If you’re not very optimistic about visiting the dentist due to nerves or anxiety, you aren’t alone – many patients these days suffer from dentophobia, or a fear of dental-related care. Fortunately, sedation dentistry in Frisco is one of the best means of combating this issue and ensuring that patients can receive the life-changing dental care they need. To learn more about how sedation dentistry can make your next visit a smooth experience, contact our team today!
Also known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is one of the mildest forms of sedation available, and it’s perfect for most patients who suffer from dental-related anxiety, as well as those undergoing particularly mild procedures. It’s administered with a mixture of oxygen through a soft nasal mask, and patients are put in a euphoric state that makes treatment easier for all parties involved. Since there are no lingering effects, most patients can resume their daily activities following their appointment.
Oral conscious sedation can be recommended for those with moderate dental phobia, or patients who aren’t able to receive nitrous oxide. It involves a small sedative pill that’s taken prior to the appointment – by the time you’re seated, you’ll have begun to feel its effects. You’ll still be conscious and responsive to verbal commands, but you will need a ride home after your appointment. In any case, you can expect a pleasant experience in the dental chair.
IV sedation is generally reserved for patients who can’t receive nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation, those patients with very severe dental anxiety, or those patients undergoing more complex procedures. The sedatives are administered intravenously, and patients are closely monitored by our team throughout the entirety of the process. Patients who receive IV sedation will need to arrange for transportation to and from their appointment, and it’s often advised to have someone look after them for a few hours following the visit.
