Sedation Dentistry

Do you need dental work, but the mere thought of sitting in a dentist's chair terrifies you? You are not alone – many people experience dental anxiety, especially when it comes to complicated or lengthy procedures. Fortunately, our dentist in Bellbrook offers dental sedation to make your dental experience more comfortable and pleasant. 

Also known as sleep dentistry, sedation dentistry helps you feel calm and relaxed. Some forms of sedation dentistry make you feel sleepy. Compared to general anesthesia, like you would receive before surgery, sedation dentistry offers a moderate level of sedation that does not fully render you unconscious.

Because it involves the use of sedatives, administering sedation dentistry requires special expertise. Our Bellbrook dentist has undergone extensive training in the administration of all forms of sleep dentistry, so you can be sure you and your family are receiving the highest quality of dental care in Bellbrook.

Is Sedation Dentistry in Bellbrook Right for Me?

Almost everyone is a good candidate for sedation dentistry – even kids can benefit from sedation dentistry, as “sleeping” through a dental procedure may prevent them from developing dental anxiety. 

Dental sedation might be right for you if you:

• Are nervous about having dental work
• Are afraid to visit your dentist
• Have an overly-sensitive gag reflex
• Are afraid of needles, which is a condition known as aichmophobia
• Need a complex dental procedure
• Have extremely sensitive teeth
• Are about to undergo a lengthy dental procedure
• Don’t always get numb with local anesthesia
• Have trouble with uncontrolled movements
• Have special physical, cognitive or behavioral needs that prevent you from relaxing or sitting still for long periods

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Nitrous oxide

Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a gas that you breathe in through a mask or nosepiece. Nitrous oxide makes you feel relaxed; you will not fall completely asleep and you will be able to ask or answer questions. You may even giggle a little!

The calming effects of nitrous oxide start within 3 to 5 minutes after placement of the mask or nose piece and continue until our dentist stops the flow of gas. Our dental team will give you pure oxygen through your mask or nosepiece to flush out the last of the laughing gas from your system. The nitrous oxide leaves your system quickly and completely, so you’ll be able to drive yourself home. 

Nitrous oxide carries the lowest risk for side effects compared with other types of sedation dentistry. You’ll remember most of your visit to the dentist. Nitrous oxide might be right for you if you are worried about side effects, or just need a little sedation for your dental procedure.

Oral conscious sedation

Oral conscious sedation comes in the form of a pill or fluid that you swallow about an hour before your procedure begins. Most dentists use a pill form of Halcion® (triazolam) which is a type of Valium®, but your dentist may use zaleplon, lorazepam, or another medication. Dentists usually use liquid oral sedation, such as midazolam oral syrup, for their pediatric patients. 

It takes 20 minutes or more for you to feel the effects of oral conscious sedation. You may feel sleepy and you may even doze off, but you’ll still be able to speak with your dental team. Your memory of the procedure may be fuzzy.

Oral conscious sedation is stronger than laughing gas and it temporarily affects your memory and motor skills, so you’ll need a friend or family member to drive you home from your appointment. You may even take a nap when you get home.

This approach to sedation dentistry may be right for you if you need something stronger than nitrous oxide to help you relax, or if you are having a long or complex procedure.

Intravenous sedation

Intravenous (IV) sedation is administered directly into your bloodstream through a plastic tube. Your dental team will insert an IV into your arm and deliver a steady stream of sedatives throughout your procedure. We will monitor your blood pressure, pulse, and other vital signs the entire time you are sedated; we can also adjust the dosage as needed or even administer medications to reverse the effects of IV sedation, if necessary.

For most who undergo IV sedation, you’ll fall asleep and have little to no memory of the procedure when you wake up.

IV sedation may be right for you if you have severe dental anxiety or are undergoing an especially lengthy or complex procedure

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