Sedation Dentistry – DeSoto, TX
Beat Dental Anxiety with Powerful Sedation
If you avoid going to the dentist because you have anxiety, fear or phobias of the dental office, just know that you are not the only one. Millions of Americans avoid going to the dentist out of fear every single year, putting them at higher risk of developing dental disease and overlooking important aspects of their oral and overall health. With powerful, safe and effective sedation options at Amaze Dental, you no longer have to suffer with anxiety just to get your treatments completed.
Why Choose Amaze Dental for Sedation Dentistry?
- Nitrous Oxide for Fast-Acting Sedative Effects
- Oral Conscious Sedation for More Significant Anxiety
- Experienced and Caring Dentist and Team Members
Oral Conscious Sedation
If you suffer from moderate to severe levels of dental fear or anxiety, oral conscious sedation may be the ideal option for you. This method of sedation is taken orally several hours before your treatment, allowing the sedative’s effects to take hold. Once you arrive at the dental office, you should be fully relaxed and prepared to receive care. Continue reading to learn more about how this treatment works.
What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is usually recommended for adults who have anxiety, fear, or something else that makes them feel uncomfortable in the dental chair. There aren’t any needles or face masks involved. Instead, you will be prescribed a small pill to take about an hour before your appointment. By the time you get to the dental office, you will be perfectly relaxed!
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
As soon as the effects of the medication kick in, you will feel deeply relaxed. Some patients don’t even remember their visit. However, you will remain conscious throughout your whole treatment, so you will still be able to answer questions and follow the instructions of your dentist. We will closely monitor your vital signs during your treatment to make sure that you are perfectly safe. Until nitrous oxide sedation, the effects of oral conscious sedation linger, so you should arrange for a trusted friend or family member to take you to and from your treatment.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is popular because it’s highly effective, but doesn’t involve a mask or needles. You are likely a good candidate for oral conscious sedation if you:
- Have dental anxiety or phobia
- Regularly cancel appointments due to fear
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Are receiving multiple treatments at once
- Have a long dental treatment
- Have difficulty sitting still
- Struggle becoming numb from anesthesia
- Have had negative dental experiences previously
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
For those with milder cases of anxiety or fear, nitrous oxide may be a more appropriate option. This gaseous substance combines nitrous and oxygen, which is then administered through a nasal mask that is worn throughout treatment. Within a few minutes or less, you’ll feel much calmer, happier, and mildly numb all over. You’ll also still be awake and able to talk with the dentist as needed. Since the sedative’s effects are fast-acting, you can simply show up, receive your treatment, and continue your routine activities for the rest of the day. Read on to learn more about nitrous oxide in DeSoto and what you should expect from the treatment.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is the most gentle and lightest form of sedation therapy. This makes it an excellent option for most patients, including children. Whether it’s for a toddler, teenager, or adult, this soothing treatment can provide multiple benefits, especially for those who:
- Have sensitive teeth or a powerful gag reflex
- Are feeling anxious, worried, or scared of their dental appointment
- Are nervous about visiting the dentist and need help relaxing in the chair
- Experience back, jaw, or neck pain while sitting for prolonged periods
- Will require several treatments during one visit
- Need to undergo extensive treatments, like root canal therapy
- Have special needs or experience difficulty sitting still
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
This sedation option is stress-free and easy to administer. Firstly, we’ll place a small mask over your nose after you’ve settled into the examination chair. Within a few moments of breathing the odorless gas, you should feel a light, relaxing sensation wash over you. Some patients even feel tingling in their toes and fingers, and little things may seem funny, hence the nickname “laughing gas.”
You’ll still be conscious and able to respond to your dentist’s questions throughout your treatment with nitrous oxide. However, the sights, sounds, and other sensations that might usually bother you won’t be as much of a problem. Your body will be so relaxed that its ability to register pain will be suppressed, allowing you an incredibly comfortable and pleasurable experience during your appointment. We will monitor your vitals carefully and can adjust your level of sedation as necessary to ensure you’re safe.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Since there aren’t any side effects from nitrous oxide sedation, there won’t be much of an aftercare process to worry about. After finishing your appointment and removing the nasal mask, you should expect to feel normal and alert again within several minutes. This means you can undergo your dental treatment and still drive yourself home or continue your daily schedule. Some patients (usually children) do feel slightly nauseous after undergoing nitrous oxide sedation, but this sensation should be short-lived and minimal.