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Sedation Dentistry – Ambler, PA
No More Stressful Dental Appointments
At NeoSmile Dental Care, we always go out of our way to make sure our patients feel completely comfortable from check-in to checkout. For those who need a little extra help to relax in the chair, sedation dentistry offers a safe and proven way to get rid of any lingering dental nerves. We can use sedation with children and adults alike for any procedure they might need, ensuring that whenever someone comes to see us, they can do so without worry. Do you think sedation would help at you or your child’s next appointment? If so, give us a call to discuss your options.
Why Choose Neosmile Dental Care for Sedation Dentistry?
- Available for any procedure
- Gentle enough for children, strong enough for adults
- Skillful team committed to delivering comfortable care
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Dentists from around the world have used nitrous oxide for over 100 years to soothe anxious dental patients, and the reason we still have it today is simple: it works! If you’re wondering why this is the first time you’re hearing about it, it’s likely because you’ve heard it referred to as “laughing gas.” You can learn more about this calming solution below, including who is typically a good candidate.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is typically recommended for children or adults who need a little help staying calm and comfortable in the treatment chair because:
- They have a fear of needles
- They struggle with dental-related anxiety
- They have a sensitive gag reflex
- They need extensive dental care
If one or more of the above apply to you, then you shouldn’t hesitate to contact our team at Neosmile Dental Care. That way, we can learn more about your concerns, review your medical history and any allergies you have, and determine if you’re a good candidate for nitrous oxide. If the answer is “yes,” then we will add it to your treatment plan!
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Dental nitrous oxide in Ambler is administered once you arrive at our office. We’ll simply position a small nasal mask in place and ask you to breathe through your nose. After a few minutes of breathing in the colorless, odorless gas, you will feel any tension leave your body. At this point, we can begin providing the dental care that you need.
It’s important that we mention here that nitrous oxide won’t put you to sleep. However, you may feel so relaxed that you doze off. If that happens, we can allow you to rest or, if you’d prefer, we can gently wake you.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Not only do the effects of nitrous oxide come on quickly, but they also go away quickly. As a result, you don’t need to arrange for someone to drive you home, take the rest of the day off work, or deal with lingering grogginess. Instead, you can go back to your usual routine!
Of course, you will still need to abide by any aftercare instructions that we give you pertaining to the dental care that you received. For example, if we extracted a tooth, you will need to stick to a liquid diet for the first 24 hours (without using a straw), take prescribed or OTC pain medication as directed, and use a cold compress in 10-minute intervals to alleviate swelling.
Oral Conscious Sedation
For patients with more severe dental phobia or who need a lengthy procedure, your dentist in Ambler can prescribe you a medication to take on the day of your appointment that will help you feel relaxed. Once in the chair, you will remain awake and be able to respond to basic commands. The appointment will seem to fly by! You can learn more about how oral conscious sedation can change your dental experience for the better by clicking below.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral sedation in Ambler is a prescription medication that’s in the diazepam family, such as Valium, Ativan, or Halcion. You will take the pill between 15 and 30 minutes before your appointment, allowing for the full effects to kick in before your scheduled procedure.
Many patients prefer oral sedation because it doesn’t require the use of a nasal mask, and it’s completely needle-free.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
Just like its name suggests, being sedated using oral conscious sedation will not make you unconscious. You will remain alert and have the ability to respond, ask questions, or voice anything you’re feeling during your appointment. Many patients do reach such a deep state of relaxation that they fall asleep, but that’s okay! Our team will wake you up if needed.
It can take up to eight hours for the full effects of the sedation medication to wear off, so you’ll need to pre-plan to have a trusted friend or family member ready to drive you to and from our office. You will also need to clear your schedule for the rest of the day.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Our dentist will collect your medical history and get a list of medications you’re taking to make sure you’re a good candidate for oral conscious sedation. Then, once we verify that it is safe to provide you with the medication, we consider how you could benefit from oral sedation. We may recommend it if you have a strong gag reflex, anxiety, are undergoing a lengthy treatment, or it could help you have a better experience for other reasons. Our team makes sure to thoroughly screen each of our patients beforehand to ensure your safety.
If you believe that you could benefit from oral sedation, call us today to learn more!
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are considered safe for most individuals. That said, they may not be suitable for patients who are taking specific medications or have certain health conditions. As such, we’ll need to review your health history in order to confirm whether sedation dentistry is a viable option in your case.
Rest assured that at our practice, we take the safety of our patients very seriously. During any treatment where sedation dentistry is used, we will keep an eye on your vital signs to make sure that there aren’t any issues.
Is Sedation Dentistry Covered by Insurance?
You typically shouldn’t expect your insurance company to help pay for sedation dentistry. Dental insurance is generally meant to help pay for necessary dental treatments; thus, since sedation dentistry is often considered an elective service, it often isn’t covered.
That said, there are certain circumstances where sedation dentistry may be viewed as necessary. For example, patients with cerebral palsy and other disabilities may be unable to get dental care without being sedated. In these types of situations, there’s a good chance that your insurance plan will at least partially cover sedation dentistry.
Does Sedation Dentistry Make You Tell Secrets?
Some people become more talkative than normal when under the effects of sedation dentistry. However, the sedatives used by your dentist do not act as a truth serum; it’s unlikely that you’ll reveal anything that you would normally keep hidden. On top of that, anything you say while sedated will be kept confidential by your trustworthy sedation dentist in Ambler and our reliable dental team.
Can Sedation Dentistry Make You Sick?
Some people do become nauseous as a result of nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation. Fortunately, this is an uncommon side effect. In order to minimize the risk of nausea occurring, it’s typically recommended that you avoid eating anything for a certain amount of time before any procedure where sedation dentistry will be used.
Some individuals are more prone to nausea than others. In these cases, our team may prescribe anti-nausea medication. Be sure to let us know if you have a history of becoming nauseous easily so that we can make the appropriate accommodations.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe While Pregnant?
Undergoing sedation dentistry during certain stages of pregnancy can potentially cause problems for your unborn child. It can contribute to developmental issues during the first trimester, and it could increase your risk of experiencing premature labor during the third trimester. As such, if you plan on being sedated for dental treatment while pregnant, the second trimester is usually the safest time to do so. That being said, it’s typically preferable to simply wait until after giving birth to pursue sedation dentistry.
