Have you ever felt nervous or anxious about visiting the dentist? Maybe you get a pit in your stomach that keeps you from regularly attending preventive dental teeth cleanings and checkups. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone! Millions of Americans feel this way and use dental sedation to help them receive the dental treatment they need to maintain a healthy smile.
Here's what you should know about sedation dentistry in Monroe, WA, at Sky Valley Dental.
Nitrous Oxide Takes the Edge Off
Nitrous oxide mixed with pure oxygen creates a breathable gas mixture that helps you relax in the dental chair. We deliver nitrous oxide through an inhalation mask, which works immediately to help you feel calm.
Also called laughing gas, nitrous oxide is safe for children and adults and can be used during most types of dental procedures. Most patients don't experience any side effects after treatment with nitrous oxide, and it's safe for adults to drive afterward.
Nitrous oxide is an excellent option for patients with mild to moderate anxiety.
Oral Conscious Sedation for Deeper Relaxation
We deliver oral sedation with medication our dentist prescribes for you to take an hour before your treatment procedure. The medication provides a deeper level of relaxation that is ideal for patients with these conditions:
- Severe dental anxiety or phobia
- Bad gag reflexes
- Physical, mental, or emotional special needs
- Multiple or extensive treatment procedures they'd like to complete in one procedure
With oral sedation, you'll feel completely relaxed, as if you're sleeping, but you'll still be responsive. The medication has an amnesic effect, so most patients don't remember the details of their dental procedure. Patients using oral sedation will also need transportation to and from their dental appointments and should plan on relaxing for the rest of the day after their procedure.
If you have questions about dental sedation in Monroe, contact Sky Valley Dental at (360) 794-5788.