We understand that many patients are nervous about their treatment. Others have a physical condition that makes it difficult for them to remain still during their appointments. To help such individuals, we offer three types of sedation dentistry: oral conscious sedation, nitrous oxide sedation, and general anesthesia. Keep reading to learn more about how we can use these methods to enhance your experience at New Haven Dental Group.
Sedation dentistry is a term that refers to any of a number of methods that are used to sedate patients during dental treatment. Sedation techniques involve administering certain types of medications that produce a calm, relaxed sensation. Sedation is suitable for most patients who:
The three types of sedation available at New Haven Dental Group are:
Nitrous oxide is the mildest form of sedation that we offer. All you have to do is inhale through a special nasal mask, and you will start to feel relaxed! We often use this form of sedation for patients with mild dental anxiety, as well as those who are not easily numbed by local anesthesia. It is safe for most people, including children! Due to its relatively simple nature, it is also one of the more affordable forms of sedation.
Nitrous oxide is safe and suitable for a wide range of patients. It might be a good fit for you if:
Nitrous oxide can be used on patients of virtually all ages. However, it might not be right for patients who are pregnant, as well as those who have certain allergies or respiratory conditions. Our dental team can consult with you to figure out the best way to help you enjoy a comfortable care experience.
Nitrous oxide does not involve the use of any needles or pills. We simply place a small mask on your nose. Through it, you inhale a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. Within moments, you should start to feel relaxed. You might also experience a giddy or floating sensation. We can adjust your level of sedation throughout your procedure to keep you comfortable. Once we finish your treatment, the nasal mask will be removed, and within minutes, you should feel completely alert. It should even be safe for you to drive yourself home.
Even though the effects of nitrous oxide wear off quite quickly, we will still ask you to stay in our office for a few minutes so we can monitor you as the sedative leaves your system. Some patients experience mild nausea or a headache following exposure to nitrous oxide, but such effects usually go away in a short time.
Nitrous oxide will not stop you from resuming your normal activities, but if you need invasive dental treatment, you might need to go home and rest as part of your recovery. Be sure to follow our team’s instructions so you can minimize your risk of post-op complications.
Benefits of sedation dentistry include:
The cost of sedation will depend on which method we use. Nitrous oxide tends to come with the lowest price, while general anesthesia is more expensive. Dental insurance usually does not cover sedation unless it is determined to be a medically necessary part of a procedure; for example, it is standard practice to use sedation as part of some types of oral surgery. Our team will give you an estimate for the cost of your sedation, and we can help you apply to finance your entire procedure, including the sedation, with CareCredit if necessary.
Would you like to learn more about sedation dentistry and how it may benefit you? Get in touch with one of our dental offices today.
Are you interested in being sedated for your next dental procedure? You may find the idea appealing, but you likely still have questions about what you can expect with sedation dentistry. That is why we have compiled the following list of frequently asked questions, along with their answers. If you do not see the information you were looking for, you are welcome to contact our team directly so we can personally satisfy your curiosity.
You might drift off to sleep while you are under oral sedation. However, the medication will not make you unconscious. It will be easy for us to awaken you with a gentle shake, and you will retain enough alertness to be able to answer our questions or respond to our directions. The only form of sedation that is designed to produce unconsciousness is general anesthesia.
How fast oral sedation works will depend on the specific medication used, as well as your individual metabolism. Most people start to feel its effects within 30 – 60 minutes. We will not rush the beginning of your treatment; we will make sure you are relaxed before we begin your procedure. Other types of sedation, such as nitrous oxide and general anesthesia, begin to take effect almost immediately.
The medications used in oral conscious sedation are quite potent. The pill you take will slow down your reaction times and make you feel drowsy, and its effects may linger for around 24 hours. Hence, it will not be safe for you to drive after your appointment. You should have a friend or family member ready to take you home and run any necessary errands for you until the sedation wears off completely.
It will also be unsafe for you to drive after being under general anesthesia. However, if you are sedated with nitrous oxide, you may be able to drive yourself home.
Nitrous oxide has three main effects: It calms anxiety, it produces a feeling of euphoria or giddiness, and it kills pain. To ensure your comfort during procedures, we typically use local anesthetic along with nitrous oxide so you will feel little to nothing while we work to care for your teeth and gums.
After your procedure, you will be given some time to wake up from the general anesthesia and regain awareness. Usually, this takes 45 – 60 minutes. Some grogginess or other side effects may linger longer than that. Also, keep in mind that even though you may feel alert after a relatively short period of time, your reflexes may still be slowed. That is why you should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or even cook during the first 24 – 48 hours after you come home from your appointment.
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