Sedation Dentistry – Jacksonville, FL
Helping You Feel Comfortable in Our Dental Chair
Patients of all ages experience anxiety, fear, and nervousness at the thought of visiting the dentist. Unfortunately, these emotional responses often play a large role in whether or not some people keep up with their routine preventive appointments or come in for treatments that they’re in dire need of. We want to help our patients who feel fearful keep their oral health on the right track without having a traumatic experience, which is why we offer multiple forms of sedation dentistry in our Jacksonville, FL dental office.
Why Choose Distinctive Dentistry by Mullens & Nguyen for Sedation Dentistry?
- Caring & Understanding Dental Team
- Serene, Clean, & Refreshing Dental Office
- Quality Dental Work from Experienced Professionals
Oral Conscious Sedation
If you get overly worried about dental visits or are planning to undergo a more complex procedure, you might benefit from oral conscious sedation. This pill is prescribed ahead of your scheduled appointment, with instructions on how to take it before you arrive. That way, it’ll already be in effect by the time we begin your treatment. Continue reading below to learn more about this medication and how it works, and feel free to contact us with any additional questions.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
This type of sedation is ideal for patients who have moderate to severe dental anxiety, strong gag reflexes, or a hard time sitting still for long periods of time. Usually, we prescribe a single dose that you’ll be asked to take before your scheduled procedure. The type of medication used can vary based on your unique health history and dental condition, but popular choices include Valium, Ativan, and Halcion.
You can typically expect the drugs to start working within about 15 minutes of swallowing the pill and for the effects to last until after your appointment.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
These sedatives are used to induce a sense of deep calm and relaxation to help you remain comfortable throughout your visit. Patients are usually still responsive enough to respond to questions or directions but might not remember the details of their appointment after the fact. While it doesn’t necessarily render you unconscious, you might feel so soothed that you nod off while we work.
Because this type of sedative lingers in your system, you’ll still probably be under its influence once we’ve completed our work. That means to get home safely, you may need to arrange for someone you trust to drive you.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
The only way to know for certain whether you might benefit from oral conscious sedation is to have a consultation with one of our dentists. Certain medications might not interact well together, so before administering any drugs, our team needs to have an updated medical history and a complete list of prescriptions and supplements that you take regularly. That way, we can safely determine the best method to help keep you calm during your visit.
You might be a good candidate for this medication if you:
- Suffer fear, anxiety, or nervousness over dental work.
- Procrastinate or avoid scheduled appointments or procedures.
- Have an overly sensitive gag reflex.
- Must undergo multiple treatments or must sit still for a long period.
- Struggle to keep their mouth open for an entire visit.
- Don’t respond well to local anesthesia.
- Have had a previous negative dental experience.
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Nitrous oxide is a milder form of sedation that you may have also heard referred to as laughing gas. It’s administered in-office as soon as you arrive and settle in one of our treatment chairs. We’ll place a small mask over your nose that will allow you to breathe in the colorless, odorless gas. Within less than a minute, you’ll feel the effects kicking in, helping you feel more at-ease. After we’re finished, we’ll remove the mask, and you’ll quickly feel back to your normal self.
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Since it’s effective at alleviating dental-related anxiety, patients often assume that’s the only use for nitrous oxide. That’s not the case! In fact, this mild sedative can be used to help patients who have a strong gag reflex, struggle with dental sensitivity, or simply need more extensive care. If you’re interested in seeing if you’re a candidate for this calming solution, then we strongly recommend scheduling an appointment with our Jacksonville dental team so we can learn more about your medical and dental history as well as any allergies or conditions you have.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Nitrous oxide is administered in-office. On the day of your appointment, we’ll walk you to the treatment room and help you get comfortably settled into the chair. When you’re ready, we’ll place a small mask over your nose that will allow you to breathe in the colorless, odorless gas. Within less than a minute, you’ll feel the effects kicking in, helping you feel more at-ease. Of course, you’ll still be completely awake, which means that you can still ask any questions you have or even ask for more or less of the nitrous oxide. You’ll also be able to respond to any verbal cues we give you, helping the treatment go that much quicker.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Since there isn’t any lingering grogginess with nitrous oxide, there really aren’t any aftercare instructions! At the end of your treatment, we will switch off the nitrous, allowing you to breathe in only oxygen again. The effects will dissipate within a matter of minutes, so you can drive yourself home from your appointment as well. Before you leave, we will give you aftercare instructions specific to the treatment you received. As always, if you have any questions, you’re always welcome to call us.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Whether your heart races at the dentist or you need dental work, you can sit back and relax at Distinctive Dentistry. Your sedation dentist in Jacksonville will create the personalized plan you need to enjoy your time in our office. They’ll explain everything and address any concerns during your consultation so you will know exactly what to expect. In the meantime, here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Will I Remember Anything with Sedation Dentistry?
There are multiple types of sedation, which cause different effects, like memory loss. You’re more likely to remember your appointment with nitrous oxide, but it may be fragmented. Memory loss is a common effect of oral conscious sedation, which can be a great option for patients with dental-related phobias or bad past experiences.
Does Dental Sedation Make You Tell Your Secrets?
Dental sedation isn’t a truth serum, but you will reach a high level of relaxation. You may even get a case of the giggles with nitrous oxide. As a result, you may speak more freely. Don’t worry about saying anything embarrassing because what happens in the room will stay in the room.
What Does It Feel Like to Be Sedated at the Dentist?
The effects of different dental sedatives are unique. Nitrous oxide is the safest solution for most patients, which causes the extremities to feel weak or tingly. Your body may feel heavy and any anxiety will fade away. You may get so comfortable that you fall asleep, but you can still be awakened easily. You’ll feel completely normal within a few minutes of your dentist stopping the inhaled sedation. The effects of oral conscious sedation are a little stronger. You’ll probably drift off to sleep, but you won’t be unconscious. You can still respond to slight touches, noises, or verbal instructions from your dental team. The effects can take a few hours to dissipate, so you’ll need a friend or loved one to drive you home. You’ll also need to take it easy for the rest of the day and shouldn’t make any important decisions.
How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?
There’s no flat fee for sedation dentistry because many factors affect the cost, like the type used. Dental insurance can partially cover the cost in certain situations. We will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize any applicable coverage. We also accept many payment methods for any out-of-pocket expenses, like CareCredit. You can pay for sedation using a monthly payment plan with little or no interest in financing.
Will I Feel Any Pain With Dental Sedation?
Your dentist can use a local numbing agent to block any pain signals. While you may feel pressure, you won’t have any outright pain. Although you won’t feel anything during your procedure, your mouth can be a little tender, depending on your treatment. You can manage any discomfort with an OTC pain reliever. Your dentist may recommend eating soft foods until any tenderness subsides.