Sedation Dentistry

Sedation Dentistry


What will you dream?

Dr. Weyman and the team at Clarkson Dental use IV Sedation, or Conscious Sedation, to help people with anxiety, fear, or medical issues, have a positive, relaxing dental experience and receive the dental care they need.  

We have helped thousands of patients with IV Sedation. We can help you. Contact us using the form below, or email us directly: clarksondental@mydentalmail.com

Sit back, relax, and dream.


IV & Conscious Sedation

Conscious Sedation is defined as a minimally depressed level of consciousness that retains the patient's ability to independently and continuously maintain an airway and respond appropriately to physical stimulation and verbal command, and that is produced by pharmacological or non-pharmacologic method or a combination thereof.

Sedation Dentistry, sometimes called Relaxation Dentistry, refers to the way dentist's manage pain and anxiety during dental appointments.

Unlike General Anesthesia where a patient is completely unconscious, asleep, and unable to respond, patients under Conscious Sedation are able to respond to commands and breathe on their own. 

We offer sedation dentistry to patients in the Denver and Highlands Ranch areas.

3 Primary Sedation Techniques

There are 3 common Sedation techniques used in a Dental Office. Dr. Weyman and his staff have advanced training in IV sedation and use it daily for any procedure performed in their office.

IV Sedation - Our recommendation for high fear/complicated patients.
IV Sedation, also known as Moderate/Conscious Sedation, is used by select Dentists with specialized training and certification. With this type of sedation, medications are administered directly into the blood stream. The greatest advantage of IV Sedation is that if someone is not sedated enough, the doctor can administer more medication. IV Sedation is not used commonly in dental offices because of the specialized, advanced training and certification required by the State Board of Dentistry. The medications used for IV Sedation are more effective than the same medications taken orally. There is a more profound amnesia associated with this technique. 

Dr. Weyman and his staff have significant advanced training in IV Sedation. Dr. Weyman has taught hundreds of dentists IV Sedation at some of the top universities in the country. 



Orally Administered Sedation
Orally Administered Sedation, which some Dentists might  call "Sedation Dentistry" (see The 12 Questions to Ask Your Sedation Dentist) , is administered by taking a pill. The patient may fall asleep. Some degree of amnesia may occur. The disadvantage with this method is that the level of sedation for each person is not predictable and frequently is not sufficient for most patients wanting sedation.  It is not enough for most high fear, anxious  and medically complicated patients.


Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation
Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation, also known as "laughing gas", is the most frequently used relaxation method in dentistry but it will not sedate you. Nitrous Oxide has been used by dentists for many years. 

IV Sedation

IV sedation dentistry has been used for years by dentists with specialized training. For people with moderate to severe fear, anxiety and medically complicated situations IV sedation is the best form of treatment for them. In our office, we can use IV sedation  for any procedure our patients need.

Advantages of IV Sedation:
  • Used for moderate and severe anxiety
  • Most appropriate for medically complicated and compromised patients
  • The safest and most controllable form of sedation 
  • Little to no memory of your treatment
  • Significant reduction in pain and discomfort during the procedure
  • Rapid onset
  • Flexible duration can be used for any appointment length
  • Dr. Weyman is quickly able to adjust the level of sedation at any time
  • Very few side effects
Disadvantages of IV Sedation:
  • Will need a ride to and from your appointment
  • Will need a companion for several hours after sedation
  • Will not be able to return to work until the following day
Medications used with IV Sedation:
  • Dr. Weyman has decades of IV sedation experience, training and teaching. During the pre-sedation appointment we will discuss which IV medications are most appropriate for your particular needs.

*Note: Dr. Weyman provides conscious/moderate sedation, NOT deep/general anesthesia. General anesthesia is available in the office if needed.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen ("laughing gas") has been the most frequently used means of Sedation in Dentistry for many years. 35% of all US dentists offer Nitrous Oxide Sedation to their patients. 

Advantages of Nitrous Oxide:
  • Can work for mild anxiety
  • Rapid onset
  • Flexible duration can be used for any appointment length
  • Absolute control to quickly adjust the level of sedation moment to moment
  • People recover quickly
  • Very few side effects
  • You can drive yourself to and from your dental appointment
  • You can return to normal activities immediately
Disadvantages of Nitrous Oxide:
  • Moderate and severe anxiety may require a deeper level of sedation
  • May not be recommended for people who have respiratory problems
  • Claustrophobic patients do not like anything covering their nose
  • There is a minimal analgesic effect
Medications used with Nitrous Oxide:
  • Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
  • Oxygen (O2) 
  • The safety features of the machine insure a patient receives no less than 30% Oxygen mixed with Nitrous Oxide, usually with 50 to 70% Oxygen

*Note: Dr. Weyman provides conscious/moderate sedation, NOT deep/general anesthesia. General anesthesia is available in the office if needed.
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