Sedation Dentistry - Comfortable, Anxiety-Free Dental Care
Dental anxiety keeps many people away from care they know they need, and the longer a visit is put off, the harder it can feel to schedule. Sedation dentistry helps you relax so that checkups, fillings, and more involved restorative or cosmetic treatment can be completed calmly and comfortably. Dr. Marilyn Gaylor personally examines, diagnoses, and treats every sedation patient in her Atlanta practice, and IV sedation is administered and monitored by an anesthesiologist so that she can focus entirely on your dental care.
Before any sedation is recommended, Dr. Gaylor reviews your medical history, current medications, and treatment needs to decide whether sedation is appropriate and which type fits your situation. A 1984 graduate of the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry, she holds Accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, is a Fellow of the Georgia Dental Association, and has completed advanced restorative training at the LD Pankey Institute and The Dawson Academy. That background matters for sedation patients, since longer appointments are often used to complete several treatments in fewer visits.
Vickie W.Awesome experience ,caring an explanation of care I have never had, made it easy to get a most valuable service I love her .Thanks
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses medication to reduce anxiety and help you relax during treatment. It is used together with local anesthetic, which numbs the area being treated. Sedation addresses the fear and tension, while local anesthetic addresses discomfort. Many patients remember little of the appointment afterward.
Sedation can be used for routine cleanings and exams, fillings and crowns, cosmetic treatment such as veneers, and longer restorative appointments, including full mouth rehabilitation.
Oral Sedation in Atlanta
Oral sedation involves taking a prescribed medication about an hour before your appointment. Most patients feel deeply relaxed while still being able to respond and follow simple instructions. Dr. Gaylor prescribes oral sedation only after reviewing your health history and medications. Because the effects last for several hours, a responsible adult must drive you to and from your appointment and stay with you afterward.
IV Sedation Administered by an Anesthesiologist
IV sedation delivers medication through a small intravenous line and takes effect quickly. It is administered by an anesthesiologist, who determines the appropriate level of sedation, adjusts it as needed during the appointment, and monitors your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels throughout. This allows Dr. Gaylor to concentrate on your dental treatment while a physician trained in anesthesia manages your sedation.
IV sedation is often recommended for patients with severe anxiety, a strong gag reflex, a history of difficult dental experiences, or treatment plans that combine several procedures into one longer visit. The anesthesiologist will review your health history before the appointment and give you specific instructions about eating, drinking, and medications.
Who May Benefit From Sedation Dentistry?
- Patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety or fear
- Patients who have avoided dental care for years
- Patients with a strong gag reflex or difficulty getting numb
- Patients who find it hard to sit still for long periods
- Patients who prefer to complete several treatments in fewer, longer visits
Sedation is not right for everyone. Certain medical conditions, medications, and pregnancy can affect whether sedation is appropriate, which is why a careful health review comes first.
Clinically reviewed by Marilyn Gaylor, DDS, AACD Accredited Dentist
Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry in Atlanta
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IV sedation is administered and monitored by an anesthesiologist. Dr. Gaylor performs your dental treatment while the anesthesiologist manages your sedation and monitors your vital signs throughout the appointment.
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With oral sedation, most patients remain awake and able to respond, though very relaxed. With IV sedation, the anesthesiologist explains the planned level of sedation before your appointment, and many patients have little memory of the procedure.
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Like any medication, sedation carries some risk. Careful review of your health history, appropriate selection of sedation type, and continuous monitoring by the anesthesiologist during IV sedation are all used to reduce that risk.
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Local anesthetic numbs the treatment area, and sedation helps you stay relaxed. Most patients report little or no discomfort during the procedure, and some tenderness afterward is normal depending on the treatment.
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Yes. Sedation can help patients who find even routine checkups and cleanings difficult get back on track with preventive care.
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Coverage varies by plan, and some plans cover sedation only when it is considered medically necessary. Dr. Gaylor’s team can review your benefits and the anesthesiologist’s fees with you before treatment.
Why Choose Dr. Gaylor for Sedation Dentistry
- Laser Options: The Fotona LightWalker laser may reduce the need for drilling or anesthetic in selected procedures.
- Anesthesiologist-Administered IV Sedation: A physician trained in anesthesia manages and monitors your IV sedation from start to finish.
- Careful Health Review: Your medical history and medications are reviewed before any sedation is recommended.
- One Dentist Throughout: Dr. Gaylor personally examines, diagnoses, and treats every patient.
- Fewer Visits When Appropriate: Several treatments can often be completed in one longer, comfortable appointment.
- No Judgment: Patients who have been away from the dentist for years are welcomed without pressure.
Learn More About Sedation Dentistry in Atlanta
If anxiety has kept you from the dentist, Dr. Gaylor welcomes patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Vinings, and Sandy Springs to her office at 3280 Howell Mill Road NW, Suite 335. To talk through your sedation options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Gaylor.
