Why are people put to sleep for their dental treatment?
People are put to sleep for their dentistry to solve special concerns. For those who are very anxious or fearful, the patient will not be awake during the procedures, thus allowing them to relax and follow through with needed treatment.
For people who need extensive work, being asleep allows us to perform more procedures with our in-house General Dentists and Specialists in as little as one visit. People who have special needs may be unable to cooperate with requirements to remain still for long periods of time, or may have other problems with dental procedures.
What types of anesthesia are available?
We provide different levels of anesthesia, all in our office: General Anesthesia, Twilight Sleep and/or Nitrous Oxide sedation. What medications do you use? We routinely use a combination of medications, usually a long acting tranquilizer plus narcotics administered intravenously, plus Nitrous Oxide gas and Oxygen to supplement the intravenous drugs.
What is the difference between General Anesthesia and Twilight Sleep?
As we give more medication, the patient goes through different states of relaxation. The patient can choose to only have nitrous oxide (commonly called laughing gas) for a very relaxed state. However, the patient is still awake and aware of his surroundings. As we give medications, the patient becomes more relaxed where he may think he is sleeping (Twilight Sleep) but actually does not remember being awake. As we give more medication, the patient gently slips into a state of general anesthesia where he is completely asleep and totally unaware of his surroundings.
Will any dentistry be done on my first visit?
No, on your first visit the doctor will want to focus on getting to know you, consult with you about any concerns, fears or problems, give you a full dental examination, and create a dental treatment plan. How long will the visit take? This first visit usually takes about 1(one) hour.
If I need a lot of work, how many appointments will I need?
Depending upon your particular situation, your dental needs can be treated in as little as one visit. We will discuss this with you in preparing your dental treatment plan. If you need a lot of work done, our team of General Dentists and Specialists provide care for patients who need restorations, cosmetic dentistry, root canal therapy, orthodontic treatment, periodontal surgery, oral surgery and dental implants all in our office.
If I receive General Anesthesia, how long will it be before I can resume normal activities?
Usually we give a long acting tranquilizer during treatment so the patient will sleep comfortably after they leave the office. You should rest and relax the first day after treatment; and most people return to normal activities on the second day after treatment.
What is the cost of treatment?
There is a fee for the anesthesia depending upon the number of hours of treatment in addition to the fees for the dentistry needed. It is costly for the dentist to have all the required facilities and licensing, but generally is less than it would be for a hospital visit to accomplish the same results.
Does anyone else besides your group do this kind of treatment on a regular basis?
Very few practices in the United States routinely provide full mouth rehabilitation under General Anesthesia. Some practices who perform sleep dentistry either do so in the hospital, or perform only Twilight Sleep treatment, and/or do not have the fully licensed facilities and staff to provide the wide range of services which we provide through both General Dentists and Specialists in our office.
Is the Doctor an Anesthesiologist or just a Dentist?
Both Dr. Leff and Dr. Weiss have completed Medical Hospital Anesthesiology Residencies. This is the same training which Medical Doctor Anesthesiologists receive. Most General dentists do not have this training and are only permitted to administer conscious sedation, or Twilight Sleep.
Emergencies:
A doctor is always on call. If you need to contact a doctor outside of business hours, call our office -- (954) 424-6500
If you need a lot of work done, our team of General Dentists and Specialists provide care for patients who need restorations, cosmetic dentistry, periodontal surgery, oral surgery and dental implants all in our office. Depending upon your particular situation, your dental needs can be treated in as little as one visit.
Insurance:
We DO accept Dental Insurance. However, some Preferred Provider plans (PPOs) require patients to choose from a specific list of dentists. Each insurance company establishes its own criteria for how much to pay for specific procedures. All insurance carriers are different, and we are unable to account for variables such as the wide diversity of payments. For answers to your specific questions regarding insurance, please feel free to contact our office with our request form, email us, or call us at:
(954) 424-6500
Office Hours:
Monday through Thursday |
8am - 5pm |
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| Friday and Saturday |
8am - 1pm |
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Payment Methods:
We accept checks; cash; and VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
Any exceptions to normal payment arrangements, must be discussed and approved by your Dentist.
Normal office visits require payment after your procedure.
- For Patients who are to receive Anesthesia:
At the time your appointment is made, you will be asked to pay a deposit to reserve your appointment time. The balance of the treatment fee is to be paid the day of the Anesthesia appointment, unless other arrangements have been agree to.
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72 hours notice is required to change or cancel your appointment. If this notice is not given, your deposit will be forfeited.
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