Modern dental science and routine oral health checkups have allowed countless millions of people to keep their teeth in excellent condition for life. Unfortunately, many people have phobias, anxieties, or other issues that make receiving needed dental treatments difficult. Here’s a brief guide to a few forms of dental sedation, how they work, and what it is like to receive them.
Here’s What You Shouldn’t Expect
If you’ve watched cartoons in the past century, you’ve probably seen a few comedic portrayals of dental patients receiving sedation treatments like laughing gas. Though it can be quite funny to watch an animated character experience wacky hallucinations or blab all his embarrassing secrets to a gossipy hygienist during dental sedation, these depictions of the process are not true to life.
While you may feel lightheaded while sedated, you will not perceive things that are not there and you will not be compelled to reveal any information you would not divulge normally. Even in the extremely rare case of a patient saying something silly or careless during treatment, the dentist will never reveal what was said.
What to Expect During Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, has been used for more than a century to help patients receive dental treatments comfortably. Inhaling this odorless gas will make a patient less sensitive to distress and induce a lightheaded sense of calm, and it has no lingering side effects. This can allow a patient to easily sit through an intensive procedure such as a dental filling or receive a routine checkup despite issues like a sensitive gag reflex or difficulty sitting still.
While some patients may experience temporary nausea or dizziness when receiving laughing gas, these rare issues and any other effects should disappear within minutes of the treatment ending. Patients can expect to be able to drive themselves home or back to work afterward.
What to Expect During Oral Conscious Sedation
If you need a stronger sedation treatment than nitrous oxide, your dentist may recommend oral conscious sedation. This treatment involves your dentist prescribing a sedative pill to be taken briefly before your procedure begins. If you take the pill as instructed, its effects should kick in by the time you are in your dentist’s chair, and while you will be awake and able to respond to instructions, you will be less sensitive to discomfort and rather drowsy throughout the process.
You won’t be able to operate heavy machinery after receiving oral conscious sedation, so it will be necessary to arrange for a trusted individual to drive you home afterward. You may have difficulty remembering the procedure, which may be preferable for some patients who do not enjoy dental appointments.
Sedation dentistry has made proper dental care more pleasant and accessible for millions of patients. Consulting with your dentist can help you find out if either of these treatments are right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Mitchell earned his dental degree at Baylor College of Dentistry and has served as President of the Dallas Academy of General Dentistry. His is also a fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry and a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. His office in Dallas offers general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry as well as dental sedation services. To learn more about what dental sedation may be able to do for you, contact his office online or dial (972) 233-1311.
