Sedation Dentistry – Gilbert, AZ

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.

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.

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