While people have many reasons for why they don’t visit the dentist, anxiety and fear are actually some of the leading ones. While we do everything possible to create a warm and welcoming environment, Dr. Brice understands that poor experiences with previous dentists can ruin every future visit, especially if they occurred at a young age. With three different levels of sedation available, you don’t have to sacrifice your oral health simply because of fear. Contact our office to learn which strength of sedation can most benefit your next appointment!
Are you looking for a sedation option that does not involve needles or the use of a nasal mask? If so, oral conscious sedation may be worth considering. With this sedation method, staying relaxed in the dental chair is as simple as taking a pill. You’ll be able to stay calm and comfortable while your teeth are being treated, but you will remain awake and able to respond to any instructions that our team gives you.
Oral conscious sedation involves the use of particular types of medication that can help you enter an advanced state of relaxation. It simply requires you to take a prescribed pill shortly before your appointment. The effects should kick in within a matter of minutes, so you should already be deeply relaxed by the time your treatment begins.
There are multiple types of medication that can potentially be used for oral conscious sedation. Common examples include Valium, Ativan, and Halcion. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions about the medication that our practice uses.
You’ll be given detailed instructions regarding when to take the pill. Since the effects will likely kick in before you even get to our office, you should have a trusted adult drive you to your appointment. This same person will need to take you home afterward since the effects of oral conscious sedation generally take hours to completely wear off.
While under the effects of the sedative, you’ll find that you are unbothered by anything that’s going on around you. In some cases, you may even be relaxed enough to doze off; if that happens, our team will be able to awaken you easily.
Whether oral conscious sedation is a good fit for you depends on your unique situation. We will need to review your overall health history very carefully before we move forward with any form of sedation dentistry.
In general, you may be a viable candidate for oral conscious sedation if:
For those with milder levels of anxiety, nitrous oxide is a great option. Not only is it fast-acting, but the effects also dissipate almost instantly, which prevents you from having to arrange for someone to drive you to and from your visit. If you are interested in learning more about this calming solution, don’t hesitate to reach out to our San Antonio dental team or read on!
Nitrous oxide is safe for patients of all ages. So, if you struggle with mild anxiety, a sensitive gag reflex, a fear of needles, or head/neck/jaw pain in the treatment chair, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us! From there, we can review your medical and dental history as well as learn more about your dental needs and smile goals. If we determine that you’re a good candidate, then we will add nitrous oxide to your treatment plan. If you aren’t a good candidate because you’re pregnant or you have a medical condition that makes it difficult to breathe through your nose, like asthma, then we will explore the other options available.
As we mentioned above, nitrous oxide is incredibly fast-acting, making it ideal for those who want to feel the relaxing effects of dental sedatives as soon as they begin their appointment. Once you arrive at our office and settle into the treatment chair, we will put the nasal mask in place and turn on the nitrous oxide. After a few minutes of breathing in the odorless, colorless gas, you will feel a wave of relaxation, alleviating any stress, worry, or anxiety in the process.
Important reminder: Nitrous oxide does not put you to sleep. You’ll be completely at ease, but able to respond easily to verbal cues we give you or ask any questions you have throughout your time in the treatment chair.
Of course, one of the biggest benefits of nitrous oxide is that the effects start to dissipate as soon as we remove the nasal mask. As a result, you don’t need to take the rest of the day off work or arrange for someone to drive you home from your appointment. To put it simply, this calming solution makes it easy to continue your day – no matter what you have planned!
For those with severe levels of anxiety or fear that make it very difficult to get treatment completed, IV sedation can be provided entirely in-house. Keep in mind that while this method of sedation is the strongest available in dentistry (and some patients do fall asleep after receiving it), it is not designed to put you to sleep like general anesthesia. You’ll still be able to speak with the dentist directly, receive instructions, and inform us of your comfort levels so we can make on-the-fly adjustments as needed.
If you're a candidate for sedation dentistry, it is safe when administered by a trained dental professional, like Dr. Brice. Dental sedation is safe for most patients with good health. Dr. Brice will learn more about your medical history and any medications you're taking to look for anything concerning. He will choose the safest sedative for your needs. Generally, nitrous oxide is the safest for children and adults.
Each sedative causes a different experience while in the dentist’s chair. You're more likely to remember your procedure if nitrous oxide is used, but it's not unusual for your memory to be fragmented with oral conscious sedation. You will probably have little or no memory of your appointment if IV sedation is used.
It depends on the type of sedative used, but here's what you can expect with the most popular options:
Dr. Brice can use a local numbing agent along with a sedative if necessary. You won't have any pain during your treatment, but depending on the procedure, your mouth may be tender after the numbing medication wears off. You can manage it with an over-the-counter pain reliever and applying a cold compress. Dr. Brice may have additional aftercare instructions, like eating soft foods. Dr. Brice will keep your comfort as his top priority, so you don't have to worry about a painful day in the dentist’s chair.