Understanding Our Three Sedation Dentistry Options

If you’re among the nearly 36% of the population who experiences dental anxiety, sedation dentistry could be the key to improving and maintaining your oral health. The general and cosmetic doctors of TLN Family Dental, provide a variety of sedation options to ensure your comfort throughout your treatment.

Unlike general anesthesia, sedation dentistry does not cause complete loss of consciousness, but instead offers a moderate level of “conscious” sedation where you are technically awake but have short-term amnesia and don’t experience pain.

Sedation dentistry options at TLN Family Dental

There are several types of sedation dentistry available. You and your dentist will determine the appropriate option based on the amount of dental work you need and the severity of dental anxiety. Our goal is for you to be comfortable and have an amazing experience.

Inhalation sedation

Sometimes called laughing gas, inhalation sedation is nitrous oxide. You wear a mask over your nose and breathe in a combination of nitrous oxide gas and oxygen. The gas puts you at ease while you’re breathing it in. The benefit is it gives you a relaxed, floating feeling but wears off quickly once you stop inhaling it. 

You can drive yourself to and from appointments when you receive inhalation sedation and you can resume your daily activities afterward with no problem.

Oral sedation

Some patients prefer to receive a prescription for an oral medication that helps you relax before and during your treatment. Most oral sedatives are taken an hour before your appointment to give them time to work. You may feel drowsy as well as relaxed.

The effects of oral sedation can last for several hours. You will need someone to drive you to and from your appointments. 

Intravenous sedation

If you require extensive dental work, oral surgery, or have an extreme phobia of the dentist, your dentist may recommend intravenous sedation. IV sedation involves anesthesia injected directly into your bloodstream by a doctor trained and licensed in anesthesia.

The effects of IV sedation can last several hours and you will likely not remember the procedure at all. You will be required to have someone drive you to and from your appointments and remain with you for the rest of the day,

Who needs sedation dentistry?

People of all ages may need sedation dentistry, including children. It’s a great option for people who otherwise stay away from the dentist because of dental fear. This gives you the opportunity to conquer your fears and put your best smile forward!!

TLN Family Dental recommends sedation dentistry for people with:

• Dental anxiety
• Claustrophobia triggered by having the dentist and assistant's hands and instruments in your mouth
• Overly-sensitive gag reflex
• Special needs
• Difficulty controlling movements
• Teeth sensitivity

Sedation dentistry is also a good option if local anesthesia doesn’t numb your mouth effectively.

The team at TLN Family Dental is committed to ensuring your comfort and safety throughout your dental treatment. To find out if sedation dentistry can help you, call the office nearest you in Houston or Pearland, Texas, or schedule an appointment online today.