As many as 79 percent of people in America suffer from fear and anxiety about visiting the dentist—and many of them don’t obtain vital dental care because of that. Dr. Todd Mabry and Dr. Colleen Murphy, our experienced dentists in Scottsdale, fully understand the nervousness people feel at the prospect of dental work. That’s why we offer sedation dentistry options here at our practice. Whether it is utilized for porcelain veneers, dental implants, or simply a routine dental check-up, sedation (sleep) dentistry can make your experience with us as relaxing and pleasant as possible. We offer non-invasive oral sedation and nitrous oxide sedation techniques to help you feel completely comfortable during your treatment. In fact, you may not even realize the procedure was performed until it is complete!
Oral Conscious Sedation
Conscious sedation is a way for you to experience virtually painless dental treatment without being totally unconscious during the procedure. There are no I-V anesthetics involved—you will be given medication before your treatment that will put you in a very relaxed state. Oral conscious sedation makes it possible for you to avoid feeling discomfort or pressure during the procedure; however, you will be able to communicate with our doctors and their assistants. Sedation dentistry can help if you are:
- Anxious about needles, dental treatments, and dentists in general
- Affected by sensitive teeth and gums
- Uncomfortable hearing the sounds of dental instruments
- Uncomfortable with the tastes associated with dental procedures
- Anxious about dental conditions that may require long treatment processes
What to Expect from Oral Conscious Sedation
Before your procedure, you will take medication that will ultimately give you a feeling of deep relaxation. Once your procedure begins, you should not feel a thing. You will not be unconscious, and you will be able to talk; however, you will be so relaxed that you may not even remember the procedure has taken place once it’s finished.
It can take several hours for the effects of conscious sedation to completely wear off, so it is important to arrange for someone to take you to and from our practice for treatment, as you will be too drowsy to drive.
For both the health of your teeth and gums and the appearance of your smile, regular trips to the dentist are extremely important. It’s very common and very understandable to have some “dental anxiety,” but with sedation dentistry, our dentists can help to alleviate your fear of dental visits and provide you with effective treatment and a more pleasant experience.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide sedation, often referred to as laughing gas, is a popular sedation method used in dentistry. This technique combines the sedative material with oxygen so it can easily be inhaled. Nitrous oxide is not designed to put you to sleep, which means you will be awake though in a very relaxed state. This allows you the ability to respond to our professionals throughout the duration of your treatment. Nitrous oxide sedation can offer multiple advantages to patients who suffer from dental anxiety. This can include a combination of the following benefits:
- Helps manage pain, gag reflexes, and anxiety
- Significantly reduces discomfort during your treatment
- Creates a comfortable and relaxed feeling
- Puts you at-ease without causing you to fall asleep
What To Expect From Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Before your treatment begins, a mask will be placed over your nose. You will be instructed to breathe normally through your nose, sending the nitrous oxide into your system. After a few minutes, the sedative should begin to take effect. You may feel light headed or a tingling sensation throughout your body. Overall, our patients report feeling very calm and at-ease.
Once your dental treatment is completed, the mask will be removed. The relaxing effect should begin to fade at this point, and you should gradually feel more like yourself as it continues to wear off.
Contact North Scottsdale Dental Studio
For more information on sedation dentistry, or to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors, please contact North Scottsdale Dental Studio today. We will be happy to answer your questions.