Sedation Dentistry in Dallas, TX
It is common for people to experience various degrees of anxiety in anticipation of dental procedures, yet few are aware of the simple solution of conscious sedation. Of course, local anesthesia can effectively numb specific tissues prior to a procedure, and traditional analgesics can effectively relieve post-procedural pain.
But these methods are often not enough to eliminate anxiety, which renders the entire experience a real trial. Fortunately, the doctors at Dallas Dental Arts are able to combine traditional medications with special anti-anxiety agents such as nitrous oxide and sedatives to eliminate pain and worry, while maintaining patient responsiveness to voice and touch.
Sedation dentistry can offer the perfect solution for maintaining your dental health while assuring complete relaxation. We recommend sedation dentistry for patients who have high anxiety about being at the dentist or for patients who are anxious and nervous about the dental procedure they are undergoing. We also recommend sedation dentistry for complex dental procedures that last several hours, since it is typically easier not only for the patient but for our dental team as well.
Types of Sedation
From the convenience of our Dallas dental office, we offer inhaled sedation, also known as nitrous gas or laughing gas, as well as oral sedation, and intravenous sedation.
Inhaled sedation is also known as nitrous oxide. This is used when a patient wants to relax in the dental chair due to mild anxiety. It has no lasting effects following administration, so it lets patients leave with a clear system.
Oral sedation in dentistry is a procedure where medication is taken orally. Oral sedation helps ease dental anxiety and enables patients to relax while still being alert and able to respond to the dentist easily. Patients will need an escort home and someone to care for them the rest of the day.
Intravenous sedation is a procedure where the doctor starts an IV and administers drugs that help the patient relax completely. With IV sedation, the patient is in a sedative state, but is still responsive. After undergoing IV sedation, you are required to have an escort take you home and care for you the rest of the day.
Pre-Sedation Instructions
For oral sedation and IV sedation, wear loose-fitting clothes the day of surgery, do not eat or drink anything except for water starting at midnight the night before surgery, take medications as normal especially if they are for high blood pressure or diabetes.
Post-Sedation Instructions
When your treatment is completed, you will be escorted to your car by a member of the Dallas Dental Arts team. Then your companion will take you home. Take the rest of the day off to sleep and relax. You may eat, but we recommend avoiding foods that are heavy or greasy.
The next day, you will feel refreshed and glad you visited Dallas Dental Arts for the health and beauty of your smile!