If you’ve never had it before, getting sedation dentistry can seem a bit daunting. Most dentists who offer it have several sedatives to choose from, each with its own varying effects. You thus may find yourself wondering: What type of dental sedation is right for you? There’s no need to feel overly confused, though; your Lewisville practice will help with your selection. Just keep reading to learn about the types of dental sedation, as well as which one you should pick.
Common Kinds of Dental Sedation
All dental sedation calms patients down, but multiple types exist that have their own strengths and weaknesses. Two of the most common kinds are:
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Per its name, nitrous oxide sedation uses nitrous oxide (or “laughing gas”) applied through a nose mask. This sedative causes feelings of calm and euphoria as it’s breathed during treatment. Thanks to such sensations, the patient can relax enough to receive the dental care they need.
Nitrous oxide is famous for being fast-acting and short-lived, with effects that fade shortly after one stops breathing it. A patient who gets this sedative can easily drive home when their appointment ends.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Instead of a gas like nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation consists of a pill. This medicine – taken before the actual dental visit – “kicks in” by the time treatment starts. Once it does, it promotes greater feelings of calm and relaxation than “laughing gas” ever could.
Oral conscious sedation is so strong that its effects take hours to wear off. As a result, the patient must have someone drive them home from their appointment.
Which Sedation Is Right for You?
Despite differing effects, no dental sedative is truly “better” than any other. The right sedation for you is simply the one that most meets your needs.
The different sedation methods tend to suit different situations. For instance, nitrous oxide often fits patients with mild anxiety or a desire for fast-fading effects. Oral conscious sedation, meanwhile, works quite well on those with high stress and similarly disruptive symptoms. You’ll ultimately have to assess your own preferences when picking your sedative.
All that said, please consult your dentist about the type of dental sedation you get. They can offer suggestions based on knowledge of your background.
About the Practice
Sehnert Precision Dentistry is based in Lewisville, TX. Led by Drs. Sehgal and Eddington, our practice is always working to make your smile strong, beautiful, and stable. This commitment leads us to offer a wide range of dental treatments, from simple dental checkups to top-tier sedation dentistry. Whatever your grin needs, you can trust our team to make it happen! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (972)-0420-0042.