As many as 20% of all Americans are too apprehensive of dentistry to have regular dental care. We believe that is unfortunate and not necessary.

Sedation dentistry is appropriate for patients who:

• Cannot imagine having dental work done while being aware of what is happening
• Want to have all their dentistry completed in one appointment comfortably
• Want no memory (amnesia) of the dental visit
• Have severe gagging problems
• Are embarrassed about their dental condition
• Have medical conditions requiring sedation

I.V. sedation is the most advanced sedative technique for the comprehensive control of pain and anxiety in dentistry.  Intravenous sedation produces a profound state of relaxation. Dr. Gibbs is able to carefully control the amount of sedation required and adjust the level to the individual needs of the patient. In most cases, amnesia is produced and patients will not remember the procedures performed. The intravenous sedation method represents superior pain control.

Less than 2% of general dentists in Illinois have the special training, permit, and licensing issued by the Board of Dental Examiners to perform this advanced sedative technique. Dr. Gibbs has been trained and certified in use of oral (pill) and also intravenous (IV) sedation. He is an early member of the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation and a member of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. Dr, Gibbs has successfully completed dental care and smile makeovers for hundreds of patients using these proven techniques.

Please feel open to talk to our caring and informed staff regarding this valuable option. It is now possible for you to have complete dental care done in total comfort!

Oral Sedation is one of the newest methods of anxiety control in dentistry. Taken in pill form, this sedation produces a very relaxed state for most patients. Recent developments in pharmacology have given dentistry oral drugs that produce a profound state of relaxation with a high degree of safety. This was not possible as little as ten years ago. The first pill is taken one hour before your appointment time; an additional pill is given in the office one hour before your dental treatment is started. This sedation technique is very well received by patients. Benefits of oral sedation include: more sedation is produced as compared to nitrous oxide, and most patients have no memory of the dental procedures performed.

Are you looking for anesthetic that comes close to the ideal of “painless?” Over 50% of patients fear anesthetic syringes, according to a recent national survey. Some patients get more nervous than others at the mere sight of a needle. Discomfort from a dental shot is mostly due to the feeling of pressure created by the flow of dental anesthetic. A computer controlled injection system can greatly relieve this discomfort. THE WAND® represents the first major technological advance in anesthetic delivery since the syringe was first invented nearly one hundred fifty years ago. The Wand regulates the flow rate and pressure of the anesthetic solution and delivers it more precisely than ever possible in the past. This provides quicker numbing of the teeth, often without the usual numbness of the tongue, lips and face.
We also use a greatly improved version of the old “Novocain” call Articaine. Pharmacological advances have produced anesthetics that “soak in” faster and produce a more profound numbing.
By using the Wand delivery system, better pre-numbing topical anesthetic, and an improved dental anesthetic, we can come about as to “painless” dentistry as medically possible!

Laughing gas or relaxing is another name for nitrous oxide conscious sedation. It is safe and accepted way to relax a fearful patient. Nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen is delivered to the patient through a nose piece. Dr. Gibbs in can regulate how much the patient gets and the patient can control the effect with his breathing. The patient is not asleep but relaxed and responsive.
An advantage of nitrous oxide relaxing gas is that it wears off very fast. Patients can usually drive home themselves. It can also be used to augment oral sedation, or when IV sedation is being started.

See our Dental Blog for more information on sedation and comfortable dentistry, and Advanced Technology for how we help keep you comfortable! Also check our section on Patient Feedback with comments from patients that once had your concerns!