Leave Your Fear at the Door
Do You Need Sedation Dentistry?
- Fear of the dentist
- Sensitive gag reflex
- Low pain threshold
- Dental anxiety
- Require multiple complex treatments
Common Sedation Dentistry Services
Oral Sedation
As you may have assumed, oral sedation is a prescribed medication taken orally. In some cases, it can be taken an hour before treatment or upon arrival at the dentist's office. Depending on the type of medication as well as the potency of the prescription, patients may feel anything from a moderate decrease in anxiety to feeling so relaxed they fall asleep in the chair! With this sedation, it may be necessary for a friend or family to provide transportation home.
Nitrous Oxide
Sometimes called “laughing gas” nitrous oxide is a gaseous medication inhaled through a nasal mask. Although patients likely won’t laugh, they often feel drowsy and relaxed throughout their treatment. With this sedation, patients will remain conscious, relaxed, and responsive throughout their care. After treatment is done, the nitrous oxide is stopped, so only oxygen is breathed until the mask is removed. The effects will wear off quickly allowing you to drive yourself home.
IV Sedation
Administered intravenously, this type of sedation puts patients into a sleep-like state, though they will remain awake during their procedure. With amnesic effects, many patients who receive IV sedation may forget parts of their care or the entirety of their treatment. IV sedation is an ideal choice for patients with more severe anxiety and those needing more complex treatments. With some lasting effects, patients will need someone to drive them home after their visit.
Healthy Smiles, Healthy Life
If you feel anxious about the sights, sounds, or smells of a dental visit, sedation dentistry may be the solution that keeps you in the dental office and out of bad health. What many of our patients don’t realize is that receiving regular dental care can actually help prevent not only more serious dental issues from occurring, but systemic conditions as well. Tooth decay can lead to gum disease which can cause tooth loss. If left unchecked, the disease-causing bacteria found in gum disease can spread throughout the body and lead to diabetes complications, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease!
We don’t think anyone should experience these side-effects which is why we encourage everyone with dental fear to consider sedation dentistry in Morgan Hill, CA. We also partner with multiple insurance companies and will help you file claims to ensure your entire treatment process is painless. Don’t let your oral health challenge become a whole-body health challenge. Explore your sedation dentistry options with us at Morgan Hill Dental Associates in Morgan Hill, CA, and receive the life-changing and life-saving dental care you need—in comfort.
