Do you suffer from dental fear and anxiety? Sedation dentistry is for those who have had a negative experience at the dentist or have a generalized fear. Dr. Nechama Brand and Dr. Abraham Stein have the tools to help you get the dental treatment you need.
At Premier Dentistry at Millennium Park, we are passionate about providing comfortable dental treatment to our patients. Our compassionate dentists work with patients one-on-one through the treatment process so that they feel confident in our care.
Premier Dentistry is proud to offer dental sedation for patients who require routine checkups or dental procedures. Patients who do not suffer from dental fear or anxiety also benefit from sedation dentistry.
Avoiding the dentist because of fear or other reasons will only create dental problems that will progress over time. These problems can be costly and traumatic to treat. This is why we offer patients several sedation options. Learn more about this general dental solution below.
Who Can Benefit From Sedation Dentistry?
Anyone who avoids going to the dentist for whatever reason can benefit from dental sedation. This general dentistry service we offer has the ability to help patients get their oral health back on track. There are many other reasons why someone would avoid the dentist. As a judgment-free zone, we welcome all patients who avoid dentist appointments for various reasons and conditions, including:
- Patients with dental fear
- Patients with a low tolerance for pain
- Those who have a phobia of needles, blood, or loud noises
- Patients who have dental anxiety
- Those who need multiple dental treatments in one visit
- Patients with disabilities or movement disorder
- Special needs patients
- Those with a poor gag reflex
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
There are endless advantages to sedation dentistry. Offering sedation methods to our patients allows them get necessary dental care. However, it also benefits our dental team by making dental care easier to provide. Lowering the stress level of both the patient and the dental provider is major benefit of sedation dentistry. Additional benefits include:
- Provide pain-free dental care
- Give patients anxiety-relief
- Allows dentists to work more efficiently
- Reduces the patient gag reflex
- Cause anterograde amnesia (the patient forgets about treatment)
Types of Sedation Dentistry
To ensure we can meet the needs of each patient, we offer two different types of dental sedation. Nitrous oxide is a gas administered through a mask while oral sedation is a pill patients take before their appointment. Your dentist will review your medical history, current health, and oral health to determine the best type of sedation for you.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is safe and a common type of dental sedation. Our dentist administers it through a nasal mask so that it takes effect immediately. With this sedation method, patients are conscious but remain fully relaxed during their procedures.
Once we remove the nasal mask after treatment, the effects will stop immediately. Because of this, the patient will be able to drive themselves to and from the dentist appointment. Following their dental appointment, patients can resume all normal activities.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Another type of dental sedation is oral-conscious sedation. Our dentist administers this type of sedation method through a pill. Your dentist will give you specific instructions on how to take the medication. It typically involves taking a pill about an hour prior to treatment.
Patients will often remain conscious during their procedure however they will have little to no memory of their treatment. They will have complete control over their bodily functions and will even be able to respond to the dentist. Patients who undergo oral conscious sedation require transportation to and from their appointment. The sedation effects will take several hours to wear off.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Sedation dentistry is a valuable solution for anyone who has issues receiving the dental care they need due to anxiety, fear, or other reasons. If you would like to learn more about it, we have compiled common questions our patients ask. Our frequently asked questions about dental sedation will help you understand the benefits, candidacy, and more surrounding this service we offer.
Can I go to work after dental sedation?
If you receive nitrous oxide, you can resume your regular activities when you leave the dental office. However, you must wait at least a full day before going back to work or school after taking sedatives. These can hold effect for much longer. Wait a full day before returning to any activities.
What are the side effects of dental sedation?
The adverse effects of oral sedation are mild. Drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, fogginess, or memory loss are possible side effects. For most people, the advantages of oral sedation dentistry outweigh these modest adverse effects. Side effects from sedation often go away within a few hours.
What is the safest dental sedation?
For most patients, nitrous oxide is generally the safest anesthetic. Oral sedation that consists of anti-anxiety medicine, is also completely harmless. In general, semi-consciousness, IV, or sleep sedation carries the most significant risk. However, the risk of any actual danger is negligible.
Can I brush my teeth before sedation?
Yes, you can brush your teeth before dental sedation. You can also rinse your mouth with a bit of water. However, you can not swallow the water. Your stomach must be empty for sedation to take effect safely.
How long does it take to recover from dental sedation?
It usually takes three to four hours to recover fully from the or sedation however, each patient metabolizes medication differently. We recommend that patients go home and rest after their procedure. With nitrous oxide, the effects will cease immediately once the gas is turned off.
How many hours can you eat before sedation?
Avoid eating for at least six hours before your procedure. Do not eat after midnight the night before your procedure. If you receive IV sedation, it is ideal to arrive at our office on an empty stomach. Also, avoid drinking alcohol at least 24 hours before your procedure.
Am I a good candidate for sedation dentistry?
To find out if you are a candidate for sedation dentistry, call our office to book an appointment. The dentist will review your medical history, medications, current health, and oral health to determine if you qualify for dental sedation. The dentist will also help you decide the best sedation method for your specific needs and circumstances.
What is sedation dentistry like?
Most patients can expect to experience some level of relaxation during the appointment. This sense of calmness can even cause some to fall asleep. We will monitor your vitals during the appointment to make sure you are safe at all times. With nitrous oxide and oral sedation, you should be able to communicate with our dental team. After the appointment, the effects of oral sedation will take some time to wear off. You will need someone to drive you home for this reason. With nitrous oxide, the effects will wear off almost immediately after we stop administering it. With both forms of sedation, patients typically have little to no memory of the appointment.
To try dental sedation during your dental treatments and procedures, call our Chicago dental office at 312-586-8596. You may also schedule an appointment online with Dr. Brand to request a full dental consultation.