Dental anxiety is a very real and debilitating condition. The condition prevents many people from getting basic dental care and more advanced treatments. Instead of sacrificing your oral health because of worries about being at the dentist or having someone work on your teeth, ask the dental team at Beachside Smiles about sedation dentistry and how this option can help you have a positive dental experience.

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Types of Sedation Dentistry

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Several types of sedation dentistry are available and, depending on the work you’re having done, they can be used along with numbing treatments. This combination prevents the patient from feeling physical discomfort and allows both body and mind to relax.

  • Nitrous oxide: More commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is administered through a small mask placed over the nose during the entire treatment. Within a minute, the calming effects are felt, and most patients remain conscious during their procedure. Typically, there are no side effects and the gas wears off after the mask is removed.
  • Oral conscious sedation: Patients who need a heartier sedation during their dental care can opt for oral conscious sedation. A prescription medication is taken just before the dental visit to produce a sense of calm and relaxation. You may not drive to or from your appointment when a sedative is administered. You will remain fully alert throughout treatment, but anxiety and fear will disappear, and some people do not even remember getting dental work done.
  • IV sedation: With IV sedation, a sedative medication is delivered directly into a vein for the deepest form of relaxation. With this form of sedation dentistry, you may doze off into a light sleep while in the dentist’s chair. All sedated patients are closely monitored for comfort and safety. IV sedation is a good choice for patients undergoing multiple procedures or tooth extractions.

Reasons to Get Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry can be used for teeth cleanings, porcelain veneers, root canals, extensive mouth reconstruction, and nearly every dental procedure. Here are some of the most common reasons patients want sedation dentistry for their dental visit:

  • Scared of the dentist: Dental anxiety is so high for some patients, often because of a bad prior experience, they need this type of dentistry to spend any time in the dentist’s chair.
  • Having multiple procedures done at once: Your dentist can work more efficiently when you are calm, and patients who need multiple treatments can get all their work done during fewer visits when sedated.
  • Want to minimize number of appointments: Don’t have extra time to spare for several dental visits? Sedation dentistry lets you rest through your appointments while your dentist works faster to reduce how many appointments you need, saving both time and money.
  • Sensitivity: If you have a gag reflex, fear the dentist’s hands and tools being in your mouth, or are jumpy in the dental chair, sedation can take you to a place of calm where typical worries do not interfere with dental care.
  • Severe pain or trauma: If you suffer a serious mouth injury or trauma or you are in severe pain, sedation dentistry helps reduce the panic and fear so your dentist can do the emergency work that needs to be done quickly.

Get Sedation Dentistry in Manhattan Beach

There are some dental procedures that automatically qualify a patient for this type of dentistry so they can be at ease. These include dental implants, wisdom tooth extraction, root canal therapy, and emergency dentistry. Sedation, though, can be used for any dental procedure. If you feel you need something to calm you down, contact your Manhattan Beach dentist at Beachside Smiles to discuss the options. Find out how sedation dentistry can help you get the dental care you need.

FAQs

What are the sedation options available?

Have you been avoiding dental treatment because of dental fear? Fear the dentist no more! Sedation dentistry calms your nerves to ensure you enjoy dentistry again. Overcome dental fear with the following sedation dentistry options.

  1. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas): Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative inhaled through a mask, providing relaxation during the procedure. Inhalation sedation makes you feel euphoric and even floaty but awake to respond to cues from the dental team. Nitrous oxide kicks in immediately after you inhale the gas. Similarly, the effects fade away after removing the mask. This means you can resume your everyday activities immediately after treatment.
  2. Oral conscious sedation: The dentist prescribes a pill taken before the appointment. Pill-based sedation induces moderate to deep relaxation. You may doze off during treatment, but only a slight nudge is needed to arouse you. Patients remember little about their treatment, so they won’t recall the dental smells, noises, and other anxiety-invoking sensations. Unlike nitrous oxide, you’ll need someone to escort you to and from our dental office.
  3. IV sedation: This sedation is administered directly into the bloodstream for a deeper level of sedation. IV sedation can range from mild to deep sedation, where patients remain on the edge of unconsciousness. Even though you’ll be deeply sedated, you’ll breathe independently. However, our team will monitor your vital signs to ensure you remain safe during treatment.

Is sedation dentistry right for me?

Sedation dentistry may be ideal if you:

  • Have severe dental anxiety or phobia
  • Require extensive dental work in a single visit
  • Experience difficulty sitting still due to conditions like ADHD
  • Have a low pain tolerance or a sensitive gag reflex

Consult with your dentist to evaluate your needs and determine if sedation dentistry is suitable for you.

How do I prepare for sedation dentistry?

Your dentist will advise you not to drink or eat heavy meals for at least eight hours before treatment. Heavy meals can reduce the potency of sedation and induce nausea after the procedure. If oral or IV sedation is used, you will need a ride to and from our office. Share any allergies, medications, or conditions with your dentist to determine your suitability for sedation dentistry.

Will I be unconscious during the procedure?

Not really! Most sedation methods, such as nitrous oxide and oral sedation, keep you conscious but deeply relaxed. IV sedation can make you drowsy to the point of semi-consciousness. General anesthesia is the only method that induces full unconsciousness.

Do I need dental anesthesia with sedation dentistry?

It depends on the procedure. Sedation helps with relaxation and anxiety, but you may need local anesthesia to numb the treatment area for pain management. Our dental team expertly combines sedation and anesthetics to ensure the safest dental outcomes.

Is sedation dentistry safe?

Sedation dentistry is safe when performed by trained professionals. They monitor vital signs during the procedure and use appropriate sedation levels to ensure your safety and comfort.

How do I schedule a sedation dentistry appointment?

Do you need sedation dentistry in Manhattan Beach, California? Call (310) 643-6004 to schedule an appointment with our team at Beachside Smiles.