What are sedation dentistry options?
Sedation dentistry is a safe, gentle solution to help patients relax during dental treatment. Whether you have mild or severe dental anxiety, sedation dentistry has several options customized to your needs.
- Nitrous oxide sedation: Nitrous oxide, often referred to as “laughing gas,” is a gentle sedative delivered via a small mask placed over your nose. Within just a few breaths, you’ll feel relaxed and at ease, making it easier to undergo dental treatment without fear or anxiety. Nitrous oxide is the gentlest form of sedation available and is safe for patients of all ages, including children. One of its greatest benefits is that the calming effects wear off almost immediately once the mask is off, allowing you to return to your normal routine.
- Oral conscious sedation: It provides a deeper level of sedation than nitrous oxide. It involves taking a pill before your treatment. By the time you are seated in the dental chair, you’ll be deeply relaxed to undergo your treatment without stress. Unlike general anesthesia, you’ll be awake during treatment and even communicate with the dental team. However, you’ll be in a dream-like state and unlikely to remember much of the procedure. After treatment, you’ll need a friend or relative to drive you home because of lingering sedation effects
- IV sedation: It’s administered directly into the bloodstream through an IV line in your hand through a third-party provider. Its effects kick in within minutes, and the sedation is adjusted throughout treatment. IV sedation does not induce complete unconsciousness, but you may sleep comfortably during your procedure.
