Sedation or nitrous gas is available at our dental office for patients who experience fear or nervousness during a procedure. Once the patient breathes the gas in, it starts to work quickly to relax the patient.
After the procedure is finished, the patient will breathe in oxygen and the sedation will start to wear off after a few minutes.
Nitrous Oxide
Commonly known as laughing gas nitrous oxide is an effective but light form of sedation that works to relax patients by providing a sense of comfort during the their dental procedure.
Nitrous oxide takes effect quickly and wears off just as fast with the patient inhaling oxygen after the procedure.
Oral Sedation
For our patients, we also offer oral sedation in a pill form. A small pill is swallowed an hour before the procedure. It will make patients groggy, and may experience slurred speech and may not be able to recall all the details of the procedure.
Intravenous (IV) Sedation
For more extreme cases of nervousness or anxiety, intravenous sedation can be used. Intravenous is given through a line in your arm, and will keep you in an unconscious state until the procedure is complete. As a result, you will not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. Intravenous sedation is not a substitute for local anesthetic to numb the gum where the dentist is performing the treatment.
If you suffer from anxiousness when undergoing dental procedures, intravenous sedation might be a good option for you. During your next dental visit, talk to your dentist about the options available to you, and your dentist will recommend the right course of action for you.