Sedation Dentistry
Statesville, NC
Many patients have had traumatic experiences in dentistry or have other anxieties about their treatment. At Fern Creek Dentistry, we strive to meet your individual comfort needs. For our patients with anxiety, sedation dentistry may be the answer.
We offer nitrous oxide, IV sedation and general anesthesia sedation as options for our patients. Prashant Patel, DDS and the rest of our team have received extensive training for the safe and effective use of several types of sedation.
You can rest assure that any procedure you have done at Fern Creek Dentistry will be painless and comfortable. It’s our job to make sure you have an enjoyable experience and we take it seriously.
Is dental sedation safe?
We only use forms of sedation that have been approved by the American Dental Association and using standards and practices that have been proven to be safe. It is important to let us know about any medications you are taking at the time of the procedure before we start. It is not typical for drugs being taken by patients to interfere with sedation but it does occur from time to time.
If you are coming to see us for a procedure and are nervous about your stay, have no fear! Just mention that you have some anxiety about the procedure and we will be obliged to make sedation available to you. It is up to you what type of sedation you receive and we will do our best to make sure your stay with us is comfortable.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a great solution to anxieties over dental procedures. It is administered to you through a facemask before we start your procedure. Once it takes effect, which usually only take a few minutes your anxiety and nerves slip away to be replaced by a sense of calm and ease. Many times patients will react to nitrous oxide with laughter, hence the name, “laughing gas”.
Common side effects of nitrous oxide include lightheadedness and a tingling in the extremities. Some people experience extremities that feel heavy. For the most part, side effects are not dramatic and the sense of calm that accompanies the gas is so overwhelming and peaceful that it is easy to overlook what minor effects remain.
The effects wear off rather quickly upon removal of the mask. If they linger for longer than normal, we can administer a stream of oxygen through the same mask to the patient. Oxygen has a sobering effect and lead to a more rapid recovery from nitrous oxide.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is also known as conscious sedation or twilight sedation, since it numbs a patient’s ability to feel pain, but does not put them fully to sleep. IV sedation is administered through a thin needle that goes through a vein in your arm or hand and administers the sedative directly into your bloodstream.
With sedation, we can work more effectively by helping you become as comfortable as possible using well established and proven methods. All sedation medicines are administered at our offices, under the care of an assistant.
This type of dental care does require that you have a driver to bring you home from your appointment, as it takes several hours for the medication to completely wear off. For more information about sedation dentistry at Fern Creek Dentistry, please contact our office today!
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