Sedation Dentistry – Gilbert, AZ
Feel More Relaxed In The Treatment Chair
Do you have a fear of the dentist or just aren’t able to comfortably sit in the treatment chair during your appointments? Dr. Condie offers several different sedation methods to help you relax while you’re receiving the dental care you require. Our team knows just how much this can impact patients’ experiences, which is why we strive to always create an environment that’s welcoming, understanding, and ready to accommodate you whenever you need it. To request sedation dentistry from our Gilbert, AZ sedation dentist at your next appointment, contact our front desk today!
Why Choose Desert Springs Dental Group for Sedation Dentistry?
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General Anesthesia
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Friendly & Understanding
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Sedation For
Gag Reflexes
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas,” is a fast-acting sedation method that is administered while you’re sitting in the treatment chair. Before we start your procedure, we’ll place a small nose mask on your face that will administer a colorless, odorless gas that you can breathe in. Once the effects kick in, you’ll feel yourself relax and become more comfortable. This common sedation method is ideal for patients with any level of dental anxiety.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Sedation dentistry is an excellent option for many patients who feel uncomfortable when visiting the dental office. Nitrous oxide sedation is typically recommended for patients who:
- Have a fear of needles
- Have anxiety related to the dental office
- Suffer from tooth sensitivity
- Have difficulty sitting still
- Struggle to become numb
If any of the things above can be used to describe you, or there is another reason why you think you could benefit from nitrous oxide sedation, let Dr. Condie know. It may be exactly what you need to feel comfortable during your dental treatment.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Before your treatment starts, we administer the nitrous oxide through a small mask that will be placed over your nose, and all you have to do is breathe like you normally would. We will adjust the flow of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas, which is clear and odorless. After a couple of minutes, you will feel a euphoric wave come over you, allowing you to relax and feel more comfortable.
Once the full effects of the nitrous oxide have kicked in, we will begin the dental treatment. As soon as we’re done, we will remove the mask and turn off the gas. Just as quickly as you felt the effects of the gas, they will go away, and you will feel like your normal self.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
The effects of the nitrous oxide won’t linger, so you only need to hang around for a few minutes until you feel back to your normal self. You are even able to drive yourself home from the office. The majority of patients are able to continue with their day, including work, school, or whatever else you have in store. Be sure to follow any recovery instructions provided to you for the treatment that you received.
IV Sedation
If you have a longer procedure or severe anxiety, IV sedation may be a great method to help you feel more at ease in our dental office. We’ll administer the sedation directly into your bloodstream via an IV. The effects will begin taking place within a few minutes and can take the rest of the day to wear off. That’s why it’s important to have a trusted friend or family member ready to pick you up and drop you off from your appointment.
What Is IV Sedation?
IV sedation is administered intravenously, or directly into the bloodstream. This allows for the effects to kick in more quickly than other forms of sedation. During this process, the patient remains conscious, but they don’t usually remember anything from the procedure. This is because the patient is in a deep state of relaxation – even more so than nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation can provide. We monitor the patient’s vitals the entire time. Since the effects can take up to 24 hours to wear off completely, the patient needs to organize for a trusted friend or family member to drop off and pick them up.
Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?
IV sedation is most commonly used in oral surgeries and long procedures. It can help to lessen high levels of anxiety and phobias associated with the dentist. Additionally, people that have an overactive gag reflex, TMJ dysfunction (TMD), or other neuromuscular issues that may make it more difficult to keep their mouth open for a long period of time can often benefit from IV sedation as well. Before your treatment, we will take the time to discuss your anxiety levels, health history, and any medications that you’re taking to determine if IV sedation is an ideal solution to meet your needs.
The Benefits of IV Sedation
There are numerous benefits that you can experience by opting for IV sedation. Here are some of the most prominent:
- The effects take place very quickly because it is administered directly into the bloodstream.
- IV sedation allows the patient to receive dental treatment despite dental anxiety.
- The dental team controls the flow of medication, so the patient experiences a constant state of relaxation.
- The deep state of relaxation that IV sedation provides helps to prevent additional stress-related, negative dental memories that can make seeking future dental treatment more challenging.
Sleep Dentistry
General anesthesia will ensure that you won’t feel a thing throughout any procedure or appointment. Because you won’t be conscious with this sedation method, it’s often referred to as “sleep dentistry”. Throughout your treatment, you’ll remain completely still, and our team will continuously monitor your vitals to make sure that you remain safe while under anesthesia. To learn more about sleep sedation, contact our dental office today.
Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry
Oral conscious sedation in Gilbert is a safe and effective way to reduce nerves and ensure a positive dental experience. Ideal for individuals who suffer from moderate dental anxiety or who are undergoing more extensive procedures, this pill medication works quickly to create a sense of relaxation, allowing the patient to feel more at ease and the dentist able to complete necessary treatment safely.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation involves taking a pill that is prescribed by our dental team. Designed to be taken before your appointment, the fast-acting medication works to help you feel relaxed, comfortable, and completely at ease by the time you are ready to undergo treatment. Because of how quickly this type of sedation produces effects, it is essential that you have someone take and pick you up from your appointment.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
Once you take the prescribed medication, you might think it will put you to sleep, but this is not true. Instead, while you might feel as if you are entering into a deep slumber, the reality is that you will remain conscious enough to respond to the cues of our dental team.
When taking oral conscious sedation, it is normal to feel euphoric and even slightly warm. Some patients also claim they remember little, if anything, from their appointments. This is a great benefit if you have had past trauma at another dentist’s office or simply do not like the idea of receiving dental work in general.
Once treatment is complete, you will be required to return home with the help of a family member or friend who will drive you from your appointment. It can take up to 24 hours for the effects to fully dissipate before you can expect to resume normal activity.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
When meeting with your sedation dentist in Gilbert, it’s important that you discuss your complete medical history as well as any medications you are currently taking. Knowing whether there might be any conditions or medicines that could potentially interact or interfere with the success of oral conscious sedation is essential.
If you are cleared of any potential concerns regarding your health history, you can expect us to ask why you think you might benefit from this type of treatment. If you suffer from any of the following, there is a good chance you’ll be considered a candidate for oral conscious sedation:
- Mild or moderate dental anxiety
- A sensitive/strong gag reflex
- Are preparing to undergo multiple or complex dental procedures
- Difficulty keeping your mouth open for prolonged periods
- Difficulty sitting for long spans of time
- Past dental trauma
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Sedation dentistry is safe for most patients with good overall health. Some underlying conditions or medications may increase your risk of adverse reactions. Your sedation dentist in Gilbert will learn more about your health history to ensure dental sedation is safe for you. Generally, nitrous oxide is the safest solution, including children. No matter the type used, you will be monitored closely for the duration of your appointment for your well-being.
What Does Dental Sedation Feel Like?
Your experience with dental sedation will differ depending on the type used. Nitrous oxide is an inhaled sedative that takes effect quickly. As you inhale the sedative, you will become very relaxed and your body may feel warm. Your extremities may tingle or feel numb. Some patients also get the giggles. It's not unusual to doze off, but you won't be rendered unconscious. You'll feel completely normal within a few minutes of the nasal mask’s removal. IV sedation effects are stronger. It's delivered intravenously, so it will take effect quickly. You'll sleep through your appointment and have little to no memory of your experience. It can take several hours for the effects to wear off, so you'll need someone to drive you home.
Will I Feel Any Pain with Dental Sedation?
Dental sedation can be used with numbing medication, so you will not have any outright pain. At most, you may experience some pressure or unusual sensations. Depending on your procedure, your mouth may be sore for a few days after the effects of any medications wear off. You can manage it with an over-the-counter pain reliever and eating soft foods. Your dentist will review any additional aftercare instructions before you go home.
Does Dental Sedation Cause Memory Loss?
Nitrous oxide can cause fragmented memory loss, but it is more likely with IV sedation. This can be a great side effect for patients who have had negative dental experiences in the past. It can also benefit patients with dental fears or phobias. Don't worry, you won't lose any core memories, only your time in the dentist's chair.
