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We know that visiting the dentist isn’t anyone’s favorite thing to do, but for some, they experience so much anxiety when it comes to dental care that they completely skip out on much needed visits. If you or your child aren’t exactly fans of the dentist, sedation dentistry offers a safe and reliable way to make those nerves disappear. With it, we can ensure a calm, cool, and productive appointment every time you come to Real Dental, free of unnecessary stress. To learn more about your options for sedation dentistry in Grand Prairie, TX, give us a call today.
Fear of the dentist is extremely common in both adults and children. However, for kids it can make sitting comfortably for even the most routine dental treatments impossible. The good news is that our Board-Certified pediatric dentist is proud to offer oral conscious sedation to help keep our younger patients calm.
First, we’ll prescribe an oral sedative for your child to take at home before their appointment. Then, by the time they arrive for treatment, they’ll already be feeling relaxed and calm. This will help their visit go by quickly, and they should be able to return home with very little memory of the experience.
Oral conscious sedation is dental sedation using an oral sedative. It requires no needles or face mask, and is ideal for children who are nervous, fearful, anxious, or who have a strong gag reflex.
In most cases, our Board-Certified pediatric dentist will prescribe one small pill that your child can take either when they arrive at our office, or right before their appointment. Typically, this will be either Valium, Ativan, or Halcion.
The effects of these sedatives are long lasting, and typically take full effect in about 15 minutes, depending on the medication used.
The effects of oral conscious sedation will linger throughout your child’s entire appointment. Once they do, your child should feel deeply relaxed and calm. Many kids aren’t even able to remember much of their visit after the medication wears off, which can be an added benefit in some cases.
During their treatment, your child’s dental team will continue to closely monitor their vital signs. They will still be conscious, so they can respond to instructions while remaining in a relaxed state.
Oral conscious sedation is an excellent choice for any child who:
Do you or your child just need a little help alleviating anxiety, worry, and stress? If so, dental nitrous oxide in Grand Prairie may be the ideal solution! After all, it’s helped countless patients over the years have the calm and comfortable experience they deserve at our office. If you are interested in learning more about it, including how it works and what the recovery is like, simply give us a call or read on.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” is typically recommended for patients who:
If one or more of the above apply, then don’t hesitate to let us know! From there, we can review your medical history, discuss any allergies you have, and determine if this mild form of dental sedation is an ideal fit.
Nitrous oxide is administered through a small nasal mask, which we will position in place after you settle into the treatment chair. Within a few minutes, you’ll feel the effects begin to set in. Patients often describe it as a wave of relaxation that makes them feel happy, warm, and even euphoric.
Throughout your appointment, you’ll be awake, which makes responding to the cues we provide easy. With that said, you may feel so relaxed that you doze off. That’s okay! We can let you rest and wake you once we’re done providing the care you need.
Not only do the effects of nitrous oxide kick in almost immediately, but they dissipate quickly, too. In fact, once the procedure is finished and the mask is removed, you can resume your day-to-day routine! All we ask is that you follow any aftercare instructions we provide related to the treatment you received, like sticking to soft foods for the next 24 hours or rinsing with warm saltwater periodically. As always, if any questions come up after your appointment, just give us a call.
Does your child have a fear of needles? Maybe the sights and sounds of the dental office put them on-edge. In both cases, sedation dentistry may be the solution; both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation have proven to be safe for children. We recommend bringing them in for a consultation so we can learn about their concerns, review their medical history, and determine if they are a good candidate. At this time, we will also answer any questions you have and share if any additional steps need to be taken prior to their appointment, like having them fast to prevent nausea.
Not usually. That said, there are some exceptions. For example, if you need multiple tooth extractions or you have a disability that makes it impossible to get the care you need without sedation dentistry, then your dental insurance provider may cover a portion of the cost. Ultimately, it depends on your unique plan, so reviewing the fine print is the best course of action. Of course, if that proves to be a bit difficult and you want some assistance, you can always give us a call! We’re proud to be in-network with Delta Dental, and we accept all PPO dental insurance plans.
If your dental visits usually involve worry, stress, anxiety, or fear, then sedation dentistry is absolutely worth it. Even more mild versions, like nitrous oxide, can effectively alleviate negative feelings like these, allowing you to relax comfortably in the treatment chair while we provide the preventive, restorative, or cosmetic dental care you need. At the very least, it’s worth scheduling an appointment to learn more about sedation dentistry and to find out if you’re a candidate.
It’s rare to experience nausea with nitrous oxide. With more powerful forms of sedation, it can happen, however. If you are prone to feeling nauseous, then we will likely ask you not to eat anything prior to your appointment. Many patients in this situation find it helpful to schedule their visit first thing in the morning so they don’t have to fast the entire day.
No, sedation dentistry doesn’t make you tell secrets. This misconception is largely due to movies and TV shows, which display people acting out-of-character for comedic effect. Plus, even if you were to say something you normally wouldn’t, you don’t need to worry – it won’t leave the walls of the treatment room.
