03:40 PM Mountain Standard Time on Thursday, February 20, 2003

By Beverly Kidd / 3TV health reporter

A new procedure may take the edge off the snarling drills, the needles going into your gums and other sounds and images associated with going to the dentist.

"I don't like needles and I've had some bad experiences with dentists in the past and I just put off having this stuff done and now I have to get it done," said patient "Goose" after discovering what's known as sedation dentistry.

Dr. Jeffrey Zimmerman said the woman needed a lot of work, including a lower right-side bridge that needs to be replaced. Zimmerman also said the woman had decay under a silver filling that needed to be removed and some crown work that needed to be done.

Zimmerman said lack of follow-ups to take care of what could be minor dental work inspired him to find an innovative way to practice dentistry.

"After I took this course I was just energized. I was possessed. I said this is something that I need to do for the huge majority of people that are scared, afraid," he said, referring to sedation dentistry, the latest tool dentists are using to put their patients at ease.

Two little white pills taken before a procedure can make a trip to the dentist seem kind of like a night out after cocktails.

"It's where they take a couple of pills an hour before the treatment and go to a level where we monitor them and they just become totally relaxed almost in a sleep state, but they're not unconscious," Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman said the patient needs to be aware enough so he can talk to him or her during the procedure.

He doesn't rely on verbal communication alone. Zimmerman also uses a monitor to keep track of his patients' vital signs.

But sedation therapy is not for everyone. Zimmerman considers medical histories first.

If you have a medical problem, chances are you're not a good candidate for sedation therapy.