Stress-Free Appointments at Central Texas Dental Care
Dental anxiety is a more common issue than most people realize, preventing up to 20% of patients from seeking the care they need to maintain a healthy smile. If you’re one of these patients, we’ll happily offer sedation to help you relax in the dental chair.
We feature three sedation options for you to choose from, depending on your specific needs.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, is the most common form of dental sedation. It’s administered through a small mask that we place over your nose, and you’ll feel the effects within moments of breathing it in.
Nitrous oxide delivers a wave of euphoria to your body, helping you stay relaxed throughout your procedure. You’ll remain conscious the whole time, though you’ll have no memory of the treatment later. Best of all, we can reverse the effects of nitrous oxide almost immediately, so you’ll be able to drive yourself home.
Oral Sedation
For oral sedation, you’ll take a pill an hour or two before your procedure that will kick in by the time you arrive at our office. You’ll be awake and responsive throughout your treatment, though you won’t remember it later, much like nitrous oxide.
For this method, it’s important to notify your doctor in advance if you’re pregnant, have a liver condition, or are taking additional medications. You’ll also need to arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment. This is to ensure your safety, as oral sedation involves taking medication before you arrive and the effects don’t always wear off immediately.
IV Sedation
Our third and final option is IV sedation. This involves delivering a blend of medications directly to your bloodstream through an IV tube. You’ll feel the effects almost immediately and remain in a state of deep relaxation until the end of your procedure. As with the other methods, you won’t fully lose consciousness, but you won’t remember the treatment later.
This method makes it easy for our doctors to control your level of sedation, allowing them to adjust your dosage as needed. They’ll also monitor your vital signs throughout the appointment to ensure your safety. Please note that you’ll need a ride home if you choose this method, as the effects of IV sedation can linger for an hour or two after treatment.
Learn More about Sedation
If you have any questions about sedation, or if you need help deciding which option is best for you, contact our Hewitt practice and schedule a consultation with one of our dentists. They’ll be happy to discuss each method in detail and help you make an informed decision.