Do you feel anxious about sitting in the dentist’s chair? You can opt for dental sedation – many people do. Talk to us to learn about the different kinds of sedation available and we’ll help you decide which technique meets your needs. 

What is Sedation Dentistry? 

Sedation dentistry offers several techniques to give patients a calm and comfortable dental experience. It is important to understand that dental sedation is not part of the pain management during your visits. 

Anesthesia is used for pain management. If getting a shot of Novocain is frightening for you, we can give you laughing gas to help you calm down. Some procedures make you sleep and when you are awake, you may not remember receiving any treatment at all. 

What Are the Different Types of Sedation? 

Laughing Gas 

Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) is an easy way to relieve a patient’s anxiety. When using it, you will remain conscious. We use a nasal attachment that allows you to breathe in the gas. The effect is mild and kicks in about 30 seconds.

Since it’s a gas, the effect wears off almost as soon as you stop breathing it in. Using this method allows patients to drive themselves home after the treatment. 

Oral Sedation 

Another term for this method is ‘conscious sedation’. It involves taking certain medications before the treatment. The timing of taking a sedative depends upon the type being used. Some need to be taken the night before, while others are taken an hour before the procedure. 

With oral sedation, you will be wide awake while the procedure is done, but you will feel calm and relaxed. Patients who need a higher form of sedation benefit from this alternative. 

Although wide awake, most people who take an oral sedative remember nothing about the procedure. You will feel sleepy the rest of the day, and the effects will wear off by the next day. 

Patients are required to have a ride home from the office when using this procedure. It’s important to plan ahead and arrange for someone to drive you to our office and wait to take you home afterwards.

Intravenous Sedation 

In IV sedation, you are conscious but not aware of the surroundings. Also called ‘Twilight Sedation’, patient’s remember little to none of the procedure when it’s over. 

General anesthesia is another alternative, but it is least used in dental treatments. It’s sometimes used for patients who need significant oral surgery. You will need to be in a specialized clinic with an anesthesiologist to administer the anesthesia. 

What Sedative Should I Use? 

Talk to us about your fears and concerns so we can give you options to manage your anxiety. Your Chandler dentist will give you a recommendation that is suitable for your situation and level of fear.