Do you have dental anxiety, or a real fear of the dentist? Do you have a family or child with special needs? These are examples of factors that make undergoing even minor treatments a difficult process. To help keep our patients calm and comfortable, your Leawood, KS, dentist will offer three different dental sedation options. Which one is right for you, and how do we choose the best calming agent for you or a member of your family?
Reasons to Receive a Calming Agent
When do we prescribe dental sedation for our patients? We may suggest this for people undergoing oral surgery or more extensive and complex treatment options. This could include tooth extraction, dental implant placement, or jawbone grafting or sinus lifts. This could also be beneficial for people who have special needs or high levels of anxiety that make undergoing even minor procedures like a cleaning a difficult process. We want you to obtain the smile you deserve, and we can use this to help those with dental fears and other complications, so you can smile with confidence again!
The Factors We Look At
Our team will take a number of different factors into account when suggesting one of our sedation options. For example, we will look at your age, weight, and medical history. We also assess your dental anxiety, and will talk about any special needs you or a member of your family may have. With all of this information, we will suggest the right calming agent. We will also have a trained anesthesiologist on hand to monitor you or your family member, and ensure proper sedation levels are being maintained. We have three different options available to help you stay calm and relaxed when you visit the office.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a very common option, and is often referred to as laughing gas. We will administer the gas through a mask over your nose. You inhale it and enter a state of calm and relaxation. You will be conscious and able to respond to the dentist as needed, but will likely have little to no memory of the procedure. The effects begin right away and end as soon as the procedure does, and can be adjusted throughout the procedure. You can often return to work or school, and can even drive yourself home afterward.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is a deeper state of calm provided in liquid or pill form prior to the procedure. You will need to avoid food and drink in the eight hours prior to treatment, and will likely start treatment in the morning. The effects take a little bit of time to begin, and we will start treatment once they do. You will enter a deep state of calm but still stay conscious enough to respond as needed. The effects will take time to wear off completely, so you will need a friend or family member on hand.
IV Sedation
The deepest form of calming available is IV sedation, administered intravenously into your bloodstream. As with oral sedation, you will need to avoid food and drink for a few hours prior to the procedure. You will enter a very deep state of calm, and will have little to no memory of the procedure at all. A trained anesthesiologist will be on hand to watch your heart rate. The effects will again take time to wear off completely, so you will need to have someone available to bring you home afterward.
With these options, we will provide detailed aftercare instructions and prescriptions for any necessary medications for the healing process. If you have any questions or concerns about our calming agents, or if you’re ready to schedule a visit for your or a member of your family, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you enjoy optimal oral health, and that begins with a simple exam and consultation. Talk to us soon! Summer break is a great time for families to undergo treatment, since kids don’t have to miss school and risk falling behind in class.
Talk To Your Leawood, KS Dentist About Your Dental Anxiety
Contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 to learn more about our calming solutions! We don’t want your anxiety or special needs to stand between you and the healthy, strong smile you deserve. If you have any concerns we didn’t address in today’s blog, please feel free to reach out. We’re here to help your family with preventive and general care, as well as dental prosthetic placement and lifelike dental restorations.
