If you suffer from a phobia or prefer to be under for your procedure, sedation may be an option for you. While sedation dentistry in Edmonton will not put you to sleep, it is designed to help you feel completely calm, comfortable, and relaxed throughout your procedure. With nitrous oxide sedation, you’ll be able to go right back to the rest of your day without interruption, and oral conscious sedation often makes patients feel as though they slept through their appointment. Both options are incredibly safe and can help you feel comfortable and relaxed while you get the dental care you need. Read on to learn more about sedation dentistry or give us a call today.
Feeling Relaxed During Dental Appointments
Some individuals suffer from “dental phobia,” a syndrome in which visiting the dentist can be a particularly terrifying ordeal. The unfortunate reality is that dental anxiety and oral health are associated. It also prevents some people from visiting the dentist on a regular basis or undergoing necessary dental procedures. At Time to Care Dental Group, we understand dental anxiety, which is why it is our top priority to put you at ease during your visit. We offer compassionate and caring support and various dental sedation management options for you to choose from.
In order to proceed with your dental treatments, we are able to treat your dental anxiety and dental phobia with different options. Depending on the course of treatment, your dentist may administer a local anesthetic, or freezing agent, to diminish any discomfort. Rest assured, we will not proceed with any work until you are well informed and totally comfortable.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide sedation is better known as “laughing gas”. This is the mildest form of sedation dentistry. To administer it, we’ll place a small mask over your nose. Within just a few moments of breathing in the colorless, odorless gas, you’ll begin to feel warm and relaxed. You will be completely oblivious to all the sights, sounds, and other sensations that would typically cause you distress. Once the treatment is complete and the mask is removed, you’ll return to your normal level of consciousness within a few minutes.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide sedation has several applications and is ideal for assisting patients who:
- Suffer from mild to moderate dental-related anxiety.
- Have a strong gag reflex or dental sensitivity.
- Don’t like the sights, smells, or sounds of the dental office.
- Have trouble remaining seated for long periods of time.
- Don’t respond well to typical anesthetics.
- Have a fear of needles.
Simply put, if anything about visiting the dentist concerns you or stresses you out, you’re likely a good candidate for nitrous oxide sedation! When you visit us for your appointment, we’ll be able to evaluate your health before clearing you to receive sedation. It’s worth noting that patients who are pregnant, suffer from sinus congestion or respiratory disease, or are taking certain medications might not be suitable candidates.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Before your treatment begins, we will administer the nitrous oxide through a small nasal mask. Our dental team will be able to control the flow of both oxygen and the nitrous oxide gas, and within a minute or two you’ll begin to feel a relaxing, euphoric wave come over you. Some patients feel a slight light-headedness or tingling sensation, but this is normal.
Though it’s called laughing gas, you won’t start cackling maniacally; however, you will feel calm and comfortable so that we can begin your planned treatment. It’s also worth mentioning that you’ll still be responsive to verbal commands. As soon as we’ve wrapped up, the nasal mask is removed, and just as quickly as you felt the effects of the gas wash over you, they’ll rapidly dissipate. In fact, most patients are able to carry on with their day as per usual after their visit!
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
One of the best parts about receiving nitrous oxide sedation is that there’s minimal aftercare required and virtually no downtime outside of the appointment. However, it’s worth noting that while nitrous oxide sedation fades away quickly once the mask has been removed, if you’ve received an anesthetic for any reason, those separate effects may last for a few hours after your visit. In any case, if you’ve been given treatment-specific instructions following your procedure, be sure to follow them closely.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is administered via a small, prescribed pill or liquid. You’ll usually be instructed to ingest this medication about an hour before your appointment. The sedative effects will come about gradually, and you should feel completely relaxed by the time you arrive at our office. Oral conscious sedation helps patients achieve a deeper level of relaxation than nitrous oxide sedation, and many feel as though they’ve slept through their appointments. However, should you nod off, you can be awakened with a gentle nudge. You’ll continue to feel groggy after your appointment, so you’ll need a friend or family member to drive you home.
Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Depending on your unique needs and preferences, sedation dentistry can be used for any level of dental care, from simple cleanings to more complex procedures. Most patients are great candidates for sedation dentistry, and we will often recommend it to those who:
- Experience dental phobia or dental anxiety
- Do not respond well to numbing medications alone
- Have an overactive gag reflex or sensitive teeth
- Experience jaw, neck, shoulder, or back pain in the dental chair
- Will be undergoing a lengthy or complex treatment
However, sedation dentistry is not right for everyone. To discover if dental sedation can help your next appointment go smoothly and comfortably, give us a call today to schedule a consultation.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Dental care shouldn’t be uncomfortable or stressful. At Time to Care Dental Group, we are dedicated to making each of your appointments as pleasant as possible. If you find yourself physically or emotionally uncomfortable during your dental visits, sedation dentistry may be a good choice for you. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions we get about dental sedation so you can learn more about this option. If you’re interested in discovering if it’s the right choice for you, give us a call today.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
At Time to Care Dental Group, we are proud to have a team of highly experienced dental professionals with advanced training. Thanks to their cooperative team approach and decades of combined experience, they are able to perform a wide range of services. This includes sedation dentistry. When administered by a seasoned professional like one of our dentists, sedation dentistry is exceptionally safe. The amount of sedative prescribed will be unique to you, and your vital signs will be monitored closely throughout your treatment.
Will I Be Asleep During My Treatments?
Sedation dentistry does not put patients to sleep, but it does offer nearly all of the benefits that people are looking for when they ask if they can be “put under” for a treatment. You may not remember anything about your appointment once the sedation wears off, and many individuals describe the sensation of feeling like they were in a dream-like state. Nonetheless, you will remain conscious enough to respond to simple instructions and basic questions.
Will I Feel Any Pain with Sedation Dentistry?
Before we begin any treatment, we will thoroughly numb your mouth with a local anesthetic. This powerful numbing medication will ensure that your mouth remains comfortable while we complete your care. While sedation dentistry is not strictly a pain relief medication, it changes how the body perceives pain. When you are sedated, sensations that would typically cause you discomfort may not register as such in your brain. Overall, patients report that sedation dentistry typically helps them feel more physically comfortable during their treatments.
Which Type of Dental Sedation Is Best?
There is no “best type” of dental sedation. The option that is ideal for one patient may not be ideal for you, while the option that works best for you may not be optimal for another patient. The type of sedation dentistry that is right for you will depend on several factors, including your current health, medical history, type of treatment being completed and more. Generally speaking, nitrous oxide is used for shorter treatments and for patients who only need a little help getting comfortable in the dental chair, while oral conscious sedation is more powerful. During your consultation, we’ll help you discover which type of sedation is best for your unique situation.
Who Shouldn’t Get Dental Sedation?
Sedation dentistry is an excellent choice for most patients. However, there are some cases where we do not recommend it, such as if a patient is pregnant or breastfeeding. Patients with certain health conditions or prescription medications may not qualify as well. This is why we will thoroughly review your health and medical history to ensure that sedation dentistry will be a safe and effective option for you.