Dental Sedation Options:
Nitrous Oxide: Also known as "laughing gas", nitrous oxide can assist in relieving minor anxiety by relaxing the patient. During dental treatment, the patient is relaxed in the office while breathing nitrous oxide. Once the administration of nitrous is stopped the effects are gone within a few minutes so there is no interuption to daily activities. Nitrous oxide is a great option if you have slight anxiety about dental treatment. If can also be a wonderful adjunct to other forms of anxiety control.
Anxiolysis: For patients with mild anxiety and fear of dental procedures, premedicate with oral medications that create minor sedation. Anxiolysis allows the patients to tolerate their dental treatment without anxiety. Nitrous oxide may also be used as an adjunct to these medications.
Step 1: Patient takes a mild sedative the night before the procedure (Patient will not eat for 6 hours prior to appointment)
Step 2: Patient is driven to the office an hour before their appointment and takes another pill before their appointment
Step 3: Procedure is completed while the patient is completely relaxed. Patient will have minimal or no memory of their procedure
Step 4: Patient is driven home by a companion who will stay with the patient for the remainder of the day
Oral Conscious Sedation:
For patients with more severe anxiety, severe gag reflexes, complicated medical history or a history of bad experiences, oral conscious sedation is a wonderful option. It allows us to complete multiple procedures in a minimal number of appointments. Many patients can have all their treatment done in one appointment while they are completely relaxed. Patients remember very little about their appointments when complete.
Step 1: Patient takes a mild sedative the night before the procedure (Patient will not eat for 6 hours prior to the appointment)
Step 2: Patient takes another sedative an hour before their procedure
Step 3: Patient is driven to the office by a companion
Step 4: Patient is evaluated in the office and additional medication given as needed for the patients comfort
Step 5: Procedure is completed while the patient is completely relaxed. Patient will have minimal or no memory of the procedure
Step 6: Patient is driven home by a companion who will stay with the patient for the remainder of the day
For more information or to determine if you are a candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation, please reserve an appointment with us today.