Sedation Dentistry in Victoria
Sedation Dentistry Near You
Dr. Pite acquired his certification to do IV moderate conscious sedation through a General Practice Residency (GPR) at Vancouver General Hospital, BC Cancer Agency and the University of British Columbia.
He was required to take the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) course taken by cardiologists, emergency room physicians & ICU Physicians and nurses. He must recertify this course every 2 years, along with the typical health care worker CPR course.
Dr. Pite has provided well over 1000 IV sedations throughout the years and has helped many patients to get through dental appointments that they could never handle otherwise, and our team has also for patients already comfortable in our care to make the time in the chair pass by with a breeze with lengthier appointments and surgeries.
As a trusted dentist in Victoria, Dr. Pite prioritizes safety and comfort for every patient. In order to maintain our clinic as a sedation facility, we must pass inspection and ongoing audit of our equipment and protocols. Our Certified Dental Assistants must be trained in a course in dental anesthesia (CDAAC) for us to provide sedation care.
Patients are monitored throughout procedures for their vital signs of heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG), pulse oximetry, blood pressure, capnography and level of consciousness. Reversal agents are available for further safety, along with a host of medications to handle any medical emergencies that may arise in or around the clinic.
We undertake formalized drills with our staff to simulate emergency measures and procedures in the clinic at least four times per year.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
As the name suggests, intravenous (IV) sedation is administered intravenously, producing an almost immediate feeling of pronounced relaxation. Dr. Pite has received hospital training in IV sedation, and he has been administering it to patients for more than eight years.
IV sedation delivers the most predictable results and helps you achieve a state of twilight sleep.
In other words, you are deeply relaxed, but not quite asleep. After treatment, patients rarely have any memory of their experience. You should plan to have a friend or loved one drive you home following treatment.
Benefits of IV Sedation
- Completing full mouth treatment in one appointment
- Dental treatments without fear/anxiety
- Controlling your gag reflex
- Great for people struggling to sit still or people who cannot tolerate sitting for long periods of time.
Oral Sedation
Patients who receive oral sedation dentistry in Victoria are provided with a small pill an hour before their scheduled appointment. The medication triggers a feeling of immense relaxation, and some patients end up feeling quite drowsy and falling asleep before their treatment ends.
The dose that’s administered depends on your preferences, weight, and size. Therefore, we recommend having someone bring you to the clinic and take you home afterward.
Benefits of Oral Sedation
- Simple to administer
- A safe process
- A non-invasive method
- Patients have little recollection of the appointment, which helps those dealing with anxiety
Nitrous Oxide
Benefits of Nitrous Oxide
- Fast-acting and short-acting
- No needles are required
- You’ll stay awake during the treatment so you can answer questions if needed
- Reduces anxiety for patients of all ages
