Sedation Dentistry Dallas
Helping You Relax While We Restore Your Smile
No matter your age or dental problem, we are committed to listening and better understanding your situation and story. We know that many patients may be fearful of the dentist’s office, but sedation dentistry can be a big game-changer. We never want you or your family to feel nervous or scared when visiting our Dallas dental office, so call us to schedule an appointment to discuss how our sedation dentistry options can help.
Why Choose Woodhill Family Dental for Sedation Dentistry?
- North Dallas Dental Practice Trusted for Over 35 Years
- Focus on Conservative & Gentle Dentistry
- We Prioritize Building Positive Relationships with Our Dental Patients
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide is a mild form of sedation that is safe to use and easy to administer, creating a sense of calm within minutes. Odorless and colorless, nitrous oxide’s mild effects come on quickly and dissipate just as fast, allowing you to resume normal activity immediately following your visit.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is commonly used to help patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety achieve comfort and ease during treatment. When you take a prescribed pill before your appointment, you will enter a deep state of relaxation well before our dentists begin administering your dental care. Because of the potency of this approach, you will need someone to drive you to and from your visit.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral sedation in Dallas delivers a calming, comfortable effect for anxious patients, enabling them to receive the dental care they need to enjoy life with better oral health. The medications used include Valium, Ativan, and Halcion – our team at Woodhill Family Dental will determine which is prescribed. No matter which option is used, we will ensure it is safe to ingest by reviewing your medical history during a scheduled consultation.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
Before your appointment, you will receive instructions on when to take your prescribed sedative. This will ensure that you feel more at ease once you are seated in the dentist’s chair. Although you will not be unconscious throughout treatment, you can expect to enter a deep state of relaxation and be unbothered by what your dentist is doing to improve your smile.
You may begin to doze off, but our team can easily wake you if we need you to respond to a question or cue.
Once treatment is complete, you will need to have someone drive you home, as the effects will take time to fully wear off. It is best to spend the remainder of your day at home, resting and following any post-procedural instructions you receive from our team.
Who is a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Determining whether you are a good candidate for oral conscious sedation means meeting with Dr. Horton to discuss your candidacy. Not all patients should receive dental sedation; however, if you experience any of the following, there’s a good chance you will be cleared for this type of treatment:
- You have a physical disability that makes it difficult to remain still for extended periods.
- You experience moderate to severe dental anxiety.
- You require multiple dental services in a single appointment.
- You have a sensitive gag reflex.
- You cannot be numbed easily with local anesthesia.
- You have suffered past dental trauma.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is sedation dentistry safe?
For most people, sedation is a perfectly safe option. The majority of people handle nitrous oxide sedation without any issue, so it is the safest for the highest number of people. Before deciding whether to administer sedation, our dental team will go over your medical history and current medications to find out if there is a possibility of any negative interactions. While you are being sedated, we will closely monitor your vitals at all times to ensure that you are perfectly safe the entire time!
Will I Remember Anything with Dental Sedation?
Most dental sedatives are designed to keep you awake for the procedure, but depending on which drug you use, you still might not have much of a memory of it. This is much more common in the cases where a stronger sedative is used. For instance, you’re likely to remember less under the influence of oral conscious sedation than in the case of nitrous oxide. If you have extreme dental anxiety, forgetting most of the procedure can be a good thing. However, if the idea of not remembering your treatment makes you uncomfortable, a milder sedative, like nitrous oxide sedation, may be a better option for you.
What Does It Feel Like to Be Sedated at the Dentist?
What you’ll feel under the influence of sedatives depends on the variety you’re using. Nitrous oxide tends to make patients feel light and bubbly, thus the moniker “laughing gas.” You’ll feel relaxed, giggly, and may experience some pleasant tingling in the extremities. Oral conscious sedation is the opposite in many ways. You’ll still be very relaxed, but patients also tend feel a bit “heavy.” Given the strength of the sedative, you might even accidentally doze off during the procedure.
Is Sedation Dentistry Worth It?
If you have severe dental anxiety or more extensive dental work to get done, sedation can make your procedure much more comfortable and tolerable. Even if you are concerned about the cost, keep in mind that putting off much needed dental care can result in the need for even more expensive and invasive treatment in the future. By getting sedation now, you can save lots of money in the long run.