Sedation Dentistry – Houston, TX

Who Is A Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide is usually safe for all patients; however, a thorough consultation is necessary for anyone looking to minimize their dental anxiety with the help of sedation. It is important that our sedation dentist in Houston review a person’s oral and overall health history as well as any medications they may be currently taking.

Patients who are pregnant or experiencing respiratory illness will be advised to wait for treatment.

Those who suffer or experience any of the following issues, however, may be deemed good candidates for nitrous oxide:

• Sensitive gag reflex
• Difficulty getting numb
• Mild or moderate dental anxiety
• Traumatic dental experience at another dentist’s office
• Difficulty remaining comfortable in the dentist’s chair
• Tooth sensitivity
• Fear of needles

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?

As soon as a person sits down in the treatment chair and gets comfortable, we’ll place a small mask onto the nose that will allow the individual to breathe in a colorless, odorless gas. Within less than a minute, they will feel the effects of the nitrous oxide kick in. As soon as the full effects take place and they feel at ease, we’ll begin the treatment. As soon as the procedure is complete, we’ll remove the mask, and the effects will quickly wear off, allowing the person to go on with their day as they normally would.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide

After receiving nitrous oxide, patients can expect to resume normal activity. This is what makes this type of sedation so beneficial. Not only is it mild and easy to administer, but it poses no serious risk for most people. As soon as the gas is turned off and the mask is removed, patients will immediately notice that the effects begin to wear off. After breathing in a bit of regular oxygen, they should start to feel like their normal selves. In no time at all, individuals can leave their appointments and return to work, school, or home to go on with their day.

What is Oral Conscious Sedation?

Simply put, oral conscious sedation is a method for treating dental anxiety. Its effects are slightly more intense than those of nitrous oxide. Therefore, this option is normally prescribed for adults with moderate nervousness, fear, or similar discomforts.

Rather than masks or needles, the oral conscious approach relies on a pill. Specifically, it has you ingest a dentist-prescribed medicine right before treatment. (This medicine is usually Valium, Ativan, or Halcion.) Fifteen minutes after doing so, you’ll feel long-lasting effects that ease your dental fears.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

In truth, applying oral conscious sedation isn’t a complex process. It takes little time and requires no major setup. Therefore, this treatment option is fairly easy to implement.

As mentioned above, oral sedation means taking a pill before your procedure. When the pill’s effects “kick in,” you’ll feel deeply relaxed, calm, and at ease. (You might not even remember the appointment once the medication wears off.) Our team will then work on your smile as these effects occur. Rest assured, though; they’ll also monitor your vitals to ensure your continued safety.

Fortunately, oral conscious sedation doesn’t put you to sleep. It leaves you calm yet alert enough to respond to instructions. That said, the medicine will make you a bit dizzy for a while. You’ll thus need someone to drive you home from the appointment. Otherwise, you could put yourself at risk of a severe and harmful car accident.

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

As it happens, most adults can qualify for oral conscious sedation. You simply need decent physical health to be a good candidate. So long as you meet that requirement, the sedative won’t give you any real problems.

Of course, this sedation benefits some people more than others. It’s especially great for patients who:

• Consistently experience dental fear, anxiety, or nervousness
• Cancel or reschedule dental visits due to unease over bad news
• Suffer from an overly-sensitive gag reflex
• Need multiple dental procedures or one longer treatment for a single visit
• Struggle to keep your mouth open or sit still during treatment
• Don’t react well to local anesthesia
• Have had poor dental experiences in the past

To stay safe, consult your dentist to confirm your candidacy. They’ll know for sure whether oral conscious sedation is right for you.