Sedation Dentistry – Marietta, OH

Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

Many different kinds of patients might benefit from having nitrous oxide sedation performed during their visit to Muskingum Valley Oral Surgery. You might be a potential candidate for nitrous oxide if:

• You are afraid of needles.
• You often experience anxiety or fear when visiting the dentist or other oral health specialists.
• You have a stronger-than-normal gag reflex.
• You have trouble sitting comforablty for long periods of time.
• You have sensitive teeth.
• You have a mouth that's resistant to numbing agents.

Keep in mind that certain patients might not be able to have nitrous oxide performed. In particular, it’s not recommended for anyone who:

• Is currently pregnant.
• Has sinus congestion.
• Is suffering from a respiratory disease.
• Is taking medication that might interact badly with nitrous oxide.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?

At the beginning of your treatment, a small mask will be placed over your nose by one of our friendly team members. You’ll breathe the nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen through this mask. You’ll start to feel the effects after a minute or two, putting you in a relaxed state throughout your procedure. You might be light-headed or experience some tingling, but these side effects are typically nothing to worry about.

Nitrous oxide doesn’t put you to sleep, so you’ll be able to follow any instructions we give you while we’re working on your smile. We can adjust the flow of nitrous oxide and oxygen as needed at any point during your visit.

Once your treatment is complete, we’ll turn off the gas and remove the nasal mask. The effects of the nitrous oxide will dissipate quickly; it will only be a few minutes before you feel normal enough to drive yourself home.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide doesn’t require any recovery time since it only takes a few minutes to wear off once you stop inhaling it. Most patients are able to return to their normal routines right away, which is part of the reason why nitrous oxide is often a more convenient sedation option.

That said, even though you don’t need to do anything special to recover from nitrous oxide, we might give you some instructions for taking care of your mouth after specific procedures. Make sure that you follow these instructions carefully.

What Is IV Sedation?

Unlike nitrous oxide sedation (which is delivered through your nose), IV sedation is administered straight to your bloodstream. The vein we use will normally be located on the top of your hand or in the bend of your arm. You won’t have to wait long for the sedative to take effect; in just a few minutes, you’ll feel completely at ease with your situation.

Compared to nitrous oxide, IV sedation can be used to create a much deeper state of relaxation. In fact, many patients don’t even remember the details of their procedure. Do be advised, though, that once your treatment is complete, you’ll need to rest for at least a day; it will take some time for the effects of the sedative to wear off.

Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation? 

IV sedation is often a good fit for patients who are undergoing various kinds of oral surgery, especially if the procedure in question is particularly lengthy. We also highly recommend it if you’re afraid of dental care of any kind, if you gag easily, or if you find it difficult to keep your mouth open for long periods of time for any reason.

Before you can receive IV sedation, we’ll need to make sure that it’s safe for you. Our team will review your medical history to make sure there are no preexisting health conditions that could potentially disqualify you from having IV sedation performed. In general, it’s not recommended for people who are overweight, have certain allergies, or are pregnant. 

The Benefits of IV Sedation

No matter your reason for having IV sedation performed, you’ll be able to enjoy the various benefits that it offers. For example:

• You will typically start to feel the effects of IV sedation very quickly. This is thanks to the fact that the sedative is delivered straight to the bloodstream.
• You’ll be kept safe and comfortable at all times. Our team can adjust the flow of the sedative at any point.
• Since you likely won’t remember anything about your procedure, you won’t have to worry about any new memories that could contribute to your dental anxiety.
• The sights and sounds associated with oral surgery won’t bother you while you’re under the effects of IV sedation.

How Does General Anesthesia Work?

General anesthesia in Marietta is administered while you’re in the operating room via an IV. Our team of knowledgeable professionals will have you hooked up to equipment that helps us monitor your vitals, like your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing, so we can keep an eye on how you’re doing throughout the process. To ensure you remain comfortable throughout the entire treatment, we can also administer additional doses of sedative through a face mask.

Who is a Good Candidate for General Anesthesia?

General anesthesia is recommended in more extensive cases of dental fear and for patients who are undergoing longer, more complex surgeries. Some common situations in which we recommend this sedation method include:

• Pain Management: Nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are excellent at helping patients relax, but they aren’t used to help manage pain during and after treatments. In cases where this is necessary, we’ll likely recommend general anesthesia.
• Lengthy & Extensive Procedures: If you require complex wisdom tooth extraction, are having a full mouth of dental implants placed, or require any other type of complex care, we may also recommend general anesthesia to help you remain still and comfortable while you’re in the operating room.
• Severe Dental Fear: Dental phobia is a common barrier that keeps patients from receiving the dental care they need. General anesthesia can take the fear out of oral surgery and provide you with a positive experience.

General Anesthesia Aftercare Tips

You’ll need to have a trusted friend, partner, or family member prepared to drop you off and pick you up from your appointment, as well as stay with you for the remainder of the day. It can take up to a day for the effects of general anesthesia to wear off, so you’ll want someone nearby to keep an eye on you and help take care of your basic needs. If you have any questions or concerns following your procedure, or about the side-effects of the anesthesia, please don’t hesitate to call our office.

Is sedation dentistry worth it? 

Whether you struggle with dental-related anxiety or you need extensive dental work done, sedation dentistry can result in a much more comfortable and enjoyable visit. Plus, there are several other benefits to consider, including the fact that it allows more dentistry to be done in a single visit. So, many patients find that opting for even a mild form of sedation, like nitrous oxide, is well worth it.

Does dental sedation make you tell secrets? 

A common myth surrounding dental sedation is that the calming effects will act as a “truth serum,” causing you to share secrets that you would’ve otherwise kept private. Don’t worry – it’s nothing more than a myth. Even if you did share something personal, you can have peace of mind knowing that information will be kept within the walls of the treatment room.

Does dental sedation put you to sleep? 

It is possible that you will doze off during your treatment. That’s how powerful the calming effects are! Ultimately, the likelihood of you falling asleep will depend on the type of sedation. For example, patients who undergo oral conscious sedation will experience a deeper state of relaxation compared to those who opt for nitrous oxide. Regardless, you’ll still be able to respond to verbal commands and, if needed, gently be nudged awake.

Will I remember anything with dental sedation? 

Even if you stay awake during your treatment, it’s very likely that you won’t remember much of your time in the treatment chair. The more powerful the sedative, the less you’ll recall. The good news is that the anterograde amnesia will help ease your anxiety moving forward, allowing you to have a more positive association with your dentist’s office/taking care of your teeth.

Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance? 

Since sedation dentistry is considered a “luxury,” it’s typically not covered by dental insurance providers. Of course, there are some exceptions. If the procedure is especially complex or you have a disability that makes it impossible to receive the necessary care you need without it, then coverage may be available. If you aren’t familiar with your benefits, that’s okay. Our team would be more than happy to help you navigate your plan and understand the cost completely.