If the idea of going to the dentist makes you a little uneasy, you’re not alone. Approximately 1 in 3 adults have at least some form of dental anxiety or phobia. Even if you’re not necessarily “afraid” of the dentist, the idea of routine dental work could be unsettling enough that it interferes with the treatment your smile needs to stay healthy. If looking to relax through your dental treatments, reach out to our Randolph sedation dentist today.
Should I Get Dental Sedation?
Sedation dentistry is excellent for people who:
If you know you need treatment or feel hesitant about scheduling care, feel free to request dental sedation at any time. Our Randolph dentists are more than happy to assist you with a positive and relaxing experience.
Types of Dental Sedation
Dickerson Dental Group offers oral conscious sedation and nitrous oxide.
Oral Conscious Sedation
This type of sedative makes it feel as if you’re taking a light nap or daydreaming through your appointment. While you’ll be semi-conscious, there’s a good chance it will feel as if you’re sleeping. The medication used with oral sedation is also an amnesiac, meaning you probably won’t remember much about your appointment!
What to Expect
For oral sedation appointments are typically scheduled first thing in the morning. It’s best not to eat or drink anything so that there’s nothing in your stomach. Sometimes medication is given to take the night before. Otherwise, you’ll take it about one hour prior to your scheduled procedure. A second dose may be administered, depending on the level of sedation we’re hoping to achieve.
Due to the nature of sedation medications, it’s important that you have a friend or family member accompany you to the appointment. It will take a few hours for the medication to wear off, so they’ll need to be able to drive you home and keep an eye on you until you feel like yourself again.
The effects of oral sedation are predictable enough that we can plan for several procedures to be completed in one appointment. As a highly experienced sedation dentist, Dr. Erik will conduct a thorough medical screening and take special steps to ensure your safety at all times.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is a safe and effective sedative agent used by dentists to help patients relax during dental procedures. Nitrous oxide works by reducing your perception of pain and helping you to feel more relaxed. It is important to note that nitrous oxide does not put you to sleep – you will be able to hear and respond to the dentist’s instructions throughout your procedure.
What to Expect
Nitrous oxide is administered through a small mask that is placed over your nose. You will begin to feel the effects of it typically within a few minutes, and the sedative effect will peak within 10 minutes. Once the dental procedure is completed, the nitrous oxide is turned off and the oxygen is turned on, which helps to flush the nitrous oxide out of your system. You will then be able to drive yourself home and resume your normal activities. It is important to note that nitrous oxide does not put you to sleep – you will be able to hear and respond to the dentist’s instructions throughout your procedure.
Say Goodbye to Dental Anxiety
Dental sedation can help you get your smile’s health back on track and easy to manage. Contact Dickerson Dental Group today to learn more about sedation dentistry in Randolph.