Sedation Dentist Falmouth
Saying Goodbye to Your Dental Anxiety
With extensive training in sedation dentistry, Dr. Hill continues to provide this beneficial service to her patients and has been doing so for the past decade! Recognizing the struggles many patients face when it’s time to seek professional oral healthcare, she and her team at Hill Dental Wellness are here to change that. With sedation dentistry in Falmouth, she can help individuals remain relaxed while receiving the essential services needed to ensure better oral health. Whether it’s a general checkup or same-day emergency dentistry that’s required, she can use sedation to create a more positive experience. She also happily takes sedation referrals from other general dentists to help patients in need, so don’t hesitate to call us today.
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Why Choose Hill Dental Wellness for Sedation Dentistry?
- Three Forms of Dental Sedation Available
- Dentist with Advanced Training in Sedation Dentistry
- Same-Day Emergency Dental Appointments for Patients in Need
Who Is a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is beneficial for patients who have anxiety about going to the dentist’s office. This is very common, and Dr. Hill takes pride in having a gentle approach when helping people overcome their fears with sedation. It’s also beneficial for people who would like to have all their dentistry completed at one appointment at one location. This allows for treatment that would usually require 4-5 appointments to be completed in a single visit.
There are different levels of sedation available, and Dr. Hill will start with a sedation consultation to determine what will be best for each patient based on their needs and expectations.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is achieved utilizing pills that are in the drug family called Benzodiazepines. Very commonly, people are familiar with the medication called Valium, which is in this family of drugs. They produce feelings of relaxation, sleepiness, and drowsiness. These medications can make a person’s memory foggy, so they do not remember much about their dental appointment.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is achieved utilizing an IV administration of a sedative directly to your bloodstream. This makes the onset of the medication’s effects very fast and well-controlled. It produces a profound state of relaxation. Dr. Hill has completed over 100 hours of continuing education to become qualified and licensed to perform IV sedation. She did her training in the DOCS (Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation) education program; only a few general dentists across the entire state have this level of permitting!
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Nitrous oxide is a mild, fast-acting, and effective form of dental sedation, which is why it’s commonly used among patients who struggle with dental-related anxiety. If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard of it before, it’s likely because you’ve heard it referred to as something else: laughing gas. If you are interested in learning more about it, including how it works, give us a call or read on!
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Dental nitrous oxide in Falmouth is typically recommended for patients who:
- Experience dental anxiety
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Need extensive dental care
- Have a fear of needles
- Experience head/neck/jaw pain
If one or more of the above apply to you, then don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our team at Hill Dental Wellness! That way, we can review your allergies, learn about your concerns, and determine if you’re a good candidate for this calming solution.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Nitrous oxide is administered through a nasal mask, which we will position comfortably in place after you settle into the treatment chair. After a few minutes of breathing in the colorless, odorless gas, you will feel a wave of relaxation wash over you. You’ll continue to stay calm and at ease throughout your appointment, and, since you won’t be asleep, you can easily ask questions and respond to the verbal cues we give you.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
One of the wonderful things about nitrous oxide is that the effects of the gas wear off quickly once the mask is removed. In other words, there isn’t a “hangover” effect. Instead, you’ll be able to drive yourself home and resume your usual routine!
Of course, we will still provide aftercare instructions pertaining to the care that you received. For example, if we performed a root canal, then we will ask you to take OTC pain medication as directed, use a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time, and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Some patients with dental anxiety also worry that sedation options might harm their general health, but thankfully, that’s usually not the case. This service is considered safe for most people when administered by a qualified professional, like one of our Hill Dental Wellness providers.
However, that doesn’t mean this service is ideal for everyone. Before proceeding, our team will discuss your concerns regarding your appointment or procedure and update your medical history, including listing any prescription medications or supplements you take regularly, to avoid doing anything that might harm your overall well-being.
What Does Dental Sedation Feel Like?
Your response might be slightly different based on your unique biology, but most people experience similar effects from the various types of dental sedation. For example, nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, typically induces a lightweight, tingling sensation, and you might even feel euphoric or catch a case of the giggles, which is likely how it earned its nickname.
Oral conscious medication in pill form typically results in a deeper sense of calm and relaxation. It’s not intended to ‘knock you out’, but you might feel so relaxed that you doze off during your procedure. Meanwhile, IV sedation generally produces the strongest effects, and it can take several hours to leave your system, so we might recommend having someone drive you home after your visit.
Will I Remember Anything After Sedation?
Although nitrous oxide and oral conscious dental sedation are intended to help you feel comfortable while remaining aware enough to respond to questions and directions, there’s a fair chance you won’t be able to recall the details of your appointment after the fact. That’s because these medications sometimes produce a temporary memory-loss effect, which many anxious patients consider to be just another benefit of this popular service.
Meanwhile, IV sedation does put you to sleep, so you’re very unlikely to recall your procedure once it's completed.
What are the Potential Risks of Dental Sedation?
Undergoing dental sedation may pose certain risks, especially to patients with certain pre-existing conditions or who take specific prescription medications. For instance, if you have sleep apnea, bronchitis, or other conditions that affect your breathing, sedation might interfere with your body’s ability to maintain appropriate oxygen levels. Also, if you’re pregnant in the first trimester, our team might recommend postponing your procedure to the last trimester or until after delivery to keep it from potentially affecting the baby.
Some other more common potential complications might include headache, grogginess, or nausea and vomiting, though this is rare with nitrous oxide (laughing gas).