If you suffer from dental anxiety, know you’re not alone. Many people experience fear or apprehension when it comes to dental visits, whether due to past experiences, fear of pain, or even the sounds and smells associated with dental offices. It’s important to recognize that dental anxiety is common, and there are effective strategies to help manage it. One of the first steps in overcoming dental anxiety is to communicate openly with our dental team. Let us know about your fears and concerns so we can work with you to create a more comfortable experience. One of the ways we do this is with sedation dentistry.
Sedation dentistry involves the use of medication to help patients relax during dental treatments. It’s often used for people who experience dental anxiety, have a low pain threshold, have special needs, or need extensive dental work. Sedation can range from mild sedation (where the patient is awake but relaxed, also referred to as conscious sedation) to deep sedation (where the patient is on the edge of consciousness). There are multiple types of dental sedation as well – IV sedation, oral sedation and nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. Our Burlington dental office offers nitrous oxide – a mild form of sedation that can be used for a variety of dental treatments and is safe for all ages.
This type of sedation is delivered through a small mask placed over your nose during your procedure. The gas is mixed with oxygen to ensure safety, comfort, and relaxation.
You’ll breathe in the gas, which quickly enters your bloodstream and takes effect within minutes. Most patients report feeling light, calm, or even slightly “giddy,” hence why it’s often called “laughing gas.” Our dentist will monitor you to ensure you remain comfortable and that the level of sedation is appropriate or adjusted as needed.
Unlike oral or IV sedation, recovery is fast, and most patients can return to their normal activities shortly after the appointment. Once the procedure is complete, the nitrous oxide is turned off, you’ll breathe in pure oxygen for a few minutes to flush the gas out of your system.
Addressing dental needs and concerns is crucial, but when people suffer from dental anxiety, it can make them avoid going to the dentist. We want to prevent this from happening by ensuring patients are comfortable throughout their entire procedure, have a relaxing experience and feel as stress-free as possible. This can be accomplished with nitrous oxide sedation. Do not hesitate to let us know that you feel anxious about your visit with us – our family dental team is here to help you in any way that we can.
Nitrous oxide can help you feel calm and relaxed, making your dental visits less intimidating and anxiety-free
The effects of nitrous oxide are almost immediate, and recovery is quick, allowing you to drive home and resume your day as normal!
We can easily adjust the amount of nitrous oxide administered to suit each patient’s needs.
Unlike other sedation options, nitrous oxide allows you to remain awake throughout the entire procedure, so you’ll still be able to communicate with us and answer our questions or let us know if you need anything.
Nitrous oxide is safe for children and adults alike, making it a versatile option for a wide range of patients.
While this sedation option is great for patients with a dental phobia or anxiety, it’s also great for those who are sensitive to pain, for longer, more involved procedures (for example, tooth extraction or root canal therapy), for those with a strong gag reflex, or for children or adults with special needs. However, just like with most things, this dental care option may not be for everyone, so it’s best to book a consultation appointment with our Burlington dentist to determine if you’ll be able to benefit from sedation dentistry.
Don’t let your oral health suffer. Before your next dental appointment, let us know if you suffer from dental anxiety, and we’ll work with you to make your next dental experience as stress-free and comfortable as possible. Schedule an appointment today!
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