Sedation dentistry is a great field, especially if you struggle with dental fears. Still, first-time patients may want to know what happens when someone goes under. “How exactly does dental sedation feel for the average patient?” you may wonder, and will it be the same for you? The good news is that your Ormond Beach dentist can address such questions. Just keep reading to learn their exact answers, as well as whether you’re a sedation dentistry candidate.
Sedation Dentistry: The Basics
Before you delve into sedation sensations, you should learn the basics of sedation dentistry. You’ll then have a better grasp of why it causes certain feelings.
In short, sedation dentistry is a set of methods that help patients relax for dental work. It mainly relies on sedatives to keep people calm for smooth and easy treatments. Depending on the kinds used, patients may take one or several drugs on the day of their visit.
How Does Dental Sedation Feel?
Based on the sedative, dental sedation can cause a wide range of feelings. As proof, consider the two sedation methods below:
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Under nitrous oxide sedation, a patient breathes nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” during care. Inhaling this sedative (through a nose mask) causes feelings of euphoria, giddiness, and fits of giggles. Some patients even report tingling sensations in the arms and legs. Regardless, “laughing gas” should always leave patients calm and conscious; they’ll be aware enough to respond to dentist instructions.
Sensations from nitrous oxide quickly fade after treatment. Once a patient stops breathing the gas, they’ll feel normal within a few minutes or so.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Unlike nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation uses a pill taken beforehand. This sedative will “kick in” when treatment starts and make you feel very relaxed. In fact, the experienced calm should be more intense than what you’d feel from nitrous oxide. It’ll leave you conscious, though, ensuring you can respond to dentist input.
Since oral conscious sedation is more intense, it leaves the patient groggy afterward. That means you’ll need a friend or family member to drive you home from treatment.
Who’s a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Qualifying for sedation dentistry isn’t hard; you simply need decent health and a good reaction to the relevant medicine. That said, the best candidates have traits like the following:
- Trauma from previous dental experiences
- Mild-to-intense dental anxiety or phobia
- An overly-active gag reflex
- Difficulty with sitting still
After enough time, dental sedation will leave you feeling just fine. Keep that in mind as you consider and pursue a sedated treatment.
About the Practice
Brown & Nawrocki Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry is based in Ormond Beach, FL. Led by Drs. Nawrocki and Dennis, our practice is always ready to provide patients with gentle and personalized dental care. We offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, all tailored to your distinct smile and its unique needs! That way, whole families can achieve the thriving and pretty grins they’ve always dreamed of. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (386)-677-1046.