Sedation Dentistry Archives - Atlanta Dental Implants

Will My Methadone Use Affect Sedation for Dental Implants?

Posted on July 15, 2025 by AllSmiles.

I’m scheduled for dental implant surgery in mid-August. I have not told the dental implant surgeon that I am on methadone. I mentioned that I used to take Suboxone, and they got really anxious. So, I’ve hesitated to tell them about the methadone because they will probably cancel my surgery. I am afraid not to tell them about the methadone, though, because I know they need to sedate me. Can I make it through surgery without them knowing that I use methadone? – Thanks. Karlos from Chicago

Karlos,

A dental implant with components labeled - crown, abutment, implant screw

Tell your dentist and periodontist about all your medications and any substance us before dental implant surgery

You must inform your surgeon about your methadone use, including your current dose and frequency. For your safety and to ensure you receive adequate sedation during your procedure, your surgical team needs to adjust its medication plan. This adjustment considers not only the amount of methadone in your system at the time of surgery but also how long-term opioid use can affect your body’s chemistry.

Please don’t worry that disclosing this information might cause them to refuse your treatment. Adjusting a sedation regimen to account for other medications isn’t particularly difficult for experienced professionals. If your surgical team seems unwilling to customize their approach for you or dismisses your concerns as unimportant, consider that a significant red flag. Your well-being is paramount, and you deserve a team that prioritizes it.

How to Find a Dental Implant Specialist

You should feel confident that your dental team genuinely cares about your needs. When looking for a new provider, consider starting with a general dentist rather than immediately seeking an oral surgeon or a periodontist (a dental implant specialist). Even when a specialist performs the implant placement, the overall implant case planning is typically overseen by a general dentist. A dentist with extensive training in cosmetic dentistry and dental implant restoration will collaborate by referring you to a surgeon or periodontist for implant placement, while they handle the restorative phase. The key is to find a professional with the correct credentials and expertise to ensure your care is comprehensive and tailored to your needs.

Dr. David Pumphrey, an Atlanta periodontist, sponsors this post.

Something Went Wrong After Dental Sedation

Posted on June 13, 2018 by writeradmin.

I have several dental surgeries and strive to take care of my teeth exceptionally. Recently, I transferred to a new office, which means a new city and a new dentist. I needed another dental surgery. I wasn’t too worried about it because I’ve “been there done that”, yet somehow this time something went wrong. When I got home, my heart started racing, it was hard to breathe, I began to sweat, and I became so nauseated I couldn’t even stand. I worried I was having a heart attack. I tried to get to my phone but couldn’t. Instead, I just had to lie on the floor until it passed. Do you have an idea why this time was different?

Camron

Dear Camron,

If you’ve had sedation before and nothing’s gone wrong, then it’s possible your new dentist uses a different medication. An easy way to figure this out is to call your old dentist and ask him what form of dental sedation he used. Then, call your new dentist and ask the same thing. If it’s different then that’s likely your issue. If the medication is the same, then some further investigation is needed.

I have to tell you I’m a little concerned you were on your own after your procedure. The dentist should never have let you leave the office without someone to assist you. It’s very dangerous to be on your own. What if you did end up having a heart attack? It’s very likely you would have died.

Another thing to consider is the dosage. Too high of a dose and it’s possible you could stop breathing altogether. It’s important you let the office know of the reaction you had so they can figure out what happened and adjust your treatment as required.

Heart racing and trouble breathing are both reasons to call 911. Never wait until either of those just pass. It’s dangerous.

This blog is brought to you by Pumphrey Periodontics.

The Three Levels of Sedation Dentistry

Posted on January 28, 2018 by AllSmiles.

My mother is in her late 60s and is very fearful of the dentist, but she has some work she absolutely needs to have done soon. Her dentist told her that provides three levels of sedation dentistry and that she doesn’t need to fear or worry. I’m trying to help her understand exactly what she can expect, but I don’t know enough to really give a clear explanation. Can you explain what those three levels entail and what she can expect?

Craig, Atlanta

Hi Craig,

Sedation dentistry is a great way to help people overcome their anxiety, so they can receive the dental care they need. If your mother has ever had a traumatic experience at the dentist, or if she is one of the people who have a hard time getting numb with novocaine, sedation can probably help. Let’s take a look at the three levels of sedation your dentist talked about.

Sedation Level I: Nitrous Oxide

You have probably heard of the phrase “laughing gas,” but you may not know that it refers to nitrous oxide. This is a sedative gas that is breathed in through your nose while the dentist is working on your teeth. You can see an example of this nose mask in the image above: it covers just the nose, leaving the mouth free for the procedure. The gas produces a mildly euphoric state that can help you relax completely while remaining awake and aware. And for many patients who have a harder time getting completely numb, it can increase the effectiveness of novocaine, making dental care a much less frightening experience. And once the procedure is done and the nitrous oxide stops flowing, your mom will be ready to go about her daily life activities, including driving, because there are no after-effects of the gas.

Sedation Level II: Oral Sedation

There are people for whom nitrous doesn’t work, so the second level of sedation is offered. This is called oral sedation. If your mom is really scared, her dentist can give her a pill to take about a half hour before her appointment. This will require that she has someone to drive her to and from her office visit because she will be in too relaxed a state to drive. This pill will help reduce anxiety and produce a deeper feeling of relaxation. Again, even though the patient will feel very calm, she will be completely awake and aware of what is going on, but may not remember the procedure afterward.

Sedation Level III: IV Sedation

Finally, for people who experience a sense of extreme anxiety or fear, intravenous or IV sedation is available. This kind of sedative will place the patient in a very dreamy state, in which she won’t really care about what is taking place around her. While she will be awake enough to respond to requests from the dentist, she will likely not remember the procedure at all afterward. And this level will again require that someone drive her to and from her appointment because the effects can last for a while.

Whatever level of sedation your mom eventually chooses, you can help her understand that she is not likely to have another traumatic experience. Perhaps she can look forward to a lifetime of great dental care from here on.

Good luck to you and your mom in finding the dental health to improve your life.

This Blog is brought to you by Dr. David Pumphrey of Pumphrey Periodontics in Atlanta, Georgia.

Can sedation dentistry help me with my dental fear?

Posted on November 14, 2017 by AllSmiles.

I am afraid to go to the dentist, and I’m wondering if sedation dentistry might help me. When I was about ten years old, I had to have oral surgery. It was a pretty traumatic experience because the dentist started operating before I was numb, and when I reacted to the pain, he just said, “What’s wrong?” When I told him he was hurting me, he basically told me I was imagining things. Ever since then, I have been really afraid. Even thinking about it makes me queasy. But I’ve made a resolution that this year I will find a way to get my dental health back. I’ve heard that sedation can really help people like me. Do you think it would be enough?

Jennifer, Florida

Hi Jennifer,

Good for you for reaching out. It takes a lot of courage, as you said, to overcome dental fear enough to even ask about sedation dentistry. But your resolution is going to go a long way to helping you overcome your fear. Once you’ve decided that you no longer have to live with the consequences of someone else’s mistake and are willing to reach out for help, you’re more than half way there.

Overview of Sedation Dentistry

To answer your question in a word, yes. Sedation dentistry and a calm, gentle, and understanding dentist can help, and both are probably equally important. Some people, and you sound like you may be one of them, simply don’t get completely numb with novocaine alone. And the important thing to understand about that is that sometimes sedation can change that. Many patients who don’t get numb with novocaine alone have no trouble if they have nitrous oxide or oral sedation, and for patients whose fear is extreme, IV sedation can remove all anxiety along with any memory of the procedure. So let’s take a look at these three types of sedation.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is a sedative that is breathed in along with oxygen through your nose. It’s often been called “laughing gas” because it produces a very nice relaxed state that can ease any anxiety and help novocaine work more effectively. The great thing about novocaine is that once you stop breathing it, the effects are gone immediately, so you can drive and return to work or other activities quickly.

Oral Sedation

If nitrous oxide doesn’t work well enough for you, oral sedation might. Oral sedation is a pill that you will take about a half hour before your procedure. This is usually a common medication that will give you a deeper sense of relaxation and ease. Many people experience it as a feeling of not caring about anything, and with this type of sedation, you may or may not even remember your time in the dentist’s chair. You will, however, need someone to drive you home afterwards, because you will be too relaxed drive safely.

IV Sedation

IV sedation causes a more profoundly relaxed state, almost like sleep. You will be awake and aware enough to respond to requests to open your mouth, etc., but you will likely not remember anything about the procedure. Again, with this type of sedation, you will need someone to drive you home after your appointment.

Many dentists offer a complimentary consultation for patients who are fearful or who are looking for more extensive work. It’s a great idea to take advantage of this opportunity to speak with a dentist before you decide to have a complete exam. If the dentist is a sedation dentist, it is much more likely that he or she will understand what you need to overcome your fear and begin to enjoy the benefits of regular dental care.

Best of luck to you in finding the right dentist to help you.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. David Pumphrey of Pumphrey Periodontics in Atlanta.