Sedation Dentist Nepean
Making Your Smile’s Care Soothing
There's a pretty good chance you have a fear of dentistry, at least according to global surveys. Fortunately, a visit to the dentist’s office doesn’t have to be troubling. The truth is that we at Fisher Dental offer some of the best sedation dentistry in Nepean. As applied by Dr. Bal, it can calm you (or your child) down for smooth and easy dental care. Discover more about it by reading below or booking a visit to our dental office soon.
Why Choose Fisher Dental for Sedation Dentistry?
- Able to Serve Dental Patients of All Ages
- Multiple Sedation Options Available
- Kind & Gentle Dental Team
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Nitrous oxide sedation is the type most often used by dentists and suits patients with low levels of dental fear. If you’re wondering why this is the first time you’re hearing about it, it’s likely because you’ve heard it referred to by its nickname: laughing gas! If you’d like to learn more, including how it works, then read on or get in touch with a helpful member of our team.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
We often recommend dental nitrous oxide in Nepean for patients who:
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Experience mild dental-related anxiety
- Have a fear of needles
- Need extensive dental care
- Experience head/neck/jaw pain in the treatment chair
With that said, there are some exceptions. For instance, if you have asthma or another medical condition that makes it difficult to breathe through your nose, then we will need to explore the other forms of dental sedation that are available.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Nitrous oxide is administered through a nasal mask. Once in place, you’ll begin to breathe in the colorless, odorless gas. After a few minutes, you’ll feel a wave of relaxation wash over you, alleviating worry, stress, and nerves in the process. Then, we will begin to provide the preventive, restorative, or cosmetic care that you need. Throughout the process, we will check in with you to ensure you feel calm and at ease. If needed, we can adjust the flow of nitrous oxide, too!
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
One of the many benefits of nitrous oxide is that the effects quickly fade once you stop breathing through the mask. In other words, you’ll be ready to resume your usual routine right after your procedure! All we ask is that you abide by the aftercare instructions we provide pertaining to the care you received. For instance, if we performed an extraction, then it’s crucial that you stick to a liquid diet (without using a straw), use a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time, and take prescribed or OTC pain medication as directed.
Oral Conscious Sedation
For oral conscious sedation, you take a prescribed pill before your dental visit. This medicine (usually Halcion) takes effect by the time you see us and prompts a deeply calm state of mind. That said, it won’t make you fall asleep; it should leave you awake enough to follow instructions. You’ll likely feel groggy and out-of-sorts for a few hours after your care, though. You should thus have someone drive you home from our office.
Intravenous Dental Sedation
IV dental sedation is best done for adults with intense anxiety or who need lengthy care. It administers the sedative through an IV in your arm, so its effects are fast-acting and strong. You can trust it to leave you completely at ease in no time at all. Plus, we’ll monitor your vitals to ensure you remain comfy and safe as the sedative is applied. This attention lets us make any needed adjustments as care proceeds.
Anesthesia and Deep Sedation
General anesthesia is given to those who need several (or invasive) dental procedures. Often, it puts you into a dreamless sleep during treatment and tends to have lingering after-effects. For that reason, you’ll need to have someone escort you home and monitor your health until its effects fully fade. You won’t be in a state to drive a vehicle while the anesthesia is still in your system.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
When administered by a trained sedation dentist in Nepean like Dr. Bal, sedation dentistry is very safe for most patients. Before recommending any of our options, we review your medical history, current medications, and overall health to confirm you're a good candidate.
During your procedure, we also monitor your vitals closely so we can adjust as needed to keep you comfortable and safe throughout your procedure. Most patients experience only mild, temporary after-effects like drowsiness. In very rare instances, some forms of sedation can cause headaches, nausea, and lightheadedness. These are usually also short-lived, even if unpleasant.
Dental sedation is still one of the safest ways to get the care you need if dental anxiety is holding you back.
What Does It Feel Like to Be Sedated at the Dentist?
It depends on the type of sedation. With nitrous oxide, you'll feel pleasantly relaxed and a little floaty. Some patients describe the sensation as warm and tingly. Either way, you’ll remain fully awake and aware.
Oral conscious sedation and IV sedation create a much deeper sense of relaxation. Time seems to pass quickly, as your senses dull. Sounds, sensations, and anxiety melt away. You may drift in and out of a light sleep, but you'll still be able to respond to basic instructions.
General anesthesia goes further still, placing you into a dreamless sleep for more complex or lengthy procedures. Patients often tell us it’s like an afternoon nap where you wake up wondering what time it is.
Will I Remember Anything with Dental Sedation?
How much you remember often depends on which type of sedation you receive. With nitrous oxide, you'll likely recall most of your visit, because it's mild and wears off quickly. Oral conscious sedation and IV sedation create a deeper state of relaxation that can cause many patients to forget all or most of their appointment entirely.
For anxious patients, this is actually one of the biggest benefits. Rather than leaving with a vivid memory of every moment in the chair, you'll remember feeling calm—which can make the thought of scheduling another visit much easier to face.
Does Dental Sedation Make You Tell Secrets?
Not at all. Dental sedation isn't truth serum! Depending on the type, it might make you feel a little giggly or perhaps more talkative than usual, but there's nothing about it that will compel you to say anything you wouldn't otherwise want to share.
Even if you do happen to say something to us in confidence while under its effects, there’s nothing to worry about. Patient confidentiality is something we take seriously at Fisher Dental. Whatever happens in the chair stays in the chair!