Sedation Dentist Portland OR: West Hills Dental Center

Dr. Steven Little has a very unique background. Since childhood he has been involved in arts and sciences. In 1983 he began working with ceramics and custom jewelry fabrication. To improve his skills he applied this background to the dental laboratory process and was accepted to Archibald and Associated directly associated to the CRA Research Institute. It was there he worked and studied with world renowned doctors and technicians and received his dental laboratory certificate in 1987. Being exposed to dentistry at that level prompted him to return to school and graduate from OHSU with a Doctorate of Dental Medicine.

Today Dr. Little has earned many certificates which make it possible for him to address a variety of dental needs from oral surgery and implants to orthopedics for children. His latest training is in both oral and IV sedation. He is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and maintains Level III Sedation credentials. It is this well rounded background that allows Dr. Little to service you and your families many dental needs.

As a general dentist it is my job to know all areas of dentistry from orthodontics to oral surgery. If the procedure requires a specialist then I have the best specialists available. In a world where cosmetics are important it is just as important that I present you with well rounded treatment options that are in your best interest"

Dr. Little's thoughts on why deep sedation is more effective than just a pill.
There is a lot of confusion about "sedation" dentistry. I will explain it as well as I can and provide you with some links so you can further inform yourself on this confusing topic.

Technically sedation can vary, from taking a mild sleeping pill all the way to deep sedation (intravenous). Many of the ads you see on TV or hear on the radio discuss conscious sedation as if they are all the same... well they aren't. The Oregon Dental Association requires that doctors have different "permits" for these different levels of sedation. (http://www.adsahome.org/) There are 3 levels. Generally level one allows the doctor to administer "laughing gas". Level two allows the administration of pills and possible laughing gas. Level three allows for the direct administration of drugs intravenously and or pills and or laughing gas. Very few dentists are licensed to do all three. There is just a handful in the Portland Metro area. There is quite a bit of extra education and licensure required.

"Deep sedation" (level three) is the deepest sedation. It is about three times more effective than with pills alone. At West Hills Dental we have all levels available for you if needed, including general anesthesia. I am partial to the level three. This type is the most predictable and our patients like the fact that it is safer. Just think about it. If you are prescribed pills there are many factors to be considered. Pills are absorbed in the intestine. Variables such as food, stress, time, weight, etc. all have an effect so it is very hard to predict the proper dose needed at your appointment. The ability to give you just the right amount is very difficult and doctors error on the light side to prevent an overdose which can be serious... so what if you are still anxious? Take more pills? How many? How long will it take? Hard to adjust when you are in the office? I think you can see some of the problems. By administering drugs directly to your system by IV we can give you the perfect dose for your needs. It is safer because by titration of the dose we can immediately monitor your level so the dose is tailor-made for you right when you need it, no more, no less. Not like pills. Further we have reversal drugs that can be used immediately, if necessary. With pills it is just not possible to reverse a dose quickly, therefore the reason for a lighter dose in the first case.
Additional information available at these sites.

Cosmetic and Restorative Dentist in Portland, OR - Dr Steven Little