Do you avoid dental visits because of fear or anxiety? Dental sedation, sometimes called sleep dentistry, is a technique dentists use to help patients relax. Sedation helps patients remain calm during all dental procedures. Several types of sedation methods make patients feel more comfortable during treatments. We offer sedation dentistry in Allen, TX, during your dentist appointments at Allen Dental Center.
Patients who suffer from fear of the dentist or dental anxiety will benefit from using sedation methods. In many cases, sedation helps patients get the care they need. However, many other benefits to sedation dentistry exist.
Who is Sedation Dentistry For?
Sedation dentistry benefits those who suffer from dental anxiety. However, patients choose to use it for other reasons as well. Our patients use sedation dentistry in Allen, TX, for many reasons. Sedation is appropriate for patients with:
- Dental fear or anxiety
- A low pain threshold
- A strong gag reflex
- Difficulty sitting still for extended periods of time
- The need for lengthy or complicated dental procedures
If you have dental phobia, we’re here to help. We can accomodate you at your next visit. In addition to sedation, we may recommend bringing noise-canceling headphones.
You can also hold a stress ball to distract you during your visit. Sometimes, if you are a new patient, seeing our office before your visit can help calm your fears. You may tour our office before your appointment to familiarize yourself with our team.
What are the Levels of Sedation?
Dentists use multiple levels of sedation based on the length and amount of dental work you need. The levels of sedation include:
- Minimal: Under minimal sedation, you can respond to instructions from your dentist. While you may feel sensation, you do not feel pain.
- Moderate: Under moderate sedation, you can still respond to stimulation. However, you may forget parts of the treatment. You are more relaxed but still awake.
- Deep: Under deep sedation, you remain awake but may feel that you fell asleep. Still, you are not aware of your treatment and will not respond to our dentist and their instructions.
General anesthesia is the deepest level of sedation. We do not require this deepest level for our dental treatments.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
Allen Dental Center offers two types of dental sedation methods. Before your dentist appointment, discuss your concerns with our dentist. Then, our dentist can review your medical history to determine if you qualify for any sedation methods. Our dentist will choose between one of the two following types of sedation dentistry.
Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry
Oral conscious sedation is an effective way to help patients relax during dental procedures. You will take a sedative before your appointment. The medications we use can provide a range of mild to moderate sedation.
You will still be conscious and able to move and speak. However, you will be in a deep state of relaxation and will feel drowsy. Most people have little to no memory after their dental procedure. With this type of dental sedation, you will need a ride to and from your dentist appointment. It takes several hours to take effect.
Nitrous Oxide
Also known as laughing gas, this is a type of dental sedation in which you breathe in gas through a mask on your nose. This mild sedative helps you relax and feel more comfortable during dental treatment. You will remain awake and responsive throughout the whole appointment so that you can respond to any instructions.
The benefit of using nitrous oxide is the rapid onset of the effects. Also, once the mask is removed, the effects stop right away. Laughing gas has been used for many years in the dental field to help adults and children receive the dental treatments they need to remain healthy.
What is Sleep Dentistry Like for the Patient?
Each patient’s sedation dentistry experience will vary. It will depend on the type of sedation they choose to use and their response to the medication.
Almost all patients will generally feel relaxed and calm during the procedure. Some feel drowsy to the point they falls asleep. However it is not medication that is making them fall asleep.
During the treatment, our dental staff will monitor your vital signs to make sure you are safe at all times. We will be able to communicate with you and ask you questions to make sure you are okay.
After your appointment, you will need time to recover from the sedative side effects. You will feel groggy and may need to rest for a few hours. Most patients will remember very little, if anything at all, from their dental appointment.
Is Sedation Safe?
Yes, we ensure sedation is as safe as possible for our patients. We will recommend the best sedation method based on your age, the medications you take, and any medical conditions. These factors can impact treatment.
For example, some methods of sedation are safer for children. We often recommend laughing gas for younger patients. Our office easily controls the amount of sedation. We can reverse the effects by supplying more oxygen through the mask.
Additionally, we will not recommend some sedation methods for patients with certain medical problems. For example, if you have kidney, liver, or metabolism issues, we will not recommend oral conscious sedation. We cannot track how long it will take for the medication to take effect.
We will not recommend laughing gas if you fear breathing through a mask or have breathing problems. In addition, we will take note of any allergies before treatment. If you have an allergy to our anti-anxiety medications, we will recommend another treatment method. We are dedicated to your health and safety in our office.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Discover more about sedation dentistry in our Allen, TX, dental office with answers to these common questions:
Will I be asleep under sedation?
No, you will not be asleep under laughing gas or oral conscious sedation. However, you will feel relaxed.
With laughing gas, you’ll feel light and comfortable, but you’ll still be able to talk and respond to your dentist. It’s a mild sedation, and its effects wear off quickly once the gas is turned off, so you can go about your day right after your appointment.
With oral conscious sedation, you will take a pill before your appointment. This will make you feel relaxed and a bit drowsy, but you’ll still be awake and able to follow instructions. You might not remember much of the procedure afterward, but you’ll be alert and responsive.
What are the benefits of sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry offers several benefits that can make visiting the dentist easier and more comfortable, especially if you feel nervous about dental work. Here’s how it can help:
- If you feel anxious or afraid of dental treatments, sedation can help you relax.
- Sedation can reduce discomfort and make you feel less pain.
- Reduces the gag reflex.
- Makes long appointments more comfortable.
- Helps our dentist complete more work in a single visit.
Can children get sedation during dental treatments?
Yes, children can receive sedation during dental treatments if needed. Sedation can help kids stay calm and comfortable, especially if they feel anxious or scared about visiting the dentist. It also helps children who may have a hard time sitting still for a long time or who need more complex dental work.
Before sedation, our dentist will talk to parents about the child’s health and needs to make sure it’s safe. He will explain how it works, what to expect, and any special instructions for before and after the appointment.
Can I drive myself home after being sedated for a dental procedure?
If you’ve had nitrous oxide (laughing gas), the effects wear off quickly, so you might be okay to drive in some cases. But for oral sedation, the drowsiness can last for several hours. You’ll need someone to drive you home and stay with you until the effects fully wear off.
Will sedation help if I have dental anxiety?
Yes, sedation can be very helpful if you have dental anxiety. Many people feel nervous or even afraid when they visit the dentist, and sedation can make the experience much more comfortable. With sedation, you’ll feel relaxed and calm during your appointment, so you won’t be as worried.
Which health conditions can prevent me from getting dental sedation?
Some health conditions can make dental sedation unsafe. Tell our dentist about your medical history before you decide on sedation. Here are some conditions that may prevent you from getting dental sedation:
- Respiratory issues like asthma or sleep apnea
- Heart problems such as heart disease or high blood pressure
- Liver or kidney disease
- Allergies to sedatives
- Pregnancy, especially in the first trimester
- Obesity
Can I eat before sedation?
You can eat before you get laughing gas. If you get oral conscious sedation, you can’t eat six to eight hours before treatment. This helps prevent nausea and makes the sedation work better.
What are the side effects of nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation?
After nitrous oxide, you may feel lightheaded or a bit dizzy. You may feel a little sick to their stomach, but this is rare. A mild headache can sometimes happen after the treatment. You can feel very tired after the gas wears off, but it usually goes away quickly.
After oral conscious sedation, you will feel very relaxed and sleepy. You can also experience a dry mouth. You might not remember parts of the procedure or feel a little fuzzy afterward.
Learn More about Sedation Dentistry in Allen, TX
Get comfortable, relaxing dental care and prevent anxiety at your next visit. Before your dentist appointment, you should discuss your sedation options. Allen Dental Center is happy to help each patient.
Schedule an appointment at our office today. Contact us at (972) 727-3941 to learn more about your sedation options in Allen, TX. Let us know if you have any questions about your treatment. We’re here to help you.