Sedation Periodontics – Dallas, TX
Get the Treatment You Need Without Fear
Despite being told of the risks, some patients actively avoid having their gum disease treated because they’re nervous or afraid of seeking any kind of dental care – periodontal or otherwise. Dr. Barnett and the rest of our team are no strangers to dental anxieties. Simply tell us about your concerns, and we can arrange for sedation periodontics in Dallas, TX to be used during your treatment, allowing you to stay calm while also making sure that the process is as painless as possible.
Why Choose Lincoln Park Periodontal and Dental Implant Group for Sedation Periodontics?
- Three Kinds of Sedation Available
-
A Knowledgeable,
Caring Team - Current, Minimally Invasive Techniques
IV Sedation
IV sedation is commonly used to help individuals experiencing extreme dental anxiety or those who require extensive oral healthcare treatments. Designed to put you into a completely relaxed state, you may feel as if you’re asleep, but you won’t be. Instead, you’ll remain at ease while our team works to improve your smile and put your oral health back on track.
What is IV Sedation?
IV sedation is sometimes also known as “sleep dentistry.” Despite that name, it doesn’t put you to sleep; you’ll merely be in a relaxed state where you can still respond to questions. The anti-anxiety drug is injected straight into your arm, allowing it to quickly take effect. The level of sedation can be adjusted as needed throughout the process. Your recollections of the treatment afterward may be vague (if you have any at all).
Who is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?
When meeting with your sedation dentist in Dallas, you’ll discover several factors that must be discussed to determine if you are a candidate for IV sedation. You’ll need to disclose any medications you’re currently taking as well as discuss any health issues or conditions you may suffer from, as this can have an impact on the effectiveness and safety of receiving IV sedation.
If you experience any of the following issues, there is a good chance you’ll be a candidate:
- A sensitive or strong gag reflex
- Extreme dental anxiety that inhibits your ability to seek dental care
- Severe dental problems that require multiple procedures
- The inability to become numb with other sedation methods
The Benefits of IV Sedation
When choosing to receive IV sedation, you’ll find there are multiple benefits you can expect to receive, such as:
- Close monitoring by dental staff to ensure your comfort and safety
- Effects that occur quickly, allowing you to feel more at ease in less time
- The opportunity to see your dentist regularly without the feeling of anxiety
- Little to no recollection of your dental visit
Patients who opt for this type of sedation recognize how helpful it is. Not only does it eliminate the fear and anxiety that many face when visiting the dentist’s office, but more importantly, it allows individuals to take back their oral health so that a brighter, healthier future awaits.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Would you like to be sedated for your periodontal treatment without having to worry about needles or masks? With oral conscious sedation, you can put your fears to rest simply by taking a pill! We can give you special medication before your procedure; all you need to do is ingest it at the instructed time so that you’ll be nice and relaxed when we’re ready to begin. Read on for more details about this sedation method.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is often recommended in situations where nitrous oxide wouldn’t be enough to achieve the desired results. When we give you the medication, we will also explain when you need to take it. The effects should start to kick in before your treatment begins, thus soothing any worries you might have.
For many people, oral conscious sedation is a simpler alternative to other options. There are no injections like with IV sedation, and you won’t need to have a mask placed over your nose like with nitrous oxide sedation.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
When under the effects of oral conscious sedation, you will remain awake and capable of responding to any requests made by our team. However, you will also feel very groggy, and there’s a chance that you could fall asleep; if that happens, a gentle shake will generally be enough to wake you up.
One thing to keep in mind about oral conscious sedation is that its effects will linger for quite a while even after your treatment has been completed. In this state, you won’t be capable of driving on your own. You’ll therefore need to talk to a friend or family member about taking you home once your appointment is over. Plan on resting for the remainder of the day to give the medication a chance to completely wear off.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is safe for most people, but we’ll need to review the state of your health to make sure that you’re a viable candidate. If you are able to have oral conscious sedation performed, you should be aware of the various situations it can help with. For example:
- It can help you get your dental fears and anxieties under control so that they don’t get in the way of necessary treatment.
- It can suppress a strong gag reflex, allowing you to have important procedures safely performed.
- It can keep you relaxed while you’re undergoing a complex treatment or multiple treatments during a single visit.
- It can make it easier to sit still and keep your mouth open for the duration of your procedure.
Could oral conscious sedation help you have a more positive periodontal experience? We can help you find the answer to that question if you speak to our team members.
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Nitrous oxide is generally preferable for shorter procedures or patients who only have mild dental anxieties. You’ll simply breathe in the sedative through a nasal mask while we work on your smile. There is little preparation required before nitrous oxide is used, and since it wears off so quickly, you won’t have to spend the rest of the day recovering from the sedative; you’ll likely be able to drive yourself home or return to work.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation?
Nitrous oxide sedation is generally safe for most healthy adults. However, certain medications, respiratory issues, and pregnancy could present complications. Be sure to give us detailed information about your health and medication history so we can ensure your wellbeing!
Otherwise, you could benefit from nitrous oxide sedation if:
- You have dental anxiety
- Are afraid of needles or other tools typically found in a dental office
- It’s not comfortable for you to sit still for prolonged periods
- You have excessive dental sensitivities
- Become overstimulated with lights, sounds, or other sensations
- Have a strong gag reflex
Nitrous oxide can help in a number of situations, so if you believe this sedation method would help you have a more positive experience, let us know, and we can help you determine whether nitrous oxide is right for you.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation Work?
The day of your appointment, you’ll come into the office like you would normally. We’ll escort you back to the patient chair, but instead of getting right to your treatment, we’ll provide you with a low-profile mask. Once the mask is properly fitted over your nose, we’ll administer the nitrous oxide. Within a few moments of breathing in the gas, you’ll start to feel relaxed and light. Some patients even experience a slight euphoria!
We’ll continue to monitor your status throughout your treatment to ensure your safety. After your procedure is completed and we remove the mask, the effects of the nitrous oxide should start to wear off quickly. Most patients are able to drive themselves home!
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Since the effects of nitrous oxide fade so quickly, aftercare is minimal. We’ll have you stay in our office until it’s absolutely safe for you to drive, but from there you’ll be able to continue on with your regular routines. Just don’t forget to follow the instructions related to your treatment recovery!
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
We see countless adults each day who are anxious or fearful about visiting their dentist due to bad past experiences, overstimulation, or a variety of other reasons. Our goal is to provide them with a caring and attentive environment that they can feel safe in, and with the addition of sedation dentistry in Dallas, we can also help make them feel more relaxed and at-ease. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions that we receive from our patients for your convenience. If you don’t see the answers you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
For many patients, dental sedation is completely safe. Those who may not be considered good candidates include patients who have allergies or resistance to the drugs used or those who are pregnant or have certain medical conditions. However, our team will thoroughly examine your medical history beforehand to make sure that sedation is safe for you. Also, throughout the time that you’ll be sedated, we’ll have one of our team members closely monitoring your vitals.
Will I remember anything if I receive dental sedation?
Even though IV, oral conscious, and nitrous oxide sedation are all conscious forms of sedation, which means that you’ll technically remain awake and responsive throughout your treatments, many patients don’t remember much afterward. This can be a great benefit for those who have fear and anxiety that prevents them from receiving the timely dentistry that they require to maintain a healthy smile. If you do fall asleep during your procedure, our team will gently wake you up to make sure that you’re able to respond to any questions or requests that we have.
How much does sedation dentistry cost?
The cost of sedation dentistry depends on a couple of factors, including the type of sedation you receive and the length of your treatment. Typically, nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are less expensive than IV sedation because IV sedation is administered by a specially trained professional. Before your procedure, we’ll discuss pricing with you so you know exactly what to expect.
Will I feel any pain with dental sedation?
It’s important to know that sedation dentistry does not take pain away or numb you—it just helps you feel more at-ease and relaxed. To minimize discomfort, we may use general anesthesia, which is an injection that will numb the area that we’re treating so you can’t feel anything. Sedation and general anesthesia can be used alongside each other to make sure you remain comfortable throughout your procedure.
Will dental sedation make me sick?
Different patients can have different reactions to sedation dentistry, so the following information can vary based on your unique body’s interaction with the medication. It’s relatively rare that patients experience nausea with nitrous oxide, but this side-effect is more common among patients who receive oral conscious or IV sedation due to their more potent effects.
Does dental sedation make you tell secrets?
Over the years, you may have seen videos on social media or characters in TV shows acting “loopy” after being sedated. However, you don’t need to worry – nitrous oxide sedation, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation aren’t truth serums. Plus, on the off chance that you do share something you normally wouldn’t, it won’t leave the walls of the treatment room.
Is sedation dentistry worth it?
Whether you’re considering sedation dentistry because you had a bad experience with another dentist or because you need extensive dental care, like multiple tooth extractions, you might be wondering if it’s really worth it. The answer is “yes!” After all, even mild forms, like nitrous oxide, can alleviate considerable stress, nerves, and worry. Not only does this ensure you can relax comfortably in the treatment chair, but it also helps create a more positive association with your dentist, helping alleviate further dental-related anxiety in the process.
Am I a good candidate for sedation dentistry?
The best way to find out is by scheduling an appointment with our sedation dentist in Dallas, Dr. Andrew Barnett. At your visit, he will learn about any allergies you have, ask you about any medications you’re taking, and review your medical history. Then, he will determine if you’re a good candidate for sedation dentistry and, if you are, which type is best for you. For example, if you struggle with mild dental-related anxiety and you have a fear of needles, then nitrous oxide may be the best solution because it’s effective, fast-acting, and needle-free!
How long does it take to recover after sedation dentistry?
In short, the recovery time after sedation dentistry depends largely on the type. The effects of IV sedation, for example, can linger up to 24 hours. So, in addition to having someone you know and trust drive you to your appointment, you should arrange for them to take you home afterward. The same arrangements aren’t necessary with nitrous oxide because the effects dissipate within a matter of minutes.
Can I eat before being sedated?
That depends. For nitrous oxide, that’s rarely necessary because it’s so mild. With more powerful forms, we may ask you to fast prior to your visit in an effort to keep you from feeling nauseous. If you are given the green light to eat something beforehand, make sure that it’s something healthy, well-balanced, and satiating.