Sedation dentistry has truly transformed the realities of dental treatment for many kinds of dental patients. Our Toluca Lake sedation dentists actually offer a number of different type of sedation so that we can connect the patient with the appropriate level and type of sedation. Today we are going to review three popular and effective sedation treatments.
You have probably heard of laughing gas, over the years—this treatment is also called nitrous oxide inhalation. Nitrous oxide makes the patient feel calmer and relaxed. You may even find that you feel a little giggly. Nitrous oxide is inhaled by the patient when he or she is in the dentist’s chair—the effects are almost immediate. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly post-treatment.
Another popular sedation option is called oral conscious sedation. When you choose oral conscious sedation, you’ll actually take a small pill about an hour before your appointment is set to begin. This pill goes to work in your system, helping you to feel calm and confident before you even step into the dentist’s office. Because you’ll be under the effects of sedation prior to your appointment, you will need someone to bring you into the office. Oral conscious sedation is a great option for people who suffer from severe dental anxiety, as well as dental patients who are undergoing potentially painful and/or multi-phased treatment. As the name suggests, oral conscious sedation never renders the patient unconscious; however, the medication does have amnesic effects, so you probably won’t remember much after treatment.
The strongest type of sedation is Intravenous (IV) sedation. This is only used for quite invasive procedures. IV sedation does cause the patient to become unconscious, so the patient is monitored throughout the treatment process.
Our Toluca Lake sedation dentists have all of the information that you need in order to make a good decision for your smile and your peace of mind. Call our office to schedule a personal consultation, and take a look around our website to learn more about our sedation philosophy!