A trip to the dentist conjures up a variety of images and emotions but modern dentistry has continued to look for solutions for those patients who are fearful or anxious or who just have a busy schedule.

One of the new methods is called sedation dentistry and Julie Fraysure is one patient who has selected this course.

"I’d had lots of experiences over the years with different dentists, four or five over the last 20 some years. There were failed root canals and good teeth pulled," Fraysure said. "But those mishaps didn’t make me frightened. Neither do shots and things as long as I know what’s coming and what will follow."

So why seek sedation dentistry? "It was more of an anxious feeling," Fraysure said.

A desire to have her teeth straightened and fixed encouraged Fraysure to seek the services of Dr. William J. Moorhead and there she learned of sedation dentistry.

"I had been putting off having my teeth fixed for years but I made up my mind that I wanted to get them fixed," Fraysure said. "There are nice and supportive here. My husband goes here now. It’s a totally different atmosphere."

Fraysure’s dental days begin at 7 a.m. when she takes one tablet of Triazolam, climbs into the car with her husband and is in the chair at Dr. Moorhead’s office by 8:00 a.m.

"I’m kind of groggy but I can feel, hear, reach and respond," Fraysure said. "We talk about what we plan to do that session." Next, the patient is made as comfortable as possible – shoes removed, wool blankets placed over the patient, etc.

"One day I wore a sweatshirt and they felt I might get uncomfortable after awhile, so they gave me a scrub top to change into," Fraysure said.

By that time Fraysure is "pretty agreeable." A blood pressure cuff is attached and the dentist "tests" the patient.

"I remember my first question my first session. Dr. Moorhead asked, ‘If you were going to work on your crafts, how able would you be able to do the job?’ If I think I can do it, he will go with more sedation."

The drug administered for sedation has no side effects for Fraysure who described it as "once it’s gone, it’s gone." Grogginess follows the ending of the sessions and senses are somewhat dulled, Fraysure said.

"Someone must be with you for 24 hours after the session," Fraysure said, "but I feel fine when I wake up the next morning."

The patient can eat after the session and is encouraged to drink lots of fluids.

"Extensive" can be the only way to describe Fraysure’s treatment. During her second session she was having several metal fillings replaced, two onlays and three or four crowns. Seven hours were spent in the dental office and chair. In all, only six lower teeth will not need attention.

Dr. Moorhead learned of sedation dentistry through the American Crown Council, an organization of 1500 dentists from the U.S. and Canada whose intent is to focus on more advanced technology. "The Crown Council has an e-mail network, and I first read about sedation dentistry from e-mail memos."

Moorhead tried the process a couple of years ago on a limited basis, but in late summer 2000 he took additional courses and purchased monitoring equipment for sedation dentistry. He sets aside at least one day a week for patients who select sedation dentistry.

"It’s best for people who are fearful, who gag easily, or who are very busy who want several procedures done at the same time," Moorhead said.