Sedation dentistry plays a crucial role in modern dental care because it can improve patients’ experiences at dentist appointments. Dental sedation enhances comfort and lowers patients’ anxiety during dental services. Longview Family Dental offers sedation dentistry in Longview, TX, to help make it a little easier for patients to receive the dental care they need.
Sedation helps those who suffer from dental anxiety or fear of the dentist. This condition has prevented many patients from getting the care they need. When you address your dental fears, you can improve your dental health.
How Can Sedation Dentistry Help Me?
Sedation can help you in several ways:
- Reduces Anxiety: If you feel nervous or anxious about going to the dentist or receiving certain procedures, dental sedation can put you in a relaxed and calm state.
- Minimizes Discomfort: It helps in managing pain and discomfort during dental treatments, making the experience more bearable.
- Enhances Cooperation: Sedation helps the appointment run smoothly and quickly, making people who fear the dentist or struggle to stay still more cooperative.
- Improves Efficiency: Complex procedures that require a lengthy time can be performed more efficiently as long as the patient remains calm and cooperative.
- Memory Gaps: Sleep dentistry can leave the patient with little to no memory of the procedure, which can help those with severe dental anxiety.
We recommend dental sedation for patients with:
- Dental Anxiety or Fear: If you feel nervous or afraid when you visit the dentist, sedation can help you relax and feel more comfortable.
- Difficulty Sitting Still: Sedation can help patients who find it difficult to stay seated or calm in the dental chair through longer procedures.
- Sensitive Teeth or Gums: If your teeth or gums are especially sensitive, it can help reduce discomfort and make the process less stressful.
- Complex or Long Treatments: We can help you feel more at ease throughout treatments that take a long time or involve multiple steps.
- Strong Gag Reflex: If you have a sensitive gag reflex, sedation can make dental work more manageable for you and your dentist.
- Low Pain Tolerance: We can help keep you relaxed and pain-free during your visit if you find it hard to handle even minor discomfort.
Dental sedation is a great option for patients of all ages. Whether you have a dental phobia or lengthy dental care, we’re here to ensure your comfort.
Removing Pain and Anxiety from Your Dentist Appointment
Sedation dentistry has proven to help dentists and patients by addressing the pain and anxiety some patients feel during a dentist appointment. Sleep dentistry can effectively place you in a deep, relaxed state during a dental procedure. The result is a stress-free visit for you and your dentist.
While the pain is still there, you will be in a deep state of relaxation and will not react to it. Your dentist can treat you without worrying about your fear or pain, allowing for you to receive all the treatment you need. There is no need to avoid the dentist anymore.
What is Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is a colorless, non-flammable gas with a slightly sweet odor and taste. Dentist offices have used it for many years as a safe and effective sedation option. This form of sedation dentistry is an excellent way to manage pain and anxiety.
Before your dentist begins treating you, we will place a mask over your nose. This is how the gas is administered. You will inhale the nitrous oxide during the entire appointment. When your treatments are done, we will remove the mask. The effects of the gas will wear off quickly.
What is it like to use Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative that will allow you to remain awake and responsive. However, you will feel incredibly relaxed and less nervous about your dental procedures.
After you inhale the gas, it takes effect quickly. You will feel euphoric, relaxed, and maybe sleepy. You may experience some tingling in your arms and legs or a slightly heavy feeling. However, you will remain awake, alert, and able to communicate with our dental team. You will be able to follow directions but be relaxed enough that you won’t feel pain.
We can adjust your level of sedation at any time during the procedure. This is a major benefit of this type of sedation. Also, the effects wear off quickly once we remove the mask. You do not need someone to drive you to and from our office. Instead, you can drive yourself home after the appointment.
Is Sedation Safe?
Yes, dental sedation is safe when provided by a trained dentist. Also, before treatment, we will carefully evaluate your medical history, current health, and any medications you take to ensure sedation is a good option for you. We know that problems like sleep apnea and allergies to certain medications can impact your treatment. Our office will ensure you are a good candidate for sedation beforehand.
During the procedure, our dentist monitors your vital signs, which include your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, to keep you safe. We can easily reverse the effects of laughing gas by providing more oxygen if needed.
Sedation also is so safe that children can get dental care with laughing gas. We provide the right amount of sedation for your child based on their age and weight. As with other patients, we monitor your child to ensure they stay comfortable and safe.
Contact Us Today to Learn More About Sedation Dentistry in Longview, TX
If you think you may benefit from nitrous oxide, contact us today to discuss using it during your dentist appointment. We provide sedation dentistry for patients in our Longview, TX dental office. We help our patients who suffer from dental anxiety, fear of the dentist, or who need a lot of dental work done. Request an appointment online to get started today. You can also call 903-662-7811.
Let us know if you have questions about treatment. We’ll be here to help you.