Dr. Sid Solomon Explains Sleep Dentistry

Article Submitted by Dr. Sid Solomon DDS

My practice is devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of my patients’ smiles using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures that will result in beautiful, long-lasting results! For those patients who have any hesitation or anxiety at all with regard to receiving dental treatment, I suggest sleep dentistry. I have received extensive training and am licensed by the State of California under the California Dental Practice Act to administer Adult Oral Conscious Sedation.

The benefits of Sedation Dentistry are:

• Allows patients to tolerate unpleasant dental procedures
• Helps to relieve anxiety
• Helps to relieve pain
• Helps to relieve discomfort
• Facilitates the procedure
• Helps the patient remain still during the procedure
• Ensures patient safety

Oral Conscious Sedation is a minimally depressed level of consciousness produced by oral medications that retain the patient’s ability to independently maintain an open airway.

Throughout time, doctors have used sedation as a means to providing medical and dental care to patients who could otherwise not go through those procedures. Even in the beginning of Genesis is says “the Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam…and he took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh…as he slept.” We use sleep dentistry to allow nervous or sensitive patients to literally sleep through the entire dental visit.

In case you are wondering if sedation dentistry is safe, the answer is YES! Dentists who become certified to provide oral sedation receive specialized training in administering the customized oral sedation elements that allow each individual patient to safely and effectively sleep through the dental procedure. We are trained to monitor oxygenation, ventilation, circulation, and the temperature of the patient during the procedure to ensure patient safety. We study and abide by the strict guidelines provided by the American Society of Anesthesiology: Practice Guidelines for Sedation and Analgesia by Non- Anesthesiologists.

Infection control is also very important in my practice. To protect our patients and ourselves, we strictly maintain sterilization and cross-contamination processes using standards recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Finally, in case sedation dentistry is not for you, here are a few other options for the anxious patient:
• Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Inhalation
• Protective Stabilization
• Mild Sedation
• Moderate Sedation
• Deep Sedation
• General Anesthesia

Sid Solomon DDS has been creating beautiful smiles for 27 years. From his state of the art practice in Los Angeles, California, he is able to provide multiple cosmetic restorations in only one visit. His office is located at 1620 Westwood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024 and he sees patients every day of the week.