Patient FormsSedation Dentistry – New York City, NY
Don’t Be Afraid; We’re Here to Help
Do you get stressed when the time comes for your regular dental appointment? We know that many of our patients have dental anxiety or fear in some form, so we make sure that they know that nitrous oxide sedation is available to help them relax. Call us today if your fears have been making it difficult to maintain regular dental appointments. Dr. Sanchez can make the necessary arrangements to keep you comfortable while your teeth are being cleaned or otherwise treated, including offering sedation dentistry in our New York City, NY dental office.
Why Choose FS Dental Arts
for Sedation Dentistry?
- Relaxing Nitrous Oxide Available
- A Different Dental Office Environment
- A Team That Cares About Quality
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
When you arrange to receive nitrous oxide during your appointment, a special mask will be placed over your nose at the beginning of the treatment. The sedative will be mixed with oxygen, and you will be able to comfortably breathe it in throughout your appointment. This does not put you to sleep; you will just be so relaxed that you will be unbothered by anything that happens to you or around you. You should be able to return to your normal routine immediately afterward since the effects wear off within minutes.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective sedation option for most patients. It may be able to help you if you struggle with:
- Fear or anxiety regarding dental procedures or needles.
- An inability to sit comfortably in the treatment chair for long periods.
- Sensitive teeth or gums.
- A strong gag reflex.
- An inability to be easily numbed by local anesthesia.
Of course, nitrous oxide is not right for everyone. For example, you may need to explore other options if you are pregnant, have certain respiratory conditions, or are taking certain medications. Our team will be sure to ask about your medical history so we can determine if nitrous oxide is a good fit for your situation.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
The administration method for nitrous oxide is simple. We simply place a nasal mask over your nose, and you breathe normally. The nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen in order to keep you safe. It does not normally have a smell, but in some cases, it is mixed with a pleasant fragrance.
You should start to feel its effects within just a minute or two. You will feel relaxed and happy. Some patients even start to giggle, which is why nitrous oxide is sometimes called “laughing gas.” We can adjust your level of sedation throughout your treatment. When your appointment concludes, the nitrous oxide will wear off very quickly; it should be safe for you to drive yourself home.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Since nitrous oxide wears off so quickly, you can expect an easy aftercare experience. Our team may ask you to stay in our office for a few minutes so we can monitor you while you return to your normal self. If you experience any aftereffects, they should be mild; some patients have a slight headache or a touch of nausea, both of which tend to go away within a short amount of time.
Nitrous oxide will not prevent you from returning to your normal daily activities. However, you should be mindful to follow any aftercare instructions that are specific to the dental procedure that you underwent.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
What are the risks of sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is quite safe for most patients, but it does carry some risks. It’s only natural to want to know about these potential dangers.
For example, sedation can cause specific issues for patients with sleep apnea. A blocked airway often reduces nitrous oxide’s effectiveness or makes you inhale the gas poorly. That means a sedative may not calm you down properly, put you at risk of choking, and so on.
Sedation dentistry can also lead to common side effects like nausea and headaches. Should these problems occur, they could last for upwards of several hours.
Does dental sedation put you to sleep?
While it’s sometimes called “sleep dentistry,” dental sedation work shouldn’t put you to sleep. Only general anesthesia might do something like that.
The most sedation will do is make your memories of treatment a bit fuzzy. When that happens, a patient will often feel as though they slept even though they didn’t. You’ll otherwise be conscious and alert while sedated for your treatment, ready to follow your dentist’s instructions as needed.
Of course, it wouldn’t be awful if a sedative made you doze off. Our dental team can gently nudge you awake to ensure your treatment goes smoothly.
How long does it take to recover after sedation dentistry?
The time it takes to recover from sedation depends on your sedative. Different medications work differently, so the duration of their effects can vary.
Consider nitrous oxide sedation, for instance. The effects of its “laughing gas” – a calm mood, mild euphoria, etc. – wear off within a few minutes of a face mask’s removal. As a result, most patients can recover from it almost immediately; they’ll then drive back to their homes or workplaces.
Is sedation dentistry worth it?
For almost all patients, sedation dentistry is a worthwhile pursuit. It offers many benefits and perks that make dental care easier and more effective for you. These upsides are often priceless and can’t be simply quantified.
Delaying dental sedation is also a bad choice in most cases. Putting off care can lead to oral problems, forcing you to get pricier and more invasive treatments later. That means paying for sedation now will save you time and money in the long run.