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 her team have the tools to help you get the dental treatment you need.
At Premier Dentistry at Millennium Park, we’re passionate about providing comfortable dental treatment to our patients. Our compassionate dental care team works 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 need routine checkups or dental procedures. Patients who don’t have dental fear or anxiety can also benefit from sedation.
Avoiding the dentist because of fear or other reasons will only create dental problems that’ll progress over time. These problems can be costly and traumatic to treat. That’s why we offer patients several sedation options. We welcome you to learn more about this general dental service below.
Who Can Benefit From Sedation Dentistry?
Anyone who avoids going to the dentist for whatever reason can benefit from dental sedation. This service we offer helps patients get their oral health back on track. As a judgment-free zone, we welcome all patients who avoid dental appointments for many reasons and conditions:
- 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
Offering sedation methods to our patients allows them to get the necessary dental care without fear. But it also benefits our team because it makes it easier to provide dental care.
A major benefit of sedation dentistry is that it lowers the stress levels of patients and dentists. More benefits include:
- Provide pain-free dental care
- Give patients anxiety relief
- Allows dentists to work more efficiently
- Reduces the gag reflex
- Cause anterograde amnesia (the patient forgets about treatment)
Patient Review
Types of Sedation Dentistry
We offer two different types of dental sedation to meet the needs of each patient. Nitrous oxide is a gas you inhale through a mask. Oral conscious sedation is a pill patients take before their appointment. Dr. Brand will review your medical history, current health, and oral health to decide the best type of sedation for you.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Our dentist administers this type of sedation method using a pill. Dr. Brand 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 remain conscious but they’ll have little to no memory of their treatment. They’ll have complete control over their bodily functions and will even be able to respond to the dentist. Patients who undergo oral conscious sedation need transportation to and from their appointment. The sedation effects will take several hours to wear off.
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.
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 appointment. Patients can go back to their everyday life right after their dental appointment, depending on the treatment they get.
Frequently Asked Questions
If fear or anxiety has ever kept you from getting the dental care you need, you’re not alone. Sedation dentistry is a great solution for many people. To help you feel more comfortable, we’ve put together answers to the questions our patients ask most often. Here, you can learn about the advantages and see if it might be the right choice for you.
Can I go to work after dental sedation?
If you get nitrous oxide, you can resume your regular activities when you leave the dental office. We recommend that you wait at least a full day before you go back to work or school after you take sedatives. These can hold effect for much longer, so wait a full day before you return 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 minor adverse effects. Side effects from sedation often go away within a few hours.
What’s 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 sedation, or sleep sedation carries the greatest risk. However, the risk of any actual danger is minor.
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. But you can’t 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 oral sedation. But each patient metabolizes medication at a different rate. We recommend that patients go home and rest after their procedure. With nitrous oxide, the effects will stop after we turn off the gas and remove your nasal mask.
How many hours can you eat before sedation?
For your safety, you want to be on an empty stomach. Please don’t eat any food for at least 6 hours before your appointment. A good rule is to have nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before. You should also avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours beforehand.
Am I a good candidate for sedation?
Dr. Brand will help you determine if you’re a good candidate. Dr. Brand will review your medical history, medications, current health, and oral health to decide if you qualify for dental sedation. She’ll also help you decide the best method for your specific needs and treatments.
You may not be a good candidate for inhalation sedation if you have breathing issues, sleep apnea, COPD, or sinus problems. Dr. Brand will take these problems into account so she can recommend the right option for you.
What’s sedation dentistry like?
Most patients can expect to have some level of relaxation during their treatment. This sense of calmness can even cause some to fall asleep. We’ll monitor your vitals to make sure you’re safe. You can also communicate with our dental team.
The effects of oral sedation will take some time to wear off after your appointment. You’ll need someone to drive you home for this reason. With nitrous oxide, the effects will wear off almost immediately after we stop administering it. Patients have little to no memory of the appointment with both forms of sedation.
Schedule a Dental Visit Today
Do you want pain-free dentistry? Call our Chicago dental office at 708-729-9498 to try dental sedation during your dental treatments. You may also schedule an appointment online at any time. Premier Dentistry at Millennium Park is your trusted dental practice for all ages in the Chicago Loop.