Sedation Dentist Carrollton
Soothe Your Dental Anxiety
Have you ever avoided going to the dentist purely out of fear or anxiety? If you have, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that as many as 20% of American adults have put off going to the dentist because of anxiety. Because dental fear is so common, modern dentistry has advanced to include sedation dentistry. This special kind of medication can soothe your dental anxiety to allow you to receive the care you need without any worries or pain. If you have been avoiding the dentist due to fear, give us a call today to ask how sedation dentistry in Carrollton help alleviate your anxieties.
Why Choose DD Family Dentistry of Carrollton for Sedation Dentistry?
- Available for Any Procedure
- Gentle Yet Effective Options
- Dental Insurance Welcome & Flexible Financing Available
Nitrous Oxide
For patients who want a soothing and relaxed dental experience, our dentists offer inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide. We give it to patients who want to stay awake during the procedure so that they can respond to requests and directions during the treatment. We monitor the sedation level during treatment, and the effect of nitrous oxide usually wears off within a few minutes after the mask is removed. Patients are generally able to drive home after their appointments.
What is Nitrous Oxide?
Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a mild form of sedation that involves inhaling a safe mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. Because the solution takes effect within minutes, you will feel more relaxed and at ease throughout your appointment. Not only will nitrous oxide allow you to overcome your fears and regain control of your oral health, but it will allow your sedation dentist to do their job more effectively.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Most patients who express concern about an upcoming dental appointment can benefit greatly from nitrous oxide. When talking to Dr. Durga about your worries, she will likely recommend this type of sedation if you:
- Have a past, traumatic dental experience
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Experience difficulty sitting still for long periods of time
- Express mild or moderate dental anxiety
It is important to explain your medical history and current health status with our team, as there are instances when a patient should not receive nitrous oxide, such as:
- Being pregnant
- Having high blood pressure
- Taking certain medications
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Before starting your dental work, our team will place a nasal mask over your nose, which will allow you to inhale the nitrous oxide and oxygen mixture. We will have complete control over how much is administered and can easily adjust the dosage throughout your visit, if necessary.
Within minutes of inhaling the nitrous oxide, you will become light-headed and feel as if you are floating. Although you may feel as if you are preparing to fall asleep, you will remain in a dream-like state but be cognizant of any cues your dentist or dental team provides.
This added feeling of comfort and relaxation will help you remain calm and pain-free while our dentists complete their work.
What to Expect After Nitrous Oxide
Once the dentist has finished, we will turn off the nitrous oxide, which will cause the effects to dissipate within minutes. The best part about nitrous oxide is its ability to allow patients to resume normal activity immediately following their appointment. Since you will not need anyone to escort you to and from your appointment, you will be free to leave once we determine the effects have worn off and you do not need any special accommodation.
General Anesthesia/ Sleep Dentistry
Should you, your child, or a loved one with special needs suffer from severe dental anxiety or require multiple treatments, we can suggest general anesthesia. Also known as sleep dentistry, this is a great option for anyone with complex oral needs. This form of hospital/OR-based sedation is closely monitored by our anesthesiologist so that you remain safe and comfortable throughout your treatment.
Oral Conscious Sedation
People skip their dental appointments more often than you’d think because of dental anxiety or fear. At DD Family Dentistry of Carrollton, we want nothing more than to make your visits as comfortable as possible. If that means seeing a sedation dentist to complete your treatments, so be it! It’s one of the reasons why we offer oral conscious sedation, ensuring no one in your family has to feel anxious just to protect their oral health.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
Oral conscious sedation is considered a moderate-strength sedative for those who suffer from moderate to severe levels of anxiety. The sedative comes in the form of a pill, which is generally taken a few hours ahead of your appointment. This ensures the sedative has time to take effect before you begin your treatment.
Not only does oral conscious sedation make you feel incredibly relaxed (and euphoric in some instances), but it can also make it difficult to remember large portions of your appointment. This is ideal for those who struggle to complete treatment due to the stimuli associated with dental offices. We’ll make sure that your dosage is designed with your body weight in mind so that the proper effects take place.
Am I a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
To confirm if oral conscious sedation is right for you, it’s important that you speak with our office ahead of your appointment first. In most cases, we may recommend sedation services if you:
- Suffer from anxiety or dental phobia
- Have a strong gag reflex
- Have a low tolerance to dental work in general
- Need multiple treatments
- Are bothered by stimuli common in dental offices (i.e., sights, sounds, smells, etc.)
Additionally, if you have a family member with cognitive disabilities that makes it difficult for them to receive dental care, sedation can make the process significantly easier. Our team members will be by your side every step of the way to ensure you’re feeling comfortable and at peace during your visit. After all, your feelings are just as important as your oral health and the treatment you need to have completed.
What Should I Expect After Treatment?
Keep in mind that due to the strength of oral conscious sedation, you’ll need to have a friend or family member drive you to and from the practice. Furthermore, you should not resume normal activities until the sedation has had time to wear off. If needed, you should take time off work for the rest of the day and avoid operating vehicles or other heavy machinery. In most cases, sedation can take several hours to fully dissipate, so it’s important to have someone who can keep an eye on you for the rest of the day.
IV Sedation
People skip their dental appointments more often than you’d think because of dental anxiety or fear. We want nothing more than to make your visits as comfortable as possible. It’s one of the reasons why we offer oral conscious sedation, ensuring no one in your family has to feel anxious just to protect their oral health.
What is IV Sedation?
IV dental sedation is specifically administered directly into the bloodstream via a small needle inserted into your arm or the back of your hand. This method allows for the sedative to work through your body in a matter of moments, as you’ll quickly feel as though you’re drifting off to sleep. While you’ll technically remain conscious with IV sedation, you likely won’t even remember what occurred during your appointment. In fact, some patients often feel like they fell asleep throughout their procedure! This can be a much safer alternative to general anesthesia, as you’ll still be able to respond to simple instructions, albeit without registering any of the sights, sounds, or sensations that might cause discomfort.
During your appointment, our team will closely monitor your vitals while you’re sedated. We’ll be able to adjust your levels if needed to ensure you remain safe and comfortable throughout the procedure. In most cases, patients undergoing IV sedation will stay still for lengthy periods, allowing us to perform multiple or extensive treatments. Since you’ll feel groggy after your appointment, you’ll need to have someone take you to and from the dentist’s office. You’ll likely spend the rest of your day relaxing, as the sedative will wear off after several hours.
Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?
Although IV sedation is powerful and can keep you completely relaxed during your dental procedure, it isn’t a good option for everyone. Those who are very young or elderly patients will most likely benefit more from nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation. Patients who are breastfeeding, have certain illnesses, or who are taking specific medications may not be eligible for this method of sedation. In most cases, IV sedation is ideal for those who suffer from severe dental phobia or require lengthier, complex procedures, such as dental implants. It’s also best for patients who don’t respond well to numbing agents or have difficulty staying still for long periods in the examination chair.
The Benefits of IV Sedation
IV sedation offers a variety of advantages, including:
- Remaining comfortable while receiving necessary dental care
- Completely personalized dosage that can be adjusted at any time for optimal safety
- Undergoing several or extensive procedures in one appointment
- No memory of anything that happened during your appointment
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is sedation dentistry safe?
When nitrous oxide sedation, oral conscious sedation, or IV sedation is administered by a highly trained and experienced professional, sedation dentistry is extremely safe. No matter what type of sedation you receive, our experienced staff will monitor you throughout your treatment to ensure you are as comfortable and safe as possible.
Will I feel any pain with dental sedation?
While sedation dentistry is not used specifically as a pain reliever, it does help alleviate practically all forms of discomfort during dental treatment, both physically and emotionally. Sedation can help you avoid the soreness of sitting in the dental chair if you have back problems or TMJ dysfunction, the unpleasant sensations of dental work being performed, and the mental distress of facing your fears. You shouldn’t feel any pain or sensitivity with dental sedation. Additionally, we will likely numb your mouth with a powerful and reliable anesthetic.
Who shouldn’t get sedation dentistry?
Practically anyone nervous or uncomfortable at the dentist’s office for any reason can be a good candidate for sedation dentistry. However, there are situations where we may not recommend it, such as if you:
- Are pregnant
- Have obstructive sleep apnea
- Are currently experiencing nasal congestion
- Have breathing problems or respiratory illness
- Are at-risk due to certain other medical conditions
We will always thoroughly review your medical history and current health beforehand to ensure that sedation dentistry is a safe and effective choice for you.
Which type of sedation is right for me?
We offer three levels of sedation dentistry so each patient can get exactly what they need. Every option comes with its own advantages and drawbacks, and not every patient is a good choice for every type of sedation. Nitrous oxide is the lightest form of sedation, while oral conscious sedation is moderate, and IV sedation is considered the most powerful. During your consultation, we’ll determine which options you are a candidate for and fully explain all your choices so you can make a well-informed decision.
Will sedation dentistry put me to sleep?
One of the reasons why sedation dentistry is so safe is that it does not put you to sleep. You’ll be conscious enough to answer our team’s questions and respond to simple instructions. However, it often feels like dental sedation puts you to sleep. You’ll feel relaxed, content, and at ease— sometimes you may even doze off during your treatment— and you will continue to feel groggy with oral conscious and IV sedation for the rest of the day. Plus, you are unlikely to remember any of your treatment.