Dental anxiety is common, but can easily be alleviated. If your dental appointments make you feel anxious, we have a solution. You don’t have to worry about pain or discomfort during your visit with dental sedation. Sedation can help you feel comfortable at your appointment and make it easier for you to get the treatment you need for a beautiful smile.
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a low-level form of sedation that can ease your sensations during your dental appointment. Even if it’s a regular cleaning, nitrous oxide sedation can make your visit pass quickly without any unpleasant feelings.
The gas is administered through a mask that goes over your nose and mouth. It takes effect almost immediately as you inhale — rest assured, we’ll make sure you feel comfortable throughout your appointment. Once your treatment is finished, the sedation will wear off quickly and most patients are able to drive home.
Oral sedation is administered in the form of a pill prior to your treatment. This form of sedation is slightly stronger than nitrous oxide, but won’t put you to sleep. You’ll be awake, but you likely won’t remember much from your procedure later because your sensations will be dulled.
After your appointment, the sedation will take a while to wear off. We suggest bringing someone with you who can drive you home, as driving under the influence of sedation can be extremely dangerous.
Intravenous sedation is the strongest form of sedation we can offer. For this option, we’ll call in an expert anesthesiologist to administer the sedation directly into your bloodstream, which will put you to sleep for the duration of your visit. The anesthesiologist will monitor your sedation levels throughout the procedure to make sure you’re safe.
Please keep in mind that you’ll need someone to drive you home after your appointment. IV sedation can take a long time to wear off and you’ll want to rest at home for a while.
Undergoing conscious sedation is like being half-asleep. You’ll be extremely relaxed and feel drowsy enough that you could fall asleep, but you won’t lose consciousness. You’ll still be awake but won’t feel any pain while your dentist works during your procedure.
How long you’ll feel the effects of sedation depends on what type of sedation is used during your procedure. For instance, nitrous oxide is a low-level form of sedation that wears off fairly quickly, while oral sedation and IV sedation can take longer to fully recover from. It’s recommended that you bring someone you trust with you to your dental visit so that they can drive you home after your treatment.
No, sedation is not the same as general anesthesia. Unlike anesthesia, you’ll still be conscious so you’re still able to respond to verbal stimuli. The recovery time is also faster, making sedation a safe option when deciding on an effective relaxation method. Your dentist will be able to go into more detail about the differences between sedation and anesthesia.
You’ll be monitored by your dentist’s highly-trained staff throughout your dental procedure. They’ll follow your vitals and make sure they remain at a normal, healthy level. Your dentist will be able to ensure you have a comfortable, stress-free experience so that your smile can get the necessary care it deserves.