For many people, going to the dentist can be a daunting experience. But with dental sedation at Fountain Plaza Family Dental Wallace J. Bellamy, DMD, those worries can truly be relieved.
Sedation can make the dental experience more comfortable and thereby keep patients from avoiding necessary dental care. To learn more about dental sedation or request it for an upcoming appointment, contact our Elk Grove, CA office today!
What Is Dental Sedation?
Dental sedation is a safe and effective solution that is used to help patients relax and feel comfortable during dental procedures. It involves the administration of medication that numbs the senses to induce a calm feeling while the dentist conducts services. Sedation can be used for various purposes, from a patient undergoing a complex treatment to a standard cleaning.
There are different types of dental sedation available, each with its own characteristics and methods of administration. At Fountain Plaza Family Dental Wallace J. Bellamy, DMD, we offer both local anesthetic and nitrous oxide sedation for our patients.
What Is Dental Anxiety?
Most often, dental sedation is provided to patients for the purpose of relieving dental anxiety. This is a form of mental health condition in which someone experiences unreasonable fear or apprehension related to dental care. The anxiety can lead to avoidance of necessary treatment, which can then cause further oral health problems down the road. Overall, dental anxiety can prove to be a significant obstacle for many patients.
The Benefits Of Dental Sedation
Sedation can make the dental experience much more comfortable, and enable patients to receive necessary care without fear or worry. It can also make complex treatments more manageable for both the patient and the dentist. Additional benefits of dental sedation include:
- Decreased fear, anxiety, and stress
- Shorter appointments with less disruption
- Reduced feeling of invasiveness or discomfort
- Improved patient-dentist communication
- Reduced gag reflex
Local Anesthetic
While a local anesthetic is not a form of sedation, it is often used in conjunction with our sedative services in order to make sure that your dental experience is free from discomfort or stress.
A local anesthetic is a medication that numbs the area around a tooth or a section of teeth that are being treated. This eliminates any sensations that may occur during the dental procedure by blocking the nerve impulses in the area. The local anesthetic can be administered by injection relatively quickly and starts working within a few minutes.
After the appointment, the anesthetic may take some time to completely wear off. Until it does, we recommend that patients avoid drinking hot beverages or eating solid food; this can eliminate the potential for an injury caused by the lack of sensation.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is administered by inhalation through a small mask placed over the nose. It is one of the mildest sedatives available, but its effects can be felt within seconds of administration.
The sedative produces a feeling of relaxation and euphoria, making it an ideal option for those who experience dental anxiety or fear. While the patient will remain conscious under nitrous oxide, it produces an overall reduction in anxiety—allowing patients to easily respond to the dentist throughout the visit while remaining completely comfortable.
Nitrous oxide can be used for patients of all ages and dissipates quickly upon the removal of the mask. This makes it safe for patients to drive home and return to school or work following the dental appointment.
At Fountain Plaza Family Dental Wallace J. Bellamy, DMD, we prioritize your comfort and offer dental sedation to make sure that your experience is as stress-free as possible. If you have any questions about dental sedation, please do not hesitate to contact us! We are more than happy to discuss these options with you and help you make an informed decision. Call today!
