You take great care of your teeth, brushing and flossing diligently, so you’ve never had to have any advanced dental procedures. So now that you’re considering cosmetic dental procedures, one element might be bothering you: how can I remain calm and comfortable while my dentist works? If you’ve got a fear of dental procedures, if even a standard teeth cleaning makes you uncomfortable, you should get to know sedation dentistry. Take a look at how sedation dentistry can help you remain cool, calm and comfortable during cosmetic dental procedures.
IV Sedation
It’s one of the most precise and effective forms of sedation, which is why it’s also one of the most popular forms of sedation found in dental offices. IV sedation also works fast, so you’ll quickly begin to feel calm and more relaxed so that you can get on with your procedure without delay.
One consideration for those considering IV sedation is the use of needles to administer the sedative. However, topical anesthetics are commonly used to numb the injection site, minimizing the discomfort from the prick of the needle.
Nitrous Oxide Gas
Even with topical anesthetic numbing the prick of the needle, some people still struggle to get past the needle and enjoying the benefits of IV sedation. Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, offers an alternative that doesn’t involve needles. With nitrous oxide gas, a sedative is administered via a gas mask. One downside to this route is that the dosage may not be as precise as a dose administered via IV line.
Oral Sedation
Possibly the simplest route of sedation is oral sedation. This route involves simply taking a sedative by mouth. You’ll get the same sense of well being and ability to still comfortably as you get from other forms of sedation, accept there are no needles of facemasks involved. However, it’s important to note that the onset times for oral sedatives are much slower than those of IV sedation and nitrous oxide gas.
More on Sedation Dentistry in Thousand Oaks, CA
Schedule an appointment with a local dentist to learn more about your options for sedation dentistry in Thousand Oaks, CA.
