Sedation dentistry in Newport Beach, CA is an excellent option for patients who experience fear or anxiety at the thought of a dentist’s office. Adult fears can linger from negative childhood experiences in the dental chair. The sights, sounds and smells related to a dentist’s office can be triggering, bringing unwanted feelings to the surface.
Other patients are apprehensive about the potential to experience discomfort or pain during the treatment, leading to panic during routine procedures. These kinds of fears can worsen with the depth of the dental procedure required.
Sedation dentistry is offered by a large number of dentist’s offices, allowing them to provide services to patients who might otherwise postpone necessary treatment. When a patient is relieved of the overwhelming sensory issues that contribute to unease, the patient can receive the best, most thorough dental care in the safest possible environment.
Conscious oral sedation is administered in the form of a pill, and can be taken up to an hour before the procedure. Many times, a dentist will prescribe an extra dose for the night prior, to ensure a good night’s rest. Conscious sedation can also be delivered in the form of laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, leaving you relaxed and comfortable, but still responsive.
Deeper sedation is available through intravenous sedation, or IV sedation. It is the fastest-acting of all the sedation dentistry options, and brings with it a side-effect of memory loss, so most patients have no memory of their time when the drug is in their systems.
You should not drive if you have received IV or conscious oral sedation. It may be many hours before you are totally awake, and even though you are walking and talking, you are not alert enough to drive safely. You must arrange a ride home from the dentist if you have IV or conscious oral sedation. If you have received laughing gas, however, it wears off so quickly, you may safely drive yourself home.
You don’t have to face your dental therapy in fear, anxiety or discomfort. Talk to your dentist today to see what sedation dentistry can offer you.
