Sedation Dentist – Beachwood, OH

Oral Conscious Dental Sedation

For patients who find dental treatment to be uncomfortable or anxiety-inducing, oral sedation from our Beachwood team offers a safe, effective means of delivering needed care. We simply prescribe a sedative prior to your scheduled treatment, and you take the medication at a predetermined time before your procedure. The sedative is long-lasting, allowing you to relax and experience minimal pain and discomfort throughout treatment. You will need to have a friend or family member accompany you to and from your appointment, and you should plan to rest for at least 24 hours following your first dose of medication.

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What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?

With oral conscious sedation, all you have to do is swallow a pill shortly before your treatment is scheduled to begin. Within 15 minutes or so, the sedative medication should start to kick in, making you feel relaxed and ready to undergo your procedure.

The medication used for oral conscious sedation can vary from case to case, but Valium, Ativan, and Halcion are some common options. These work by dulling the brain’s response to stimuli that would otherwise cause discomfort, anxiety, or fear.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

Oral conscious sedation does not cause total unconsciousness, so you should remain alert enough to respond to questions and directions from your team. If you drift off to sleep, it should be easy for us to awaken you with a gentle shake.

Recovery time after dental sedation can last several hours, so you should not drive or do any other potentially dangerous tasks for at least a full day after you are sedated. When the sedative wears off, you may not remember your treatment. Many patients like this aspect of oral sedation because they dislike the sights, sounds, and sensations of dental procedures.

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

Oral conscious sedation might be a good fit for you if:

• You struggle with dental fear or anxiety.
• You have a very sensitive gag reflex.
• You require complex or invasive treatments, or you will undergo multiple procedures during a single appointment.
• You have a medical condition that makes it difficult for you to sit still for prolonged periods of time.
• You are not easily numbed by local anesthesia.
• You do not have any contraindications that would make oral conscious sedation unsafe for you. For example, you should not be pregnant or have certain respiratory conditions.

 

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

With nitrous oxide, all you have to do is breathe. A small mask is placed over your nose, through which you inhale a colorless, nearly odorless gas that creates feelings of warmth and euphoria. The mask stays on for the entire appointment, and after we take it off, the effects go away quickly and do not linger. This means you can get back to your day right away and even drive yourself home from your appointment.

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Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide is an excellent option for patients who struggle with mild to moderate dental anxiety or fear. It can also be helpful for individuals with a strong gag reflex or who are not easily numbed by local anesthesia. We even use it for children because it is safe for patients of virtually all ages!

Of course, nitrous oxide may not be ideal for everyone. If you are pregnant, have certain respiratory conditions, or are currently taking certain medications, you might not be a candidate for this type of sedation. Our team will learn about your medical history before approving you for nitrous oxide.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?

Nitrous oxide does not involve the use of any needles or pills. Rather, we simply place a mask over your nose, through which we administer a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. Then, all you have to do is breathe. Within a minute or two, you should start to feel the effects of the sedation. You may notice that you are relaxed. Some patients feel giddy and start to giggle, which is why nitrous oxide is also known as “laughing gas.”

After your treatment, the mask will be removed, and you will start to feel like yourself within a few minutes.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide

The effects of nitrous oxide do not linger for very long, but you will still need to stay in our office for a few minutes while you return to your normal state of mind. Our team will keep an eye on you just in case you experience any negative side effects. Once you leave your appointment, you should feel well enough to operate a vehicle or return to work. However, keep in mind that if you underwent a complex dental procedure, you may need to take it easy for a few days. Our team will provide specific post-treatment instructions to help you enjoy a smooth recovery.

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