Sedation Dentistry

Intravenous Sedation (“Twilight Sedation”)

Our office offers our patients the option of Intravenous Sedation, also referred to as dental intravenous anesthesia, or “Twilight Sedation,” for their dental treatment.  As a board-certified oral surgeon, Dr. Olawoye has undergone extensive training to deliver this to our patients in the comfort of our office. Our office is credentialled every six years by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons to ensure our office meets the stringent standards set by this respected body.

Intravenous Sedation or “twilight sleep” helps you to be comfortable and calm when undergoing dental procedures. Your treatment can be completed for you under intravenous sedation if you so desire. Intravenous sedation or “IV sedation” (twilight sedation) is designed to better enable you to undergo your dental procedures while you are very relaxed.   IV sedation will essentially help alleviate the anxiety associated with your treatment.

If you choose the option of intravenous sedation your IV sedation/anesthesia is administered and monitored by Dr. Olawoye, therefore eliminating the costly expense of having your treatment carried out in an operating room or same-day surgical facility.

How is the IV Sedation Administered?

A thin needle will be introduced into a vein in your arm or hand. The needle will be attached to an intravenous tube through which medication will be given to help you relax and feel comfortable. Patients with some medical conditions may require additional specialty consultation prior to sedation.

The goal of IV sedation is to use as little medication as possible to get the treatment completed. With IV sedation, a constant “drip” is maintained via the intravenous tube. At any time, an antidote can be administered to reverse the effects of the medications if necessary. IV sedation is very safe!

Along with IV sedation, there are also different “levels” of sedation available to you in our office. There is nitrous oxide analgesia – basically, we can tailor the anesthesia to your need or desire. Once again, all modalities are administered and monitored by Dr. Olawoye in the safety and comfort of our office environment.

Sedation for the pediatric patient

Young children with dental pain and/or infection require treatment at any age. Sometimes that means your child will need to go under general anesthesia or sedation. Of course, there are many reasons for this. Some dental procedures require your child to lie completely still, or the noise of the drill/instruments may be scary. The goal is always to provide the safest, most pain-free treatment. Dr. Olawoye treats children ages 2 and up.  He does so in the comfort of our office.  Dr. Olawoye uses inhalation sedation for the pediatric population.   This needleless technique dramatically decreases the fear of such young patients.  You will have a consultation with Dr. Olawoye and he can explain the procedures and anesthesia to you.  We take great care in treating the younger population and save the added cost of needing the hospital setting.  We work with many pediatric dentists in the community.  Your child’s pediatric dentist may be one of them.

Sedation Dentistry for special needs, and mentally challenged patient

It may be especially difficult for people with special needs to obtain access to proper dental care. They must find a dental provider who is skilled and compassionate, and who can provide services for which some dental providers may not be qualified. At Hunterdon Oral Surgery, we provide the expertise, state-of-the-art-equipment, and dedication to assisting special-needs patients necessary to ensuring great oral care for our patients.

Special needs patients may face added challenges in maintaining their oral health. Their disability may make it difficult to brush or floss regularly; they may also suffer a severe gag reflex, or dry mouth as a result of medication. Dr. Olawoye meets these challenges with sedation dentistry.  Dr. Olawoye is skilled in anesthesia for special-needs patients and can ease the fear associated with dental procedures or dental surgery.

Sedation Dentistry for the Fearful

Dental phobia is a real, often overwhelming reality for thousands of people. Negative previous dental experiences, fear of needles or drills, and severe gag reflexes are just some of the reasons people feel extreme anxiety when thinking about dental procedures.

If you suffer from dental phobia- fear no more! At Hunterdon Oral Surgery, we are committed to understanding the very real nature of your fears. Not only will our team of highly trained dental professionals treat you with delicacy and care, but IV sedation will allow you to experience oral surgery procedures in a whole new way. While engaging in a pleasant sleep-like experience, Dr. Olawoye will be hard at work making sure you “wake up” comfortable with the care you deserve.