How Does Sedation Dentistry Work?

Many people feel nervous about going to the oral surgeon, especially if undergoing a lengthy procedure. Sedation helps patients remain calm during dental procedures. Whether you are anxious or simply want to relax while the dentist does their work, sedation dentistry may be right for you.

Advantages of Sedation Dentistry

Helps Patients with Anxiety

Patients who feel anxious about dental work often avoid visiting the office. The longer they put off necessary dental procedures, the more likely their issues will worsen. Waiting to have dental work done only makes it more expensive and time-consuming. 

Patients can keep appointments and maintain their dental health with sedation dentistry without undue stress and worry.

Lowers Discomfort

While oral surgeons expertly use local anesthesia to block sensation, sedation helps to reduce or eliminate discomfort during appointments.

Proven Safe for Most Patients

Patients of all ages can safely take advantage of sedation dentistry, with a few exceptions for certain medical conditions like pregnancy and heart disease.

Our Sedation Options

We offer two types of sedation in our oral surgery practice:

• Nitrous Oxide
• IV Deep Sedation 

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is a clear, colorless, odorless gas that provides light sedation. Nitrous oxide replaces some of the oxygen in your lungs and prevents it from reaching your brain. This gas produces calm and euphoria, helping a dental procedure go by quickly.

Before your procedure, the oral surgeon applies a small mask to your nose to flow the gas. The surgeon will gradually increase the gas level until you feel its effects. During the procedure, the oral surgeon can adjust the gas level up and down to accommodate you.

When the procedure is almost over, the oral surgeon lowers the nitrous oxide flowing through the mask and replaces it with pure oxygen. Breathing the oxygen for a few minutes flushes the nitrous oxide from your system and allows you to return to normal within minutes.

With nitrous oxide, you can drive yourself from the appointment and return immediately to your normal daily activities, including work or school.

IV Deep Sedation

Many patients opt for IV sedation when they are having wisdom teeth removed. With IV sedation, you will be unconscious during your appointment and not feel anything. You will need vital sign monitoring and careful supervision during your appointment.

This type of sedation works by inserting an IV in your arm or hand and allowing the drug to enter your bloodstream. The sedation takes immediate effect and stays stable during your procedure. You will not feel, hear, see, or remember anything from your procedure.

After your procedure, the oral surgeon will remove the medication and allow you to recover. You will need careful adult supervision and a responsible driver to take you home from your appointment. You will need to rest quietly for the rest of the day and follow our post-operative instructions.

Call Braasch Oral Surgery

Sedation dentistry can help you tolerate lengthy appointments and relieve anxiety. We can answer your questions about sedation dentistry at any time. Please call our Bedford, NH, office at 603-657-1984 for more information or to make an appointment.