Sedation Dentist Cleburne
Take the Stress Out of Your Dental Care
When you come to Long Family Dental of Cleburne, you can trust that you’ll be comfortable the entire time you’re in our care. If you, like many, feel nervous about going to the dentist’s office, we can use soothing sedation dentistry to make that anxiety quickly disappear. We offer a number of different methods that can be personalized for each patient. Whether you just need a little help getting through routine visits or are completely terrified of a much-needed procedure, sedation dentistry in Cleburne can easily remove any obstacles between you and a healthy smile.
Why Choose Long Family Dental of Cleburne for Sedation Dentistry?
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Nitrous oxide, often referred to as “laughing gas,” is a simple and effective way to help minor dental fears go away. A patient inhales the odorless gas through a small mask placed over the nose, and after a few minutes, they should feel warm, happy, and serene. The mask stays on for the entire visit, and after it comes off, the patient should feel completely normal and be able to go straight back to their day. To learn more about this method of sedation dentistry, continue reading!
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.
Oral Conscious Sedation
If you experience mild to moderate dental phobia, your dentist can prescribe you a pill to take the day of your appointment that will completely relax you both inside and out. Under this kind of sedation, most patients remain awake, but their visit seems to fly by very fast, and they often have little to no memory of it afterwards. In fact, this method is so potent that we require that you have a friend or family member drive you to and from our dental office the day of your appointment.
IV Sedation
We normally recommend IV sedation for patients with extreme dental fear, those who need extensive dental work, or those who want multiple procedures completed in a single appointment to save time. A sedative is administered directly into the bloodstream, which will quickly send a patient into a deep state of relaxation. One of the best parts about this method is that we can actually adjust a patient’s sedation level in real time, guaranteeing they remain comfortable every moment they are in the chair.