Easing Anxiety with Sedation Dentistry in Coppell
We want you to feel completely comfortable whenever you come to see us at Sandy Lake Dental & Orthodontics. That’s why we offer sedation dentistry. For patients who struggle with fear and anxiety, sedation dentistry can make any visit a relaxing and pleasant experience. Read on to learn about some of the ways we can help you relax during your next dental appointment.
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Dental visits don’t have to be stressful, especially with the help of nitrous oxide sedation. At Sandy Lake Dental & Orthodontics in Coppell, we offer this safe and effective option to help both kids and adults feel more relaxed during treatment.
Often called “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is excellent for easing dental anxiety and creating a more peaceful experience overall. Best of all, it works quickly and wears off just as fast, so you can get back to your day without delay! Read below to learn more about this light sedation option and see how it can change your experience for the better.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation?
One of the great things about nitrous oxide is that it’s incredibly light and safe. This means that virtually anyone could benefit from it with few to no side effects. It’s a fantastic option for patients who experience mild to moderate anxiety about dental visits. It’s also useful for those with:
- A strong gag reflex
- Difficulty sitting still for long periods
- Sensory sensitivities
- Fear of needles or certain dental instruments
- Resistance to anesthetics
At our Coppell practice, we’re so confident in the safety of nitrous oxide that we even offer it as an option for children. Many kids have trouble with fear or restlessness during appointments, so nitrous oxide may be helpful.
Before using the gas, our team performs a thorough review of our patient’s medical history and dental needs to determine if this form of sedation is right for them.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation Work?
Nitrous oxide is administered through a small mask placed over your nose. As you breathe it in, you’ll start to feel more relaxed.
Some patients describe the feeling as a light, floaty sensation, while others describe it as a sort of giddiness or euphoria (hence the moniker “laughing gas”). Either way, you’ll remain awake and responsive the entire time, but your anxiety and discomfort will melt away.
Our team will monitor you closely during your procedure to ensure your safety and comfort. Once your treatment is done, we stop the flow of nitrous oxide and switch to oxygen. After just a few minutes of breathing pure oxygen, the effects wear off almost entirely, allowing you to go about your day as usual.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
One of the biggest benefits of nitrous oxide is its quick recovery time. Most patients feel completely normal just minutes after the mask is removed. You can drive yourself home or return to work or school without any lingering grogginess.
If you do experience minor side effects like a headache or nausea, they usually fade quickly. Although exceedingly rare, there are instances where more serious side effects can occur, but our team will be there to help you recover quickly. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask. We want you to feel safe and cared for from the moment you walk in.
Oral Conscious Dental Sedation
It is believed that approximately 50 to 80 percent of American adults have some degree of dental anxiety. While this may not be a problem in every case, if it prevents you from getting routine preventive oral health care or treating dental problems, oral conscious sedation can help. Administered via pill form, this treatment can assist you by keeping you calm and comfortable in the dental chair, even if it’s just for a routine exam and cleaning!
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
One of the major benefits of oral conscious sedation is that it requires no needles or face masks. It is typically recommended for any adult who is nervous, anxious, fearful, or who has a sensitive gag reflex or any other issue that may make them uncomfortable in the treatment chair.
Typically, your dentist will prescribe you one small pill that you can take either when you arrive at your appointment, or just prior to your appointment. Most frequently we prescribe Valium, Ativan, or Halcion.
The effects of oral conscious sedation are long-lasting, and typically take effect in about 15 minutes, depending on the medication prescribed.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
The effects of your prescribed sedative will linger throughout your entire appointment, so it is very important that you have a trusted friend or family member drop you off and pick you up. Once the effects kick in, you will feel deeply relaxed and calm. Many patients aren’t even able to remember anything that happens during their appointment once the medication wears off, which can be a major benefit for some.
During your appointment, your dental team will continue to monitor your condition to ensure that you are always safe. You will still be conscious, but you will be able to respond to instructions, but you’ll remain in a relaxed state the entire time.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is a great option for patients who fit the following criteria:
- Suffer from dental fear, anxiety or nervousness.
- Regularly cancel or reschedule dental appointments out of nervousness or fear of receiving bad news.
- Have a sensitive gag reflex.
- Are undergoing multiple treatments or one longer treatment in one appointment.
- Have difficulty getting numb with local anesthesia.
- Have difficulty keeping their mouth open or sitting in the treatment chair.
- Have had bad dental experiences in the past.
IV Sedation
With IV sedation, we can help patients achieve a very deep level of relaxation. This form is recommended for patients with severe anxiety or those who need a lengthy, complex procedure. The sedative is sent directly into the bloodstream via a painless injection in the arm. It is extremely fast acting, and your doctor can easily adjust your sedation level throughout your treatment so you are comfortable the entire time. Most patients have little to no memory of their procedure after using IV sedation. Due to the strength of this method, expect to return to your normal activities the day following your appointment.
Other Reasons for Choosing Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry isn’t just for anxious patients. Anyone who wants to feel a deeper sense of peace during appointments or complete more work in fewer visits may benefit from it as well.
To learn more about sedation dentistry or to schedule an appointment, call our Coppell dental office. Sandy Lake Dental & Orthodontics serves Lewisville, Irving, Flower Mound, Carrollton, Arlington, Frisco, and the surrounding areas with quality, personalized dental care.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Do you want to know a bit more about sedation dentistry? We invite you to read the handy FAQ section below! Our expert team at Sandy Lake Dental & Orthodontics has compiled some of the most common questions and answers about the three types of sedation described above, for your convenience. If you still have additional questions or concerns about nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation or IV sedation after reading the information below, do not hesitate to contact us directly. We are always happy to answer any questions our patients may have!
Do I Have to Take Off Work?
The effects of nitrous oxide wear off very quickly, so most patients who are sedated in this manner do not have to worry about missing a significant chunk of work, class or other activities.
In contrast, patients that undergo more advanced sedative treatment such as oral conscious sedation or IV sedation are more likely to be able to resume their daily routines after several hours or even the following day.
So, if you are concerned about taking off significant time from work to complete dental treatment, talk to your dentist in Coppell about whether nitrous oxide is the right sedative option for you.
Can I Drive Home After I Have Been Sedated?
This is one of the most common questions we hear at Sandy Lake Dental & Orthodontics regarding sedation dentistry. The answer? It depends on what time of sedative you are administered:
- Nitrous oxide – Yes. You may need to wait just a few minutes to ensure you are fully alert before driving home or back to the office.
- Oral sedation – No. Since you may begin to feel the effects of oral sedation before your appointment begins, you should arrange for a friend or family member to drive you both to and from our office.
- IV sedation – No. You may feel somewhat groggy for an hour or so after IV sedation, so be sure to make transportation arrangement beforehand so you can arrive safely back home.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe for Children?
When administered by a trained sedation dentist in Coppell, sedation dentistry is very safe for both mature and young patients. Sedation dentistry can be especially helpful for young children who are scared of the dentist’s office by putting them at ease throughout their dental treatment.
If your young child suffers from dental anxiety, we suggest bringing along a comfort item from home, such as a blanket or favorite stuffed animal. This can help distract and keep them calm in the dentist’s chair until the sedative takes effect.
Who Should NOT Take Oral Sedation?
While oral conscious sedation can be administered without risk to most adult patients, it is not right for everyone. Oral conscious sedation is typically not recommended for the following types of patients:
- People who may suffer from an allergic reaction to the sedative
- People with acute narrow-angle glaucoma
- People who are pregnant or nursing
- People diagnosed with clinical depression or bipolar disorders
- People with a high tolerance for certain drugs or a history of drug abuse
During an initial consultation, one of our experienced dentists will review your medical and dental history to determine the correct and safest form of sedation dentistry for you.