Inhalation of nitrous oxide in dentistry. A little girl at a dentist's appointment. Relaxation of the patient before surgical or dental procedures. Children's modern dentistry. The concept of healthcare. Horizontal orientation of the photo.
We may recommend this for people undergoing more extensive treatment options, such as dental implant placement or tooth extraction. But this is also helpful if a patient has dental anxiety, which could prevent them from undergoing even minor treatments. Likewise, if they have special needs or an overactive gag reflex, this could make the treatment experience a calm and comfortable one.
We have three different dental sedation options; how do we choose the right one for you? We will take a number of different factors into account, including your weight, medical history, age, any medications you are currently taking, and your anxiety levels or special needs. With this information, we can choose the right calming agent for you!
The most commonly prescribed option is a mild form known as nitrous oxide, or laughing gas. The patient breathes this in through a mask over the nose and enters a deep state of calm and euphoria. They remain conscious and able to respond to the periodontist as needed, but will likely have no memory of the procedure. The sedation levels can be adjusted during treatments and then end once the procedure does, so patients can drive themselves home or even return to work or school.
Should a patient need a deeper state of calm, we have an oral sedation that is taken in pill or liquid form prior to the procedure. The treatment will take place in the morning and patients need to avoid food and drink for a few hours beforehand. They enter a deeper state of calm with no memory of the procedure. The effects take time to wear off, so have someone on hand to bring you home.
The deepest form is IV, and is administered intravenously. The patient enters a deep, sleep-like state with no memory of the procedure. The effects again will take some time to wear off, so someone needs to be there to bring you home. If you have any questions about how we ensure a calm and enjoyable visit with dental sedation, then contact our team today to learn more.
Our team is ready to offer care to manage your periodontal disease and even address missing teeth. To learn more about our calming medications, call Dr. Ann Kania in Encinitas, CA, today at 760-642-0711.
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