Sedation Dentistry
Wake Up to a New Smile With Sedation Dentistry in La Mesa!
No matter the level of fear or anxiety you may feel when you think about going to the dentist, Dr. Gray and Dr. Hurtado can help you have a pleasant dental experience.
Dr. Gray and Dr. Hurtado have received extensive special training to become top sedation dentists and are among the leaders in the US in using dental sedation. Patients come from all over Southern California to Espire Dental in La Mesa to be treated by Dr. Gray and Dr. Hurtado using this comfortable, safe, and effective system.
We are happy to provide additional information to help you feel at ease as you consider sedation dentistry.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is a wonderful way to help people who have a fear of the dentist receive the dental care they need. The patient will take a prescribed pill orally before coming to the dentist’s office and will then be relaxed and comfortable during the entire dental visit. A qualified sedation dentist like Dr. Gray will then be able to perform needed dental care. The patient can still respond to the sedation dentist but will not feel any pain, remembering little or nothing of the experience. The patient feels similar to the feeling of being asleep, which is why so many people refer to sedation dentistry as “sleep dentistry.”
The medicine that Dr. Gray or Dr. Hurtado prescribe is called Triazolam. It is a small blue pill taken about 1 hour before your visit. This tablet has been prescribed over 10 million times per year, by physicians, for patients to use at home. This dental sedation drug has almost no side effects or interactions with other medicines you may currently be taking. A qualified sedation dentist like Dr. Gray or Dr. Hurtado will also constantly monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels during your appointment.
What Are the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry allows you to comfortably undergo every procedure, from a simple cleaning to extensive treatment. For those with severe dental anxiety, dental sedation can be the answer to receiving the dental care you need. One of the additional benefits of dental sedation is that the medicine has an amnesia quality, which, for most patients, tends to prevent almost any memory of the visit. It is sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry” because of this and its other pleasant effects.
- Dental sedation enhances the effectiveness of anesthetic.
- Gagging is decreased during “sleep dentistry.”
- The patient does not feel as much joint and muscle soreness after dental sedation.
- Sedation dentistry allows more treatments to be provided in a shorter time, which could decrease the total number of visits.
- Patients remember little or nothing regarding the procedures performed by the sedation dentist.
- Amazingly, sedation dentistry can also reduce or eliminate the pain associated with dental procedures.
FREE Sedation & Cozy Blanket
Your comfort is our priority. Experience a relaxing dental visit with our free sedation service, designed to ease any anxiety or discomfort. Wrap yourself in a cozy blanket and let us take care of the rest, ensuring a soothing and stress-free experience from start to finish.
*ADA D9248, ask office for details. Additional charges may be incurred for related services which may be required in individual cases. The dentists and hygienists are employees or independent contractors of Espire Dental Holdings, LLC and Espire Dental Management, LLC
How Does Dental Sedation Work?
Understandably, many who first learn of dental sedation have questions about the safety of the procedure as well as the actual technical details of how dental sedation works.
At Espire Dental in La Mesa, we offer several methods of sedation dentistry, including oral conscious sedation and IV sedation. Both options have an outstanding record of success and safety.
Dr. Gray has successfully administered sedation dentistry for over 5,000 cases in the La Mesa/ San Diego community. That should give you a little comfort when considering dental sedation.
Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry
Oral conscious sedation has been employed for years and has a great track record of success. This dental sedation option can be administered in pill form or under the tongue for rapid absorption. Patients love oral conscious sedation dentistry because it is fast-acting, comfortable, and effective.
It truly is remarkable that dental technological advances, including dental sedation, have brought us to the point where even those with severe dental phobia can get the high-quality dental treatments they need to achieve and maintain optimal oral health.
With our New Patient Special we offer Oral sedation at no additional charge (some limitations apply).
IV Sedation Dentistry
We also offer IV sedation with a Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologist for those patients who want to be totally out or have medical conditions that would require this for their health or safety. The IV sedation does have a fee that would be discussed prior to a visit. Dr Gray and Dr Hurtado are happy to help the patient decide which might be the best choice for them based on their specific situation.
Sedation Dentistry for Patients with Special Needs
At Espire Dental – Jeff Gray, DDS, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive oral care tailored to individuals with physical, developmental, or cognitive challenges. This specialized approach recognizes that patients with special needs may experience heightened anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or difficulties with communication, which can make traditional dental visits challenging. To address these concerns, sedation dentistry plays a crucial role in creating a comfortable and stress-free environment. By incorporating sedation options, special needs dentistry ensures that patients can receive the necessary care without the overwhelming feelings often associated with dental procedures.
In special needs dentistry, sedation is not just about comfort; it's about accessibility and safety. Sedation dentistry allows our La Mesa dentists to perform even the most complex treatments with ease, ensuring that all patients, regardless of their individual challenges, have access to high-quality dental care. This approach not only enhances the patient’s experience but also provides reassurance to caregivers, knowing that their loved one is being treated with the utmost care and consideration. Through the integration of sedation techniques, our special needs dentistry makes it possible for every patient to maintain oral health in a supportive and understanding environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dental Sedation Right For Me?
Dental sedation is a phenomenal option for many people and has its place and purpose. Though we have had great success with dental sedation and a proven track record of safety, dental sedation is not for everyone. We usually offer dental sedation to two main groups of people in the San Diego vicinity.
Dental Anxiety
Many people have a deep fear of the dentist and have struggled with it for years. These people often have neglected smiles because they have put off going to the dentist due to fear of pain or the “normal” dental treatment.
Many of our older dental sedation patients had traumatic dental experiences in their earlier years before modern dental technology brought speed and comfort in dental treatments up to where it is today. Horror stories of terrible root canals, extractions, drillings, etc. haunt people and cause a deep fear of the dentist.
This fear has often followed them into their later years and prevents them from regularly seeing the dentist for needed dental work. As a result, patients procrastinate getting needed hygiene and maintenance, leading to larger and more expensive treatments down the road.
Younger people experience dental anxiety as well. Whether it’s fear of needles, feeling trapped, not trusting a previous dentist, etc. dental sedation can help remove the fear of the dentist, so you can get the dental care you need at our La Mesa dentist office.
If you fit in either category, dental sedation may be just the solution you need. Imagine actually feeling relaxed at the dentist. Even if you have the most acute dental anxiety, dental sedation can help you. You may just be amazed at how effective it is.
Why Busy People Like the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Yes, we have a few busy people in San Diego. We often have new patients that just don’t have the time to receive more extensive dental treatment spread out over a lengthy period. For those in this category, sedation dentistry enables you to receive needed extensive dental treatment all in one visit.
The ability to perform multiple dental procedures at once helps our busy patients save time and frustration as we improve their dental health. This is just one more remarkable thing that sedation dentistry can do for our patients!
A member from our team will get back to you as soon as we can.
Bill's Story
"I’ve never been happier, or smiled bigger, in my entire life!"
Meet Bill, who battled severe dental anxiety throughout their life, making every dentist visit a daunting challenge. That was until they met Dr. Gray and his compassionate team. Bill describes Dr. Gray’s office as the most calming environment they have ever encountered in a dental setting. Thanks to the gentle and thoughtful care provided, Bill recently underwent a comprehensive smile makeover that transformed more than just his oral health—it changed his life. For the first time ever, Bill can't stop smiling and feels an overwhelming sense of happiness and confidence. This transformative experience with Dr. Gray has not only restored Alex’s smile but also vanquished their dental fears for good. Join us to discover how Bill turned a lifelong fear into a story of triumph and joy.
Before & After:
