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.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Dental sedation offers multiple benefits to our patients as well as our dental team. Sedation dentistry:
- 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)
Sedation dentistry also benefits patients with these 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
Types of Sedation Dentistry
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.
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
Do you have questions about dental sedation? Read answers to commonly asked sedation questions from our patients.
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 anesthetic. We recommend that patients go home and rest after their procedure.
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.
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.