Does your anxiety tend to flare up when you go to the dentist? You may be nervous about getting the oral healthcare you need, but many people share the same fear. While you may not be excited about your visit, your dentist is here to help make it a calmer one. With sedation dentistry, you can feel relaxed during your treatment, but what should you expect it to feel like? Here is what you need to know.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
In short, sedation dentistry is a medicine that you’ll get to help you feel comfortable and at ease during dental procedures. It comes in several different forms, such as nitrous oxide (or laughing gas), oral conscious sedation, and intravenous (IV) sedation. Each one has a different strength, so it can be used across a wide range of treatments, from cleanings to extractions, to name a few.
So, What Will Dental Sedation Feel Like?
You may now wonder what that relaxing feeling each one offers will feel like, so this is what you can expect:
- Nitrous oxide is the mildest, and it’s a gas you breathe in. It takes several minutes to kick in, but you may feel a bit floaty or euphoric. When you stop getting it, it leaves your system relatively quickly as well, making it a great choice for routine visits!
- Oral conscious sedation is a step up, giving you a deeper sense of relaxation. This is a pill you’ll take about an hour before your appointment, but you may feel a bit heavier with it. The effects last for much longer, so you may feel groggy afterward and will need to be driven to and from the office.
- IV sedation is the strongest of the three, and it’s administered directly into your bloodstream. You will likely fall asleep because of how calm you’ll feel, but it won’t make you. Not only that, but a trained professional will also keep an eye out for your visits to make sure you are safe while getting it.
Sedation dentistry can be a great thing for many patients. It can be the boost you need to help you relax while you get to the stronger smile you deserve. Although you might be a bit worried about getting it, your dentist is here to clear up your concerns. That way, you can start to enjoy the easier visits you deserve to have.
About the Practice
At Hill Dental Wellness, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Kelsey Hill and Dr. Kenneth Myers. We are dedicated to helping the Falmouth community get the healthier grins they deserve with a wide range of treatments. By offering sedation dentistry, we can get you to the comfortable services you want. If you want to know how we can make your visits easier, schedule an appointment or call our office at (207) 797-3130.