Sedation Dentistry

Sedation Dentistry in Plain City Provides a Relaxing Dental Experience

Does the mere thought of going to the dentist stress you out? You are not alone. About 36 percent of people in the United States have dental anxiety, also known as dental fear. About 12 percent of those people experience an extreme fear of the dentist. Dental anxiety can prevent you from getting the dental care you need for optimal oral health. 

Sedation dentistry, also known as sleep dentistry, can help you relax while you get the dental treatment you need for healthy teeth. It can also help you undergo especially lengthy or complex dental procedures without pain or stress.

Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

Most people with dental anxiety are good candidates for sedation dentistry. You may be a good candidate for sleep dentistry if you:

• Tense up before your dental visit
• Are afraid of needles
• Experienced a traumatic dental visit in the past
• Struggle with the noises, sights or smells you may encounter at a dentist's office
• Have overly-sensitive teeth, trouble getting or staying numb, or a strong gag reflex
• Require a more complex or especially lengthy dental treatment
• Feel self-conscious about having work done on your teeth
• Want to feel more comfortable during your dental treatment

Plain City Dentist Offers Personalized Sedation Solutions

A relaxing, positive experience is essential for good dental care, and sedation dentistry helps you relax as much as possible while you are in our care. 

We understand that every patient is different, and the sleep dentistry that works for you may not work for another person. What’s more, the type of sedation used may depend on the specific procedure you need to undergo. To ensure that you receive the best possible care, we’ll work with you to determine which approach to dental sedation is right for you. 

Our Plain City dentist offers several sedation options to offer you a relaxing, safe, world-class treatment to keep you comfortable during your next dental procedure.

Nitrous oxide

Also known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide makes treatment more comfortable for those who experience dental anxiety. Dentists have been administering nitrous oxide to anxious patients since 1844, making laughing gas a mainstay of quality dental care. 

To administer nitrous oxide, your dental professional will place a mask over your nose and mouth then ask you to breathe deeply. Your anxiety will melt within moments, replaced by a feeling of relaxation. You will not fall asleep, and you’ll be able to ask and answer questions. You may even giggle a little! 

Nitrous oxide is safe, effective, and requires a short recovery time, as the effects wear off almost immediately after your dental team removes the mask. Since nitrous oxide is safe and effective, you can benefit from using laughing gas for everything from regular cleanings to more advanced dental procedures. 

IV sedation

Intravenous (IV) sedation involves the administration of sedation through a vein in your arm. IV sedation delivers a steady flow of medication that keeps you sedated throughout your treatment. 

To administer IV sedation, we’ll gently insert a needle into your arm. Next, we’ll apply an oxygen mask to ensure proper breathing and start the flow of medication. We’ll monitor your vital signs throughout the procedure, and administer reversal medications as needed. 

IV sedation provides a deeper level of sedation. You may fall completely asleep, but still be able to ask and answer questions. You will likely feel groggy for several hours, so plan on taking the rest of the day off. You’ll also need to have a ride home from our office.

Oral sedation

Oral sedation comes in the form of a pill, or in some cases, a liquid that you take by mouth about an hour before your procedure. Oral sedation makes you feel drowsy and relaxed; you may fall asleep but can be aroused. It will likely take the rest of the day for the sedation effects to wear off. 

Sedation dentistry is safe

When administered by trained dental professionals, sleep dentistry is safe and effective for most types of dental treatments. Without dental sedation, patients’ blood pressure may rise to dangerous levels. With sedation, though, blood pressure stays within safe levels to make treatment even safer. 

How long is recovery time from sedation dentistry?

Your recovery time depends on the type of sedation used and your personal response. We always recommend that our patients arrange for transportation to and from treatment when sedation dentistry is used. We also recommend that our patients avoid driving, drinking alcohol, or operating machinery in the hours following sedation dentistry. 

For more information on sedation dentistry, consult with our dentist in Plain City. We want to help you overcome dental anxiety and get the dental care you need for a great smile.