Do you feel anxious about an upcoming dental visit or avoid the dentist because of your stress and fear? Dental sedation is a highly effective way to help patients manage dental anxiety and make dental visits more comfortable. Sedation dentistry in our Edmonton, AB, dental office is part of our general dentistry services. Reliance Dental offers sedation to reduce stress and anxiety and help anxious and fearful patients get the dental care they need.
The Benefits of Dental Sedation
Sedation can make lengthy or uncomfortable procedures more bearable. Patients are less likely to feel discomfort, which can ease anxiety about pain. Unlike general anesthesia, patients remain awake and responsive but are in a deeply relaxed state. This allows for easy communication with the dentist if needed.
Many sedation options can lead to little or no memory of the procedure so patients avoid anxiety over the experience. Oral medications taken before the appointment help calm nerves. Patients often feel more at ease and less fearful about dental work. Most patients have little to no memory of the procedure. It can benefit those with past traumatic dental experiences.
Oral sedation can take several hours to wear off completely. When using it before a dental procedure, you will need to have someone bring you to the appointment and take you home afterward.
If you have dental anxiety, discussing options with our dentist can help you find the right solution for a more comfortable visit.
Types of Dental Sedation
Dental sedation helps you stay calm and comfortable during dental visits. It’s especially helpful if you feel nervous or need a long procedure. Different kinds of sedation are available, and we’ll use the right type based on what you need and how comfortable you want to feel:
Laughing Gas (Nitrous Oxide)
Laughing gas is a gentle form of sedation that helps you feel relaxed while staying fully awake. You breathe it in through a small mask placed over your nose. It works quickly and helps reduce anxiety or fear during treatment. Once the mask is removed, the effects go away quickly. Most people feel normal again within minutes and can safely drive home afterward.
Oral Conscious Sedation
With oral sedation, you take a pill before your dental appointment. This type of sedation can help you feel very calm, and in some cases, sleepy.
Although you will still be awake, you may feel so relaxed that you don’t remember much of the procedure. Some people even feel like they were asleep. Because the medicine takes time to wear off, you will need a trusted adult to drive you to and from your appointment and stay with you afterward.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is given through a vein in your arm or hand. It works quickly and allows us to adjust the level of sedation throughout the procedure. You may feel like you’re drifting in and out of sleep, and you might not remember much, if anything, about the treatment.
We often use this option for more involved dental work or for patients with high anxiety. You’ll need someone to take you home and stay with you until you feel fully recovered.
Aftercare
Taking care of yourself after dental sedation is important for a smooth and safe recovery. How you feel afterward depends on the type of sedation you received. If you had nitrous oxide (laughing gas), the effects wear off quickly. You may feel a little lightheaded at first, but breathing fresh air can help. Most people can go back to normal activities right away.
If you had oral or IV sedation, recovery will take longer. You’ll need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for a few hours. Don’t drive, use heavy machinery, or drink alcohol for the rest of the day. The best thing you can do is rest. Take it easy and relax until the sleepy feeling goes away.
Here are a few more tips to help you recover:
- Rest: After your appointment, go straight home and take it easy. Avoid doing any work, school activities, or exercise for the rest of the day. Getting plenty of rest helps your body heal.
- Eat Soft Foods: Your mouth might feel numb or sore. To avoid discomfort, eat soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow. Good choices include soup, yogurt, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and smoothies. Stay away from hot foods and drinks until the numbness goes away so you don’t burn your mouth.
- Take Medicine as Directed: Our dentist may give you medicine to take after treatment. Follow the instructions exactly. If you only have mild pain, we’ll recommend over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Is Sedation Safe?
Dental sedation is safe when administered by a trained professional. Before we recommend treatment we will review your medical history and current medications. We’ll also monitor your vital signs like heart rate and oxygen levels during treatment.
Before your appointment, tell our dentist about:
- Your sleep apnea diagnosis
- Any CPAP or BiPAP machine you use at night
- Other breathing conditions, like asthma or COPD
We can work with your sleep doctor to create the safest plan. Dr. Chandy will recommend the right method for you based on your age and health. For example, he’ll recommend nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for children because this is the mildest option with few side effects. We’ll also be careful with patients who have breathing problems or sleep apnea.
Our office will recommend laughing gas if you have mild sleep apnea. It wears off quickly and won’t affect your breathing as much as other options. Our dentist will also give you pure oxygen afterward to help clear it from your system.
We only recommend oral sedation or IV sedation for moderate cases with careful monitoring. Our office will avoid deep sedation for patients with severe sleep apnea.
Can I Get Sedation if I Have Anxiety?
Yes, dental sedation is commonly used to help patients with anxiety feel more relaxed during dental procedures. Many people feel nervous about visiting the dentist. Sedation can make the experience much easier.
Before your appointment, talk to our dentist about your anxiety and any concerns you have. He can explain your sedation dentistry options in Edmonton, AB, and help you choose the best one for your needs.
Our office may also recommend that you follow these tips to help you feel more comfortable in our office:
- Ask us questions about treatment
- Bring headphones to listen to music
- Have a friend or family member come with you to your appointment
Schedule a Consultation
Feel comfortable at the dentist with sedation dentistry in our Edmonton, AB, dental office. We want you to have a more pleasant experience in our office. Our staff is compassionate and takes the time to inform patients about what to expect.
Call Reliance Dental today at 587-840-9984. You can also request an appointment with us online.