication through an IV.

For this IV sedation, patients must complete pre-op consent and evaluation. Depending on your health history or medication, you may also need a medical consultation.

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General Anesthesia arrow_forward_ios

General anesthesia results in no memory of the procedure and a loss of consciousness during treatment. After the sedative is administered through an intravenous line, the person is fully asleep. General anesthesia is the recommended sedation level for patients who are unable to tolerate dental treatment for mental or physical reasons.

General Anesthesia is an excellent choice for pediatric patients and patients with special needs (for example, Autism, Special Needs, and Developmental Disabilities) up to 20 years of age.

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Your Trusted Dental Sedation Experts

Dentist appointments are a common trigger for anxiety, but with sedation dentistry at Southfield Family Dental, you no longer have to worry. You can leave the past dental experiences behind you by using sedative medicine to help you relax and, in some circumstances, help you fall into a euphoric sleep state. By using sedation to ease your worries, our dental professionals are able to provide you with the utmost care during your appointment.

When you undergo sedation dentistry at Southfield Family Dental, your treatment can be completed thoroughly without any recollection of how long it took, the discomfort you experienced, or the noises you heard. Instead, you'll wake up with your dental problems solved and in a calm, relaxed state of mind.

Dentist treating the teeth of a sedated patient

Benefits and Advantages of Sedation Dentistry

  • Feel relaxed as one of our skilled dentists takes care of your dental needs.
  • Save time by consolidating your dental work into a single visit.
  • Walk into our office and walk out the same day with a beautiful and natural-looking smile you will be thrilled to show off.
  • Sedation dentistry can give you a whole new, positive outlook on dentistry.

Dental Sedation FAQs

Why do I need sedation during my dental procedure?
There are a multitude of reasons a patient may require sedation during their dental procedure. A few include extremely sensitive teeth, fear of needles or shots, a strong gag reflex, difficulty with standard numbing, and dental-related fears or anxiety. If any of these symptoms sound like you, contact Southfield Family Dental today at (248) 569-6304 to discuss if sedation treatments are right for you.
What are my sedation options?

At Southfield Family Dental, we offer three sedation options—nitrous oxide, oral, and IV—to ease your mind and leave you feeling relaxed during your treatment.

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is one of the most common forms of sedation and is ideal for patients with mild to moderate anxiety or discomfort.

Oral sedation won't render you unconscious. Instead, you'll enter a deep state of relaxation while remaining aware of your surroundings.

IV sedation is designed for those with severe anxiety surrounding dental care. Working similarly to oral sedation, the IV will place you in a state of calmness that may have an amnesic effect once the procedure is completed. For this reason, we require a third party to drive you home from our Southfield, MI, office.

If you're concerned about your upcoming appointment and want to discuss sedation dentistry options, our professionals will help you determine the best course of action.

How long will I be sedated?
The length of your sedation varies depending on the sedative and duration of your dental treatment. Before your appointment, our professionals will discuss how long you will be sedated and how the process works in more detail.
Who Benefits from Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is an excellent option for patients who have:

  • Dental fear or anxiety
  • A hard time sitting still for long periods.
  • Difficulty becoming numb from anesthetics.
  • An overactive gag reflex.
  • They would like to achieve lengthy dental procedures in one sitting.
What is Sleep Dentistry?

The term "sleep dentistry" is sometimes used to describe sedation dentistry but is not entirely accurate. Sleep dentistry does not mean you fall asleep when you choose sedation dentistry. While some options may induce sleep, most sedation dentistry will only make you feel as if you have been asleep because you feel safe, relaxed, and comfortable.

What Should I Expect from my Sedation Dentistry Procedure?

You can expect pain-free dentistry from any sedated dental procedure. Our sedation dentist will give you the prescription or information necessary before your procedure so you will know what to expect. You may need to take a pill before your sedation dentistry procedure, or you can enter our office and be made comfortable by our caring staff.

Sometimes, you may need to bring someone to drive you to and from your sedation dentistry procedure. Your sedation dentistry experience will vary based upon which type of sedation you and your sedation dentist decide is right for you!

What Dental Sedation Options Do I Have?

At Southfield Family Dental Center, you have not one or two but four safe dental sedation options.

  • Inhaled Minimal Sedation | Laughing gas is administered through a mask placed over the nose. The gas helps you relax and wears off quickly after your visit.
  • Moderate Oral Sedation | With oral sedation, the patient takes a pill about one hour before the procedure. The prescription will make the patient tired and calm during the appointment.
  • Moderate IV Sedation | IV sedation is administered through the veins and takes effect quickly. The patient will remain awake, but their minds and bodies will be at ease.
  • Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia | Patients are deeply asleep throughout the procedure.
Is Sedation Dentistry Used for Anything Besides Dental Anxiety?

Even patients without a fear of the dentist can benefit from dental sedation.

  • For Busy Patients | Sedation dentistry allows patients to sit back and feel comfortable for hours while their dentist transforms their smile. You will be free from dental discomfort while progressing towards a healthy and stunning smile.
  • For Patients with Difficulty Getting Numb | If local anesthesia is not enough to make you comfortable, consider relaxing with dental sedation.
  • For Patients with an Overactive Gag Reflex | An overactive reflex can make treatments uncomfortable or even impossible. Dental sedation puts the muscles at ease and allows you to receive dental care.
  • For Other Patients | Many problems may cause a patient to struggle throughout their time in the dental chair. If you have any concerns about your next appointment, please don't hesitate to ask us about dental sedation. We are sure one of our options will make you feel comfortable during any dental treatments you may need.
Do I Need Someone to Drive Me on the Day My Sedation Procedure is Performed?
Except for nitrous sedation, you will need to bring someone to drive you to and from your sedation dentistry procedure. This person must have a vested interest in your well-being. A family member or friend must remain present for the procedure and watch after you until you are alert. Any form of public transportation does not qualify.
Contact Us Today

Contact Us Today

If you experience dental anxiety, dental sedation can help you receive the dental work you need. Southfield Family Dental Center offers sedation in the Southfield and Metro Detroit area.

Call our office today to learn more about sedation dentistry and to set up a dental sedation appointment.

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About Us

At Southfield Family Dental, we provide comprehensive general, cosmetic, sedation, and pediatric dental care. As the Southeast MI leading dentist, we believe everyone deserves affordable and quality dental care.

Contact Us
(248) 569-6304 18800 West 10 Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48075
Office Hours
Monday 8:00 - 5:00
Tuesday 9:00 - 7:00
Wednesday 9:00 - 7:00
Thursday 8:00 - 5:00
Friday 8:00 - 2:00
Saturday 8:00 - 2:00
Sunday Closed
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