Lake Ridge Dental Care    
Elizabeth A. Tarpley, DDS, PC    
(703) 670-7071
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13601 Office Place, Suite 202, Woodbridge, VA 22192
   
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Patient Education


Sedation Dentistry

With sedation dentistry, a small pill is taken an hour prior to the dental appointment. A companion will accompany the patient to the office.  By the time the patient arrives at the office, he or she will be drowsy.  Then, the patient will be escorted into a comfortable room, and covered with a thick, warm blanket and placed on a monitor to watch vital signs.  After the patient is comfortable, Dr. Tarpley and the experienced clinical team at Lake Ridge Dental Care will take care of the dentistry. When treatment is completed, the companion will take the patient home to rest and sleep for a couple of hours after the appointment.

Facts about Sedation Dentistry

  1. It Really Works! You really can relax through your dental appointment.
  2. It Is Safe! You take a small pill prior to treatment, no intra-venous tubes or needles.
  3. You will have little or no memory of the experience. You won't remember any sounds or smells.
  4. You can relax for up to five to six hours after taking the pill. The time you are relaxing will vary depending on your necessary treatment.
  5. Complex dental treatments that often require six to eight appointments can be done in as little as one! All while you relax.
  6. People who have difficulty getting numb have no problem when sedated and relaxed.
  7. Sedation dentistry is a safe way to reduce the fatigue of extended dental treatment requiring long visits.

Common Questions

Will I feel any pain? No. You will feel nothing!

Will I be unconscious? No, you are in a deeply relaxed state, you are responsive.

Will I be monitored? Yes, one of our team is always with you and your vital signs are monitored during the entire visit. You are never alone.

How long will I be relaxing? Depending on your needs, from two to six hours.

Will someone need to accompany me? Yes, due to the sedative effects of the medication, you will need someone to drive you to our office and home again.

Who Is a Candidate For Sedation Dentistry?

People who have . . .
  • high fear
  • had traumatic dental experiences
  • difficulty getting numb
  • a bad gag reflex
  • very sensitive teeth
  • limited time to complete their dental care
  • complex dental problems

People who . . .
  • hate needles and shots!
  • hate the noises, smells and tastes associated with dental care
  • are afraid or embarrassed about their teeth

Click on "schedule an appointment" at the top of the window or click here to make your appointment for Sedation Dentistry today!

For your safety, our office is trained in Emergency care management in the dental office. The staff is trained and certified in CPR and use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Additionally, Dr. Tarpley and Dr. Pham have received Advanced Cardiac Life Support Training.

Additional readings on sedation dentistry:

• "Sedation takes the bite out of dentistry", an article by Angela Stewart on Sedation dentistry
SedationCare.com - Oral Sedation Dentistry "A reason to dream"





Wall Street Journal "Did I Really Have a Root Canal?"
Wall Street Journal article link