Sedation Dentistry – Lincoln, NE

Am I a Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide is usually suggested for patients who are afraid or anxious about their treatment. Of course, there are other cases where it can help as well. For example, if you have a powerful gag reflex or often have trouble holding your jaw open for long periods of time, nitrous oxide sedation can make the process much smoother. It’s also a good idea to be sedated if you’re currently suffering from tooth sensitivity or jaw pain that would make periodontal treatment particularly unpleasant.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?

Nitrous oxide is more commonly known as “laughing gas.” Despite the name, it won’t actually make you laugh; it will, however, put you in a euphoric state where your fears and stress will melt away and you won’t be bothered by whatever is going on around you. The process for administering nitrous oxide is very simple. You wear a mask over your nose and breathe in the sedative after it has been mixed with oxygen. Depending on how the procedure goes, we may need to increase or decrease the sedation level in small increments.

At no point is nitrous oxide meant to put you fully to sleep. There are cases of patients becoming so sleepy that they doze off, but they can be gently awakened. Some people report feeling lightheaded or experiencing a tingling sensation in their arms and legs. While under the influence of nitrous oxide, you will not experience pain.

Once the procedure is complete and the sedative is stopped, it only takes a few minutes for the effects to dissipate. You may or may not remember the events of the treatment. You will, however, be alert and awake enough to drive home by yourself and continue the rest of your day as normal.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide

For other sedatives, you may need to set aside an entire day to fully recover from the effects. With nitrous oxide, you don’t have to make any such accommodations since the effects wear off so quickly. You may, however, receive specific follow-up instructions depending on what kind of treatment you received.

What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?

Oral conscious sedation involves the use of a medication that temporarily affects the way the brain responds to stimuli that might otherwise cause a degree of anxiety. The medication is administered orally. You swallow a pill about an hour before your procedure begins, and by the time our team starts working on your mouth, you should feel completely relaxed. Oral conscious sedation does not produce unconsciousness. Patients typically remain alert enough to respond to directions or questions from our team. If you drift off to sleep, it should be easy for us to awaken you with a gentle shake.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

If you are interested in oral conscious sedation, let a member of our team know. Your sedation dentist in Lincoln will evaluate your candidacy for it. Oral conscious sedation is safe for most people, but there are certain circumstances that might have an impact on whether it is safe for you. For example, it might not be right for you if you are pregnant.

If you are a candidate for oral conscious sedation, you’ll receive a prescription for the sedation medication. Prior to your appointment, be sure to arrange to have someone available to drive you to and from our office. The medication is very powerful, so you should not drive for at least a full day or two after you take it.

You may not remember anything about your procedure after your sedation wears off. This is normal, and most patients view it as an additional benefit of the medication.

Benefits of Oral Conscious Sedation

Some of the most notable benefits of oral conscious sedation include:

• The medication is powerful enough to calm significant anxiety. It also works well for patients who have a strong gag reflex or who need to undergo multiple procedures at once. You can expect to breeze through your appointment!
• No needles.  Many patients dislike the idea of having a needle in their hand for IV sedation. Oral conscious sedation does not require the use of needles.
• We carefully monitor our patients while they are sedated. Although complications are rare, we always remain diligent to protect our patients’ overall well-being.

What is IV Sedation?

IV sedation is a form of sedation dentistry that is delivered into your vein through a needle. Its effects begin quickly, and because it’s administered intravenously, we can control the level of sedation incredibly precisely. You’ll still be able to talk to your dentist in Lincoln; however, it’s completely normal for you to doze off because this treatment is incredibly relaxing. It’s fairly common to have little to no memory of your treatment after the fact, which many nervous or fearful patients enjoy! During the entire process, we will monitor your pulse and oxygen levels for safety.

Who is a Candidate for IV Sedation?

We use IV sedation most commonly for patients who are overly fearful or anxious when it comes to dental visits. While there are other, less mild forms of sedation, this treatment option is effective in relieving moderate to severe dental anxiety. However, the only way to know with certainty if you’re a candidate is to contact our office. We will discuss your level of anxiety and the type of treatment you may need. From there, we can give you a personalized treatment plan that works best for you.

What Can You Expect After IV Sedation?

Because IV sedation is stronger than other sedation options like nitrous oxide, we recommend that you have a family member or friend drive you to and from our practice. Once your procedure is over, we will keep you in our office for about 20 to 30 minutes, allowing the strongest effects to wear off. However, you will still experience some sedation effects throughout the day, which will slowly but surely dissipate. Most patients can resume their regular daily activities after 24 hours from their IV sedation!