Modern dentistry has become much more comfortable with improvements in technology, techniques, and materials. However, there are still patients who avoid the dentist due to fear and anxiety. Sedation dentistry is a wonderful option for these fearful patients, as sedation dentistry allows for a pain-free and anxiety-free dental appointment.
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during their dental appointments. It can be an oral medication or an intravenous (IV) medication. Sedation dentistry is sometimes called “sleep dentistry”, however, patients are not actually put to sleep like with general anesthesia. Patients who have oral or IV sedation are still conscious, but might not remember much of the appointment due to the help of the sedation medications.
Oral sedation includes taking an oral medication that puts a patient into a state of relaxation.  IV sedation in our office is provided by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) who safely administers the medications using an IV placed in a vein. In addition to oral and IV sedation, we also offer nitrous oxide sedation, or “laughing gas,” which is a minimal sedation option.
For many years, our office has been treating Dubuque area patients with sedation dentistry in order to calm their anxiety during a dental appointment. Patients who otherwise were too anxious to have dental treatment completed, are able to restore their oral health while comfortably sedated. Many procedures can be completed in one visit, which saves a patient time and visits to the dentist.
Dr. Kristen Berning and Dr. Alexia Oetken have also completed sedation dentistry training, have their moderate sedation permits, and have been providing sedation dental treatment. Drs. Berning and Oetken completed their training with the American Society for the Advancement of Anesthesia and Sedation in Dentistry (ASAASD).
Patients have very positive reviews of their experiences in our office with sedation dentistry, and they appreciate how it has allowed them to return their mouth to a healthy condition.
If you have questions about sedation dentistry, you can contact us here.
Dubuque Dentists Dr. Kristen Berning and Dr. Alexia Oetken
with Dr. Hillel Ephros, DMD, MD
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Exceptional Dentistry provides family, cosmetic, tooth whitening, implant, and sedation dental care at 4200 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA 52002 and serves the Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Dyersville, Dubuque, IA and Galena, IL, Prairie du Chein, WI and Platteville, WI areas.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ted Murray or Dr. Kristen Berning, or Dr. Alexia Oetken please call us at 563-556-2711 or contact us online.