Adult Sedation Dentistry
Is Dental Sedation Right for Me?
Dental sedation is most commonly used for patients with significant dental anxiety or phobia, we may also recommend it in other situations for the safety of well being of patient care.
Is Dental Sedation Safe?
Yes. When administered by a trained professional sedation dentistry is perfectly safe for patients of all ages.
Prior to your undergoing sedation, we will set up a short call sedation setup consultation to discuss your medical history and current medications. Certain health conditions, such as pregnancy or COPD may make you ineligible for one or both types of sedation. By going over this information, as well as closely monitoring your vitals during your procedure, you should be perfectly safe while you’re under our care.
How Long Do the Effects of Dental Sedation Last?
It depends on the type of sedation you receive. One of the main advantages of nitrous oxide is that once we stop administering the gas, its effects will subside as quickly as they set in. Within a few minutes, you should be able to drive yourself home and carry on with your normal day.
Oral conscious sedation acts differently. If you have ever taken sedatives before, you can usually expect a similar experience using our prescribed oral sedation. For most patients, the effects of the pill will last for the next 12 to 24 hours. Plan on spending the remainder of the day after your procedure resting. You’ll also need someone to drive you to and from our office.
Options for Our Patients
Nitrous Only – Conscious Sedation
If you have dental anxiety, nitrous oxide-conscious sedation is a fantastic option to make receiving dental care easier.
How will nitrous be applied during my appointment?
Once you arrive at the dental office, we can administer the gas right away. A combination of both oxygen and nitrous is breathed through a nasal mask throughout your treatment. You will be able to speak with the dentist during your treatment in a more relaxed manner. Once your appointment is complete, we can easily remove the effects of nitrous gas completely and you can continue your normal activities without interruption.
Oral Sedation – Minimal Sedation
If you get nervous at the thought of going to the dentist, oral sedation with or without the use of nitrous may be an appropriate option to manage the stress of dental treatment. This can allow you to completely relax in the treatment chair, making it much easier to get the care your smile needs.
Will I Remember Anything About My Procedure?
Yes. Although Nitrous oxide sedation does not have effects on memory, patients who require oral sedatives may not remember details of their appointment. Time may seem to pass by much more quickly than normal. An hour-long procedure might feel like it only took five minutes. For these reasons, dental sedation is perfect for patients who have had negative dental experiences in the past; to them, it will seem as though they got their treatment done in the blink of an eye!
