Sedation Dentistry

What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry uses prescription medication or anesthesia to help you relax during oral health care. If you put off going to the dentist because you’ve had a bad experience in the past, you’re more likely to experience potentially serious problems, like cavities and gum disease. 

Sedation dentistry helps ensure your comfort. What’s more, your provider can adjust the amount of medication you receive during treatment, allowing for a painless and stress-free experience.  

Who can benefit from sedation dentistry?

The team at Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry recommends sedation dentistry for people who:

• Have a low pain tolerance
• Have sensitive gag reflexes
• Have sensitive teeth
• Have trouble sitting still

You might also be a candidate for sedation dentistry if you need to undergo an extensive amount of dental work.

What are the types of sedation dentistry?

The team at Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry offer several types of sedation dentistry, including:

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)

Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas that you breathe through a mask placed over your mouth and nose. Once the nitrous oxide enters your body, it triggers a feeling of euphoria. That causes you to feel happy, stress-free, and relaxed. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly. As a result, you can drive yourself home after treatment.

Oral sedation

Oral sedation is a type of sedation dentistry where you take a prescription drug, like triazolam. Triazolam causes you to feel drowsy. You might doze off during treatment, but your provider can wake you up with a gentle nudge, if necessary. Oral sedation takes several hours to wear off, so you need a friend or family member to drive you home from the appointment.

IV sedation

IV sedation administers anesthesia through a needle and into a vein. The providers at Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry are trained and licensed to administer IV sedation onsite. Like oral sedation, IV sedation takes several hours to wear off, so you’ll need to have someone drive you home after your appointment.

Is sedation dentistry safe?

Sedation dentistry is safe and usually well-tolerated, but there are potential risks. To prevent complications, make sure to let your provider know if you have an underlying health problem, like heart disease or kidney disease. 

You should also alert your provider to any medications or vitamins you take. Certain drugs can interfere with the anesthesia, so it’s important the team is aware.

What type of sedation dentistry will benefit me?

The type of sedation dentistry that will most benefit you depends on several factors, including your age and the type of treatment you need. After a review of your medical records and a discussion of your goals, the team at Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry can make recommendations that align with your needs.

To request your sedation dentistry consultation at Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry, call the office or book online today.