If you suffer from dental anxiety, it may be impossible to picture yourself sitting comfortably through a dental procedure at our Novato Sedation Dentist office and waking without any memory of the procedure afterwards. If you cringe at the thought the dentist because of sensitive teeth or a fear of needles, you will be happy to know that sedation dentistry can make overwhelming dental anxiety a thing of the past.
There are essentially three types of sedation dentistry
- IV (Intravenous) Sedation
- Oral Conscious Sedation
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation
IV Sedation
With IV (Intravenous) sedation, the medication is administered directly into the blood stream. This type of sedation allows you to enter a state of deep relaxation that leaves you feeling calm and unaffected by what’s happening around you. It is often the case that patients who have experienced IV Sedation recall little or nothing of what happened.
Oral Conscious Sedation (OCS)
If we determine that Oral Conscious Sedation is best for you, we will prescribe an appropriate medication that should be taken prior to arriving at the Marin County Sleep Dentist office for treatment. The purpose of this medication is to provide deep relaxation and calm, enabling you to undergo your treatment while feeling drowsy and relaxed.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous Oxide Sedation (also known as laughing gas) involves conscious inhalation sedation, and is used to bring on a state of calm and relaxation. A local anesthetic is also administered in combination with nitrous oxide sedation in order to eliminate any chance of discomfort. Many patients who have experienced nitrous oxide sedation may fall asleep and even experience a degree of “amnesia” about details of their visit.
Throughout your procedure, our sleep dentistry team will ensure that you are relaxed and resting comfortably. At the conclusion of your treatment we will stay with you until we feel you are ready to go home. Please remember that, if you have a dental procedure planned that includes sedation dentistry, you will need transportation to and from the dental office.