Have you ever avoided having dental procedures done out of fear or anxiety? Do you feel nervous when you have to visit your dentist? If so, you are not alone! Dental anxiety is a phobic phenomenon for many people. To help relieve this anxiety, Dr. [doctor_name] and our team at [practice_name] offer both nitrous and oral sedation for our patients in [city], [state] to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible.
The goal of using sedation is to make your experience a pleasant one by helping you relax and feel comfortable during treatment. We also seek to offer a safe environment with minimal side effects and we monitor you throughout the procedure. Let’s take a look at what each of these options have to offer so that you can determine which may work best for you during your next procedure.
Oral Sedation: this form of sedation is given by your dentist via a pill or under the tongue (sublingually). A pill, such as Halcion or a benzodiazepine will be prescribed for you to take before coming in. Under-the-tongue medication is done in the office and is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream.
This sedation helps you experience deep relaxation as it slows the central nervous system’s action acting as a Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant. What does this mean for you? It means you will be aware of your surroundings, but it blocks out sound, smells, and pain by making you less aware of external stimulation.
Before giving you a sedative, we will ask about your medical history and we also ask that you bring a friend or family member to drive you home afterward and remain with you until the sedation wears off.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation: this is a method of sedation which is safe and effective with minimal side effects. Commonly referred to as ‘laughing gas’, nitrous oxide is a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen designed to help you relax and feel comfortable while being fully awake and aware of your surroundings. This means you will be able to hear and respond to questions during the procedure. You simply sit back and breathe in the gas comfortably through your nose. The benefit to nitrous oxide is that once you remove the mask after the procedure the effects wear off so that you may drive yourself home.
Dr. [doctor_name] and our team will help you find the right sedation method for your treatment and situation, so that you may have the best experience possible. At [practice_name] in [city], [state], we look forward to making every dental visit one which you can look forward to. Please call us at [phone] today if you would like to schedule your next appointment!