Do you or a family member have special needs or anxiety that makes undergoing dental care a difficult process? Do you have concerns about your upcoming restorative procedure or oral surgery? Our team can help kids and adults alike with dental sedation. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, family dentist talks about sedation dentistry and how we choose the right option for you!
Choosing the Right Calming Treatment for You
We want to ensure that you and every member of your family can receive the care you need, even if you have a fear of the dentist. To get started, our team will talk to you about your anxiety levels and how you feel about seeing the dentist. We don’t want to minimize any fears you may have, and instead we want to ensure you feel welcomed and comfortable regarding treatment. To choose the best calming option, we will look at medications you’re taking, your medical history, age, weight, and of course, your anxiety levels. We also take the extensiveness of the procedure you’re undergoing into account, as the option will differ between a crown placement and a dental implant placement. Our team will then select one of our calming agents to help ensure your experience is a positive one.
Nitrous Oxide
Also known as laughing gas, this is one of the more common options we prescribe, one that is safe for kids and adults alike. A mask is placed over the nose and you will inhale a gas that helps you enter a state of relaxation. You remain cuscus however, and can respond to the dentist as needed, but likely will have no memory of the procedure. The effects occur immediately, and will end once the procedure does, so you can drive yourself home or even return to work or school.
Oral Conscious Sedation
With oral conscious sedation, we offer a deeper state of calm by combining nitrous oxide with anti-anxiety medications in pill or liquid form. This will be administered before the procedure begins and you enter a more substantial state of calm, with little to no memory of the procedure, while still remaining conscious. The effects will take time to wear off completely, so be sure you have a friend or family member on hand to take you home.
IV Sedation
The deepest form of sedation available is the IV option, which is administered intravenously. You will be monitored by a professional anesthesiologist the entire time, and will enter a very deep state of calm with no memoir of the procedure. Again, the effects take time to wear off, so make sure a friend or member of your family is available to take you home afterward.
Your Dallas, TX, Dentist Wants Provide a Positive Visit
Don’t let your dental anxiety stand between you and the shining smile you deserve, talk to our team about our treatment options. For more information on our calming solutions, then please schedule a consultation by calling the Viva Dental Family Dentistry office nearest you at (214) 337-7800 (Dallas) or (972) 437-6000 (Richardson).
