At Winterholler Dental Implants & Cosmetic Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing the highest-level dental care while keeping our patients comfortable, safe, and relaxed. Avoiding necessary dental care due to fear or anxiety can lead to untreated dental problems. Our team understands your fears and can provide all levels of sedation dentistry and/or anesthesia for the restorative, implant, and cosmetic dentistry procedures you receive at our practice. No matter your treatment, we offer the full scope of anesthesia services at both of our practice locations—not only does this allow us to better care for you, it also translates to our patients receiving treatment at a fraction of the cost of other practices.
During your consultation at our practice, your options for anesthesia and sedation will be discussed in detail, and the anesthesia for your procedure will be chosen based on the type of treatment you are having, your level of apprehension about your treatment, and any health concerns you may have. Every patient is different, so the type of anesthesia or sedation you receive may not be the same as someone else receiving a similar procedure. You can rest assured that Drs. Chris and Patrice Winterholler are trained and experienced to administer the correct form of sedation for your treatment, and we partner with esteemed local anesthesiologists who come to our offices when you are receiving more extensive surgery such as dental implant placement. For the safest anesthesia and sedation experience possible, you will be continuously monitored by your doctor and our highly trained clinical team during and after your treatment.
Types of Anesthesia
We offer the following types of in-office anesthesia and sedation:
General Sedation
Sedation is a safe, effective option that helps patients feel calm and relaxed in the dental chair. It also makes it easier for your care team to give you higher quality care. Best of all, many insurance companies cover sedation. General sedation usually leaves the patient in an unconscious or unaware state and can take the form of an inhaled gas or an injected liquid. Patients who choose moderate or deep sedation tend not to remember their procedure. There are three basic levels of sedation commonly used in dentistry, in addition to complete unconsciousness (which is primarily used in hospitals):
- Mild: You’ll feel little or no pain and be able to respond to most commands like you normally would.
- Moderate: Also known as conscious sedation—this type of sedation relieves any sensation of discomfort, but you will still be able to respond via verbal or light stimulation.
- Deep: This is known as sleep dentistry, during which you will be unconscious and unaware of any stimulation.
The sedation medication you are administered will depend on your medical history and any pre-existing conditions. As with any medication, our primary concerns are your safety, comfort, and well-being.
Local Anesthesia. Lidocaine is a type of local anesthesia that is commonly used along with other forms of anesthesia. Lidocaine/local anesthesia is applied directly to the site the procedure you are receiving to calm any sensation of pain in the area immediately.
Nitrous Oxide. Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is an inhaled gas that offers relaxation as well as mild pain-relieving effect. This type of sedation has been utilized in dentistry for many years and is most often used along with other types of anesthesia to give the patient an added sense of serenity and calm.
Office-Based Anesthesia. Office-based anesthesia puts the patient in a completely unconscious state, during which they will be unaware of the procedure taking place. Your vital signs will be closely monitored while under this type of anesthesia. We usually reserve anesthesia for more complex surgeries such as dental implant placement, but you may request anesthesia for your routine procedure if you are prone to anxiety about dental procedures. We partner with trusted local anesthesiologists who will come to our offices during your dental procedure to administer anesthesia when this type of anesthesia is a part of your treatment plan.
We provide detailed instructions for all phases of your treatment, including important details about what to do before and after receiving anesthesia and sedation.
Anesthesia Options in Scottsdale, AZ, and Payson, AZ
Winterholler Dental Implants & Cosmetic Dentistry provides dental care that will exceed your expectations, with safe in-office anesthesia and sedation options to suit every need. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you have regarding anesthesia and sedation at our practice. Drs. Chris and Patrice Winterholler and the care teams at each of our two Central Arizona practice locations look forward to providing you with superb care.
