Who is Eligible for Sedation Dentistry?

Over the years, Dr. Toal has helped many different kinds of patients receive quality dental care through sedation dentistry. She has found that this gentle method is excellent for those who are medically compromised, afraid of the dentist, or anyone else who would prefer to undergo their dental procedures while asleep.

Sedation technology has become vastly advanced; more and more people are electing to undergo general and cosmetic dentistry under sedation as a way to reduce discomfort and stress. Continue reading to find out if you or a loved one is a good candidate for sedation dentistry.

• Elective dental care
• Dental phobia
• Medically compromised
• Nursing home or hospital patients
• Physically and mentally challenged patients
• Patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Elective Dental Care

Many of the patients who come to see Dr. Toal do not have a medical need for sedation dentistry. However, they might be interested in having several procedures combined in one appointment, or simply would like to minimize any discomfort associated with their treatment.

Dr. Toal offers a number of cosmetic dentistry treatments which can be enhanced with the use of sedation dentistry, including porcelain veneers and tooth colored fillings. If you’ve already made the decision to receive one of these treatments, wouldn’t it be nice to choose your comfort level as well?

To learn more about sedation dentistry and whether it is right for you, contact the Center for Dental Rehabilitation today to schedule a consultation.

Dental Phobia

Do any of these describe you?

• Severely anxious about dentistry
• In denial of a dental problem until the pain is unbearable
• Have not received professional dental care in many years, perhaps decades
• Go from dentist to dentist, or doctors, to renew painkiller and antibiotic prescriptions for dental problems
• Often make and then cancel dental appointments
• Make numerous, lengthy phone calls to the dentist's office
• Have fidgety dental chair habits such as sweaty palms or gripping armrests
• Suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

If any of these describe you then you need our help. You will now discover the gentle and thoughtful way Dr. Toal helps patients overcome anxieties about dental care.

Nearly 145 million Americans are dental phobics, so terrified of the dentist they'd rather let their teeth rot. They don't care if you call them phobics, cowards, or big babies, they hate going to the dentist.

Dr. Maureen Toal is one of only a handful of dentists in the country who has tailored her practice to treat multiple types of people. She understands people with dental phobias come from all walks of life, and they need a little extra time and care for their treatment.

These individuals are often categorized as severely anxious and in denial of their dental problems. Sometimes they have not received professional dental care in many years; for some patients, that could mean twenty years or more. The most important part of treating these patients is to build their confidence so they can return for regular dental care.

To help the dental phobic patient, Dr. Toal uses general anesthesia or intravenous conscious sedation while she performs the necessary dental work. Beyond that, she offers compassion and understanding; she has met with patients at the elevator or in the parking lot by their vehicles if they do not yet have the courage to come into our office.

If you are one of the millions of Americans who are afraid of going to the dentist, Dr. Toal and her staff want to help you become confident about receiving dental care. We know that you want your dental problems to be corrected, so that you no longer have to experience loss of sleep and activities due to pain. Contact us today to take the first step towards overcoming your dental fears.

Elaine’s Story

Elaine is a 46-year-old homemaker. While growing up, she had bad experiences that caused severe situational anxieties about going to the dentist.

"I was scared of the dentist, the dentist's chair, the dentist's office, even the thought of going to the dentist horrified me," Elaine explained. "Those reasons were good enough for me to stay clear."

She had not received dental treatment for several years. It was an annoying toothache that got worse over time that prompted her to call Dr. Toal for an appointment.

"I didn't know that Dr. Toal's practice specialized in treating people who have severe dental anxieties," she said. "To me it was just another dentist who proclaimed providing dentistry for scaredy cats like myself."

She even made and canceled several appointments with Dr. Toal before actually going in because the pain got so bad.

"I was in so much pain I could not think straight at work, or get to sleep at night," she explained. "My whole life became a constant pain."

After meeting with Elaine by the elevator, and a second time actually in the waiting room, Dr. Toal restored enough of her confidence to sit in the chair until she was comfortable.

"At first my palms sweated profusely while I jumped around a lot in the chair, gripping the armrests," Elaine said. "Another sign of my dental phobia."

Elaine received IV Conscious Sedation, a treatment at the Center for Dental Rehabilitation which relaxes severely anxious patients. Because she hadn't received dental treatment for several years, the toothache was only the tip of the iceberg. Dr. Toal had to perform a full-mouth reconstruction.

"After the treatment I cried for the first time in 20 years," Elaine said. "It was because I was so happy to have overcome the fear and anxiety of having my teeth worked on. I felt relieved and confident that I could actually begin receiving regular dental treatment again." She continued, "Not only did Dr. Toal restore my confidence in dentistry, but most importantly, confidence in myself."

If you would like to be one of Dr. Maureen Toal’s success stories, contact the Center for Dental Rehabilitation today to schedule a consultation.

“As a professional athlete, admitting I was afraid to go to the dentist wasn't something I readily would tell people about. Since I visited Dr. Toal, and had years of dental problems corrected, I can now concentrate more on my everyday activities.”

-- NBA basketball player

“I was the king of dental phobics. Now I've got every tooth I'm supposed to and have every reason to smile again.”

-- Bob, businessman and recovered dental phobic

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Medically Compromised

Do any of these describe you?

• High risk for heart attack
• Have a family history of high blood pressure
• Heart Problems and/or diabetes
• Have had a stroke
• Have any severe medical condition

If you answered yes to any of the above than most likely you fall into the category of those patients who need general anesthesia or IV conscious sedation for your dental treatment.

The Center for Dental Rehabilitation allows anxious adults to have their dental needs met in a private, predictable setting. High-risk patients such as those with heart problems, diabetes, a family history of high blood pressure, or stroke history are often best served at one of Dr. Toal’s outpatient surgical facilities.

With the use of general anesthetic administered by a board certified anesthesiologist, or IV conscious sedation administered by Dr. Toal and/or anesthesiologist, all of the patient’s needs, including radiographs and treatment, are comprehensively addressed. The postoperative recovery at the Center for Dental Rehabilitation often allows the patient to return home the same day.

Lucille’s Story

Lucille is a frail 78-year-old with rheumatoid arthritis in her jaw. She was referred to Dr. Toal by her family doctor.

"This was an unusual patient in that she couldn't open her mouth more than an inch," Dr. Toal remembered. "She could barely insert her toothbrush, let alone eat."

After undergoing general anesthetic to relax the muscles, it was discovered she had a severe infection and would need a partial reconstruction in that area of her mouth.

"We immediately cleaned out the infected area so it wouldn't affect the rest of her body," Dr. Toal said. "She's now able to eat her regular foods again."

“Knowing that I now have a dentist who is kind, compassionate, understanding, patient, and professional has changed my life.”

-- Bill, stroke victim

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Nursing Home, Hospital, or Special Needs Patients

Do any of these describe you?

• Severe gag reflex
• Reside in a nursing home
• Homebound
• Severely obese
• Physically or mentally handicapped
• Need dental care during a lengthy hospital stay

If you answered yes to any of the above than most likely you fall into the category of those patients who need general anesthesia or IV conscious sedation for your dental treatment.

It is estimated that approximately 33 million Americans (15 percent of the population) are homebound or have a handicap that keeps them from receiving adequate dental treatment.

Paul’s Story

Paul is a 52-year-old CEO of a major accounting firm. He had not received dental treatment for 14 years because of a severe gag reflex.

"I could not sit still in the dental chair while the dentist tried to work inside of my mouth," he said. "I would always convulse into gags."

The dentists he had gone to see recommended pre-medication and even psychotherapy, but nothing worked. He eventually gave up.

"For many years I would go from dentist to dentist only to be told 'sorry, we just can't work on you'," he explained. "It was embarrassing and an awful experience for a man my age to go through this."

He approached Dr. Maureen Toal at the Center for Dental Rehabilitation. After radiographs and consultation it was agreed upon for Dr. Toal to place him under general anesthetic, using a board certified anesthesiologist. At that time she addressed his comprehensive dental treatment needs in this one setting. After this treatment, he had regained his confidence in dental treatment enough to begin regular dental hygiene visits.

"I feel much more comfortable now interacting with my clients, because I can smile," he said. "I also receive regular dental treatment again."

No matter what your reason for seeking out sedation dentistry, Dr. Maureen Toal will be happy to discuss your individual situation with you. Simply call or email the Center for Dental Rehabilitation and we will arrange a private consultation with Dr. Toal.

“Nobody would treat my dental problems, so I went to Dr. Toal. She took the time to work with me and found a solution that would give me regular dental care.”

-- Claudia, a triplegic using a wheelchair

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