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We know that dental appointments may not be your idea of a good time, and we understand that many patients suffer from dental anxiety. We offer sedation dentistry to help keep you comfortable, whether you are fearful, find it difficult to sit still, or need help getting through an extensive dental treatment.
Sedation with laughing gas is often recommended for patients with minor dental anxiety or nervousness about an upcoming dental procedure. This type of sedation is also called “minimal inhaled sedation” because it is gaseous and administered through a nose mask. Laughing gas will make you feel euphoric and a bit “disconnected” from your body, and will reduce feelings of discomfort, anxiety, and pain.
One of the biggest benefits of sedation with laughing gas is that it wears off quickly. You can drive yourself home after your appointment and get back to your regular routine immediately after treatment.
Oral conscious sedation is a better option for you if you have more severe dental anxiety, or if you will be undergoing oral surgery such as a tooth extraction or the placement of a dental implant. Oral conscious sedation is taken in pill form about an hour before your appointment.
The sedative will make you feel relaxed and sleepy, and many patients forget what happens during their dental appointment. The effects of oral sedation can last up to 4-6 hours, so this means that you won’t be able to drive yourself home after treatment or easily get back to your day-to-day routine, so it’s important to take this into account when scheduling your appointment.
Sedation can be a helpful tool for dental anxiety, but there are other ways you can reduce its effects, too. We recommend discussing your triggers and the source of your fear with Dr. Schmitt, because this will help him reduce your feelings of anxiety when you’re in our office. By working with the right dentist, you can mitigate the effects of dental anxiety and overcome your fears to get the oral care you need.
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