Sedation
Feeling nervous about your upcoming dental appointment? Whether you are due for a routine cleaning or needing an advanced procedure, we recognize that dental anxiety is a genuine concern for many patients. Our team members completely understand, and we will always go above and beyond to offer compassion, patience, and kindness to each of our patients; even so, we understand that this does not always alleviate anxiety.
For patients who are seeking extra help getting through their next dental visit, we offer safe, relaxing dental sedation at our office. Options at our Saratoga Springs, UT practice include nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedatives; these selections provide different levels of sedation that can better accommodate the particular patient and purpose of the visit.
To learn more about each of our sedative options, please review the below sections. If you have questions or would like to request sedation for your next visit, call our office today!
Nitrous
Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a fast-acting form of sedation that is administered through a breathing mask placed over the patient’s nose. Within five minutes of inhaling the gas, patients will begin experiencing a euphoric, relaxed feeling as their anxiety melts away. This form of sedation keeps patients conscious, so they can respond to our team members and follow instruction as necessary.
One of the most convenient aspects of nitrous oxide is its ability to take effect quickly, but subside just as fast. Once the dental visit is over, we will flush the mask with pure oxygen to dissipate any remaining sedative in the patient’s system. Within a few minutes, patients will be capable of returning to normal activities and behaviors.
Oral
Sedation
Oral sedation is a bit more powerful than nitrous oxide and takes a bit longer to take effect. Administered as a pill that must be consumed prior to the appointment, typically we will instruct patients to take the sedative an hour prior to the scheduled visit. By this time, effects of the medication will begin to take effect – causing feelings of drowsiness and exhaustion. This effectively keeps patients relaxed throughout their appointment – free from any worry or discomfort.
However, due to the intense impact of the medication, it will be necessary that the patient have a friend or family member drive them to and from the office.
IV
Sedation
IV sedation is our most potent sedative – delivered directly into the bloodstream via IV, the sedative takes effect nearly immediately. This sedative is usually reserved for more invasive procedures as it produces a drowsy, amnesiac effect on patients. During longer treatments, this is ideal as it allows our team to work more easily while ensuring the patient has no memory of their procedure.
One of the qualities we like most about this form of sedation is how easy it is to control, ensuring we can maintain the patient’s comfort level throughout the appointment and easily wake them up at the conclusion of the visit. Unlike oral sedation, which provides no ability to regulate the concentration once the medicine is metabolized, IV sedation can be constantly adjusted throughout the procedure to ensure the precise dosage.
Due to the intense effects of IV sedation, it is necessary for patients to arrange for a friend or family member to drive them to and from the appointment.
If you are feeling nervous about your dental visit, contact our office today to discuss dental sedation!
