Sedation Dentistry – Fort Worth, TX
Helping You Feel Comfortable in the Treatment Chair
Dental anxiety and nervousness affect countless people, including adults, keeping them from scheduling important appointments and treatments that they need. Our team, along with Dr. Neil, strives to help everybody who enters our dental office feel comfortable and at-ease. That’s why we offer sedation dentistry, so you can look after your oral health without it taking a toll on you emotionally. If you suffer from dental anxiety, let us know when you schedule your appointment, and we can walk you through your options for sedation dentistry in Fort Worth, TX.
Why Choose Karen Neil Fort Worth Dentistry for Sedation Dentistry?
- We See Patients of All Ages
- Friendly & Experienced Dentist
- Flexible Additional Financing Available
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Plenty of people get a little nervous when it comes to dental work, but if you’re overly anxious, you might avoid scheduling everything from routine preventive services to more complex treatments needed to repair or restore your smile.
Dr. Neil and the rest of our compassionate team understand that you might be feeling afraid, so we offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation to help you feel calmer and more comfortable, regardless of the reason for your visit. Continue reading to learn more about how it works, and please feel free to contact us if you have additional questions.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Although nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is generally considered safe for most people when it’s administered by a trained provider, such as Dr. Neil, that doesn’t mean that everyone is automatically a good candidate to receive this medication.
We might recommend it for those who have the following;
- A fear of needles
- Dental sensitivity
- A strong gag reflex
- Difficulty sitting still in a chair for longer periods
- A resistance to local anesthetics or numbing agents
- Significant fear or anxiety regarding dental work
Before proceeding, you must consult Dr. Neil so she can update your medical history, including listing any current prescriptions and supplements you’re taking, to avoid potential adverse effects from the sedation.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Nitrous oxide is one of the most widely offered forms of dental sedation because of its many benefits. For example, it’s inhaled through a mask placed over your nose while we work, so there’s no need for needles. Then, the effects of the drug kick-in almost instantly once you begin breathing in the gas, and dissipate from your system just as quickly once the mask is removed.
Laughing gas isn’t intended to ‘put you to sleep’, so you’ll likely remain aware enough to respond to our team’s questions or instructions. This medication also typically induces a sense of calm and relaxation, and you might even get a case of the giggles, which is likely how it earned its nickname. But it functions by temporarily reducing your body’s ability to respond to external stimuli, meaning you’re unlikely to remember the details of your procedure after the fact. Many anxious patients consider this short-term amnesia to be another advantage of dental sedation.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
This medication doesn’t usually linger in the system, so there’s very little special aftercare required. However, our team might hold you for a few minutes after your treatment is complete to ensure you’re feeling well enough to resume normal activities, such as driving yourself home after your appointment.
Then, depending on the type of procedure you underwent, you may be able to return to work or school immediately after your visit. But if our team has provided additional post-operative instructions for certain treatments, it’s important to follow those recommendations to avoid potential complications.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe for the Elderly?
Before the sedation is administered to anyone, the dentist will conduct a thorough screening, ask about health history, any medications being taken, and ensure that sedation won’t interfere negatively with patient’s health or lead to unnecessary risks. Typically, sedation is recommended for seniors who have more complex dental needs and require multiple procedures, have a low pain tolerance, or who are very anxious. In some cases, patients might think that they need sedation, but after talking with their dentist, they feel okay to move forward without sedation. This is approached on a case-by-case basis.
What Does It Feel Like to Be Sedated at the Dentist?
Nitrous oxide sedation makes patients feel relaxed, light, and euphoric. Some people experience a slight tingling sensation in their arms and legs. You might even get the giggles. This is where nitrous oxide gets the nickname, “laughing gas.” You will begin to feel the effects of sedation just seconds after you begin breathing in the nitrous oxide. The effects will wear off very quickly, so you can even drive yourself home after your treatment.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
For most people, sedation is perfectly safe. Most people handle nitrous oxide sedation without a problem. Out of all of the options available, it is the safest for the highest number of people. Before determining whether or not to administer sedation, your dentist will go over your medical history and current medications to find out if there could be any negative interactions. While you are being sedated, we will closely monitor your vitals at all times.
How Long Does Dental Sedation Last?
The effects of nitrous oxide kick in very quickly after you begin inhaling it through the mask. You will feel perfectly relaxed throughout the duration of your procedure. The effects should wear off within minutes once you stop inhaling the gas. You can go back to work or school right after your treatment. You can even drive yourself because you will feel completely back to normal.