Dental-related anxiety is a real problem for children and adults. It often keeps people from visiting the dentist’s office and receiving treatment for serious dental problems that will only get worse the longer they go untreated. At Daily Smiles MacArthur Dental and Orthodontics, our team prioritizes patient comfort every step of the way – that’s why we offer sedation dentistry in Irving that’s safe for all ages. If you have any questions or are ready to schedule a first appointment, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We look forward to helping you feel at ease whenever you visit!
Why Choose Daily Smiles MacArthur Dental and Orthodontics for Sedation Dentistry?
Multiple Sedation Options Available
Dental Team with Charisma to Help Patients Feel at Ease
Warm & Welcoming Environment with Innovative Solutions
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Dr. Rafiq may recommend nitrous oxide for patients who struggle with mild nervousness and anxiety regarding dental appointments. You will probably know this service by another name – laughing gas! This light but reliable form of dental sedation has been used for decades to help make dental appointments more comfortable in practically every way for patients who need it. It’s administered via a small nose mask and takes effect right away. Then, after your treatment is complete, you’ll return to your regular alert state within moments of having the mask removed.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide Sedation?
Nitrous oxide is one of the most popular options for sedation dentistry because it’s easy, safe, and can help almost any patient. You’re likely a great candidate for nitrous oxide sedation if you:
Are a bit nervous or anxious about visiting the dentist
Need help relaxing in the examination chair
Have very sensitive teeth or an overactive gag reflex
Have neck, back, jaw, or shoulder pain when sitting in the examination chair
Are completing several treatments in one appointment
How Does Nitrous Oxide Sedation Work?
Being sedated with nitrous oxide requires very little preparation on your part. The process is simple: once you or your loved one is settled in the treatment chair, we’ll cover your nose with a small mask. This mask will administer nitrous mixed with oxygen to create a colorless and odorless gas, and after a few minutes of breathing it in, feelings of calm and contentment should begin. While remaining conscious the entire time, you will be completely oblivious to the sights, sounds, and sensations that would typically make you uncomfortable. Then, once your treatment is complete, we’ll remove the nose mask and within a few minutes, you’ll become fully awake and alert once again.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide Sedation
One of the biggest benefits of nitrous oxide is how quickly you can recover. After the mask has been removed at the end of your appointment and you’re breathing in regular air again, a feeling of normalcy should return in minutes. Very few patients feel any side effects and those that do only experience slight nausea that goes away on its own very quickly. In fact, you’ll be able to drive yourself home afterward and go on with your day without any interruptions! This is ideal for patients who need to get to work or children who can’t miss the rest of the school day.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation comes in the form of medication that our team will prescribe for you. We will also provide all of the necessary directions for when and how much to take, and we only offer this method of sedation for adults. By the time you arrive at the practice (being driven by a trusted friend or family member), you should feel very relaxed and maybe even a little groggy.
While you will remain awake throughout your appointment and be capable of responding to instructions, you’ll be in such a deep state of comfort that you may not even remember much about the experience later on.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is ideally used on patients who experience extreme forms of dental anxiety or who are preparing for multiple or prolonged procedures. The process requires administering the medication through an IV that is placed in the hand or bend of the elbow. In a little time, you can expect to become drowsy and fully relaxed. You will be unlikely to remember anything about your procedure, and it will take time for the effects to wear off, so you’ll need to have someone drive you home.
Are You a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Patients who experience mild to moderate dental anxiety are great candidates for sedation dentistry. Other great candidates include those who:
Have sensitive gag reflexes.
Are afraid of needles or shots.
Are overwhelmed with the sights and sounds of the dental office.
Have had a traumatic experience with the dentist.
Have overly sensitive teeth.
Are self-conscious about their teeth.
If you experience any of these responses when you visit your sedation dentist in Irving, don’t hesitate to let us know, and our team will be more than happy to accommodate you and help you feel comfortable when you visit us!
Understanding the Cost of Sedation Dentistry
The cost of sedation dentistry depends on a variety of factors, including the length of your treatment and the type of sedation you receive. Before you visit us for your appointment, we’ll provide you with a detailed estimate of the cost of sedation, so you know what to expect. If you have any questions about insurance coverage or financing before your procedure, our friendly team of professionals will be more than happy to provide you with the answers you need.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Do you have questions about sedation methods? Our team is here to ease your anxiety and provide you with the answers you need to feel comfortable receiving treatment. Below, we’ve collected some of the most frequently asked questions that we receive from our patients for your convenience.
How long does it take for sedation to wear off?
Nitrous oxide sedation is great for patients who suffer from mild dental anxiety. It’s administered in-office, and as quickly as the effects take place, they also wear off (within a couple of minutes). Oral conscious sedation is a bit different. It takes several hours for the full effects of the sedation to wear off, and you’ll need a trusted friend or family member to drop you off and pick you up from your appointment because the effects can last long after your treatment.
Is sedation dentistry the same as being unconscious?
No. You’ll remain completely conscious while under dental sedation and be able to respond to all of Dr. Rafiq’s requests and questions. You’ll just remain in a comfortable and relaxed state until the effects wear off.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Yes! When sedation dentistry is administered by a dental professional, like Dr. Rafiq, rest assured that the process is completely safe. Before we administer it, we’ll ask you about your medical history and talk with you in great detail about which type of sedation is best for you.
How long does it take for the effects of nitrous oxide to kick in?
Once you begin breathing in the colorless, odorless mixture of nitrous and oxygen, the effects should take place within 30 seconds to four minutes.
Will I need somebody to drive me home after sedation dentistry?
If you’re receiving IV sedation or oral conscious sedation in Irving, then you’ll need to be prepared to have a trusted friend or family member drop you off and pick you up from your appointment. This is because it can take up to 24 hours for the full effects to wear off. If you’re having nitrous oxide, then you should be able to continue with your day as you normally would once the effects have worn off, which is typically within a couple of minutes.
