Sedation dentistry is an effective way to provide comfortable, quality care to our patients who experience dental anxiety.
Our goal at Hillsboro Dental Excellence is to nurture healthy smiles and ensure that you and your family members have excellent oral health and great smiles. Take a moment to look over the most frequently asked questions about sedation dentistry.
Does Dental Sedation Make Treatment Painless?
Local anesthesia is combined with dental sedation effects, making you feel comfortable during your entire treatment. Our dental team works professionally and tirelessly, so your treatment is always as painless as possible.
What Type of Dental Sedation Do You Give Your Patients?
We offer two types of dental sedation: Nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas sedation) and oral conscious sedation.
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is milder and can be used on almost all of our patients, including younger children. Oral conscious sedation is more substantial and is used for more complex dentistry.
How Do People Develop Dental Anxiety?
Several events may cause dental anxiety in people, depending on your past experiences and whether or not you have a generalized anxiety disorder. For many patients, a bad dental experience in the past or in childhood can affect the way you feel at any dentist’s office in the future.
For some patients, the cause may go deeper, like experiencing an unpleasant life situation while you need to see the dentist.
Whatever your reason for dental anxiety, we’ll do our best to help you have a good, pleasant experience at Hillsboro Dental Excellence.
How Does Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) Work?
Laughing gas is administered through a breathing mask that fits over your nose. The gas starts to work almost immediately and may make you feel like you are floating. After your treatment is finished, the mask is removed, and the gas wears off as fast as it started working.
Do I Need to Miss Work or School?
With laughing gas, you should be able to return to your regular schedule as soon as your appointment is finished. However, this also depends on the type of treatment you have done.
You’ll need a longer recovery time with oral conscious sedation. We recommend not driving for 24 hours after any oral sedation. Fortunately, we can schedule your treatment for a time that works for your schedule.
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Does Dental Sedation Have Side Effects?
Both types of sedation have very few side effects. However, some patients say they don’t remember much of their treatment, which is positive rather than negative. In rare instances, a patient may experience mild nausea or sometimes hiccups.
Does Dental Sedation Put Me to Sleep?
We only use conscious sedation, which means that neither of the sedation types we use put our patients entirely to sleep.
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) has a mild relaxing effect, and oral conscious sedation pills make you feel sleepy without putting you to sleep.
Our dental team prefers to communicate with the patient during treatment to ensure you are doing well. With our conscious sedation, you can be relaxed while remaining alert enough to answer any questions or respond to instructions.
What Happens After Dental Sedation Is Used and the Treatment Is Finished?
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) wears off very quickly (usually within one minute), and you can drive yourself home from your appointment.
If you received oral conscious sedation (a pill), you will need someone you trust to drive you home. We can give you specific instructions for recovery based on the type of treatment you had done.
Is Oral Sedation Safe?
Our office and doctor has been certified by the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS), the Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU), and the Oregon Dental Board. We utilize all safety measures when administering sedation dentistry. Laughing gas is often used with children without complication.
What Happens If I Avoid the Dentist?
Avoiding the dentist can have painful and lifelong repercussions. Regular cleanings and exams can detect problem areas that need to be addressed. A filling or sealant can go a long way in protecting your teeth.
If you delay your treatment when you need a root canal or you let an infection spread, you can start losing your permanent teeth. Excessive decay can also cause gum disease and oral cancers. Let us show you how dental sedation can help, so your smile can stay healthy and beautiful!
Do I Need to See a Special Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) Dentist?
Dr. Skinner is trained to work with several forms of conscious sedation. We have several levels of sedation available for our patients. When performing relaxation dentistry, safety and perfection is our top priority, and our various types of dental anesthesia can help us attain the right sedation level for you.
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For More Information, Call Hillsboro Dental Excellence Today!
Are you ready to get started on your dental treatment? Call our office today at 503-648-6671 to schedule your appointment! We can show you how dental sedation works and how it can help you have a more pleasant, comfortable dental experience.