Sedation Dentistry - Cleburne, TX

Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation?

Nitrous oxide sedation is widely used because it’s suitable for almost any patient, including children, teens, adults, and older adults. It is generally recommended for patients who:

• Have sensitive teeth, gums, or gag reflex
• Feel nervous or anxious during appointments
• Do not respond well to numbing medication
• Experience pain in the neck, shoulder, back, or other areas while in the dental chair

Nitrous oxide sedation can be a safe and effective option unless you are breastfeeding, have certain medical conditions, or are experiencing nasal congestion. Before recommending nitrous oxide sedation, we will discuss your concerns and review your medical history to ensure it is the best and safest choice for you.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation Work?

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is a colorless, odorless gas administered through a small mask placed over your nose. This gas gently slows down brain activity, often creating a dreamlike state. Many patients feel so relaxed and at ease that they may even giggle occasionally, which is how nitrous oxide earned its nickname.

While under nitrous oxide sedation, you’ll remain conscious and able to respond to simple questions and follow instructions. You might drift into a light sleep and may not remember much of the appointment afterwards. Throughout the procedure, we will closely monitor your breathing and heart rate, adjusting the sedation level as needed to ensure your safety and comfort.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation

Several factors influence how long the effects of nitrous oxide will last, such as your size, the amount inhaled, and whether you’ve eaten before your appointment. Generally, the effects of nitrous oxide sedation fade within a few minutes after removing the mask, allowing you to resume your day without interruption. You may experience short-term effects like dizziness, fatigue, or nausea, but these typically subside once you regain alertness.

What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?

As its name suggests, oral conscious sedation involves the use of a prescription pill that you swallow shortly before your treatment is scheduled to begin. No masks or needles are involved! Within about 15 minutes or so, you should start to feel the effects of the medication, and you can expect to remain comfortable and relaxed throughout your appointment. Various types of sedatives can be used for oral conscious sedation, including Valium, Ativan, and Halcion.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

Here are some important points to keep in mind about the oral conscious sedation experience:

• You may feel drowsy, and you might drift off to sleep. However, total unconsciousness will not occur. It should remain easy for our team to awaken you with gentle stimuli.
• The effects can linger for several hours after your appointment. You should avoid driving and other tasks that require a high level of concentration until the medication completely wears off.
• You may not remember anything about your treatment once the sedative wears off.

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

We may recommend oral conscious sedation if:

• You struggle with mild to moderate dental anxiety or fear.
• You have a sensitive gag reflex.
• You have medical conditions that make it difficult for you to remain still for long periods of time.
• You are not easily numbed by local anesthesia.
• You have had traumatic dental care experiences in the past.
• You are free from contraindications that would make oral conscious sedation inadvisable for you. For example, it is not generally used for pregnant individuals or people with certain allergies or respiratory conditions.