Patients choose sedation for dental treatments for many reasons. Don’t be intimidated to ask for options or information.
# Sedation Options
Is Sedation Right for You?
Sedation dentistry is a valuable tool to help those who have a fear of the dentist. It can also help if:
- You are nervous about your upcoming procedure.
- You find it difficult to sit still, even for short periods of time.
- You have much work that needs to be done, or your procedure is going to take a significant amount of time.
- Your teeth are exceptionally sensitive.
- You have a low tolerance for pain.
- You have a bad gag reflex.
DENTAL SEDATION: NITROUS OXIDE, ORAL SEDATION, AND IV
Whether you’re undergoing a tooth extraction or having jaw reconstruction surgery, oral surgery can be fear inducing. Moreover, this fear can keep you out of the dentist’s chair. Avoiding necessary oral surgery can lead to severe consequences, and puts your oral, and overall, health at risk. At Rockwall Oral Surgery, we take your oral health seriously and want to do everything we can to ensure you get the treatment you need. To help you remain calm and relaxed for your procedure, we offer sedation dentistry.
Less Anxiety, Better Oral Health
With dental sedation, you can feel relaxed and comfortable in the dentist’s chair while we perform your procedure. With the use of either an inhaled gas or medication, sedatives help to put you at ease. There are several different levels of sedation, which provides you with options to suit your procedure and your specific needs:
- Minimal Sedation: With this sedation, you are completely conscious, but also completely relaxed.
- Moderate Sedation: You are still conscious but in a much drowsier state. It is not uncommon for patients using moderate sedation to experience some amnesia, unable to remember parts of the procedure.
- Deep Sedation: This type of sedation keeps you right on the brink of consciousness. You may even fall asleep during your procedure.
- General Anesthesia: The strongest form of sedation, you are kept asleep throughout.
Questions About Dental Sedation?
If you shudder at the thought of needing dental care, find it difficult to get through the door, or have trouble sitting still in the office chair, sedation may be able to help. Don’t let fear keep you from getting the oral treatment you need, ask about sedation for your procedure. For more information, or to learn which options are right for you, call Rockwall Oral Surgery at (469)757-4433 today.
Types of Sedation
Along with different levels of sedation, there are also several types.
Nitrous Oxide
Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a form of minimal sedation. Nitrous oxide gas is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through your nose. It takes effect quickly and wears off shortly after the mask is removed.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation involves taking a medication by mouth. We provide you with a prescription, and you take the medication an hour before your scheduled procedure. The exact time the medication takes effect depends on many factors, but it works in about 30 minutes. After your procedure, it can take a while to wear off, so you will need someone to drive you home.
Intravenous (IV) Sedation
IV sedation encompasses deep sedation and general anesthesia. The medication is delivered directly into your bloodstream, so it goes to work right away. Like oral sedation, the effects linger, so you will need to have someone with you at your appointment who can drive you home.
In addition to brushing and flossing, professional dental care is essential. Whether you need routine cleaning and exam or you need treatment for a specific issue, professional care is integral for maintaining or restoring its health. However, if the thought of dental care makes you feel uneasy, anxious, or even afraid, you might do everything you can to avoid going. Avoiding dental care can lead to serious issues that can then lead to the need for more invasive treatments later. At Rockwall Oral Surgery, we can help you to get the care you need in a safe, effective manner with sedation.
What is Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas, is the mildest form of sedation available. It is a colorless, odorless gas that is mixed with oxygen. You inhale nitrous oxide through a small mask that is worn over your nose. As you breathe the gas in, it goes to work almost instantly helping you to feel more relaxed and at ease. You are still completely conscious, just much more comfortable. Nitrous oxide also helps to raise your pain threshold and reduce your gag reflex. Once your treatment is over, the effects of nitrous oxide wear off quite quickly, and you are back to feeling like your normal self in no time. In most cases, you can drive yourself home after your appointment.
What is Oral Sedation?
Oral sedation is a form of moderate conscious sedation. This sedation is administered in the form of a medication that is taken by mouth about an hour before your appointment. The medication takes about 30 minutes to take effect, although the exact time varies from person to person. When it does take effect, it makes you feel drowsy and relaxed, although you are still conscious. Many patients report temporary amnesia, where they are unable to recall parts, or even any, of their procedure. The effects of oral sedation can linger for several hours after your treatment is complete, so you will need to have someone to drive you home after your appointment. It is important to rest and take it easy while the effects wear off.
What is Intravenous Sedation?
Intravenous sedation, also commonly called IV sedation is another form of moderate conscious sedation. Instead of taking medication by mouth, though, the medication is delivered directly into your bloodstream with IV fluids through a small needle that is inserted into your arm or the back of your hand. IV sedation takes effect almost immediately and causes you to become sleepy and relaxed, although you are still conscious. Much like oral sedation, IV sedation produces an amnesic effect. Moreover, like oral sedation, the effects of IV sedation can linger for several hours after your treatment is completed so you will need to have someone with you at your appointment who can drive you home.