Marketplace Dentistry offers both oral and nitrous oxide sedation for your comfort. Oral sedation provides a deeper form of sedation that can make any dental procedure painless and anxiety-free. Nitrous oxide is a lighter form of sedation that works well for less complicated procedures and has no lasting side effects. Each has its own benefits and uses.
How Do Oral and Nitrous Oxide Sedation Work?
Oral Conscious Sedation
- Method of Administration: With oral sedation, you will take a prescription pill an hour prior to your appointment. Your dentist will take into account your body weight and height in order to prescribe the correct dosage.
- How it Works: Oral sedation works as a powerful anti-anxiety medication that will make you feel very relaxed during your procedure. It is common for patients to fall asleep with this type of sedation and not remember the procedure.
- Depth of Sedation: Oral sedation provides a deeper form of sedation compared to nitrous oxide sedation. You are likely to feel groggy and continue experiencing some of the relaxation effects for anywhere from 2 to 8 hours.
- Best Uses: Since oral sedation provides a deeper form of sedation, it is often used for more complicated surgeries such as the extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth. Patients with anxiety issues may also benefit from this form of sedation since it will provide relaxation effects before and after the procedure as well as during.
- Side Effects and Considerations: Effects of oral sedation can persist for up to 24 hours in some patients though they will lessen over that time. Headaches, tiredness, and nausea may occur. It is also important to note that you will not be able to drive yourself to or from your appointment. Additionally, you should not plan to return to work or school until the following day.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
- Method of Administration: Commonly referred to as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is administered through a nosepiece attached to a tube that will pump in nitrous oxide.
- How it Works: When you breathe in nitrous oxide, you actually get more oxygen in your bloodstream than when you’re breathing regular air. This is a very safe method.
- Depth of Sedation: Nitrous oxide provides a lighter form of sedation that will not have lasting effects. The effects are only felt while you continue to breathe in the gas. Therefore, within minutes of your dentist removing the mask, you will begin to feel clear-headed again.
- Best Uses: Nitrous oxide is typically used for less complicated oral procedures such as fillings and routine cleanings. Nitrous oxide is also a good option if you know that you will be unable to take the rest of the day off after your appointment.
- Side Effects and Considerations: Side effects of nitrous oxide can include temporary weakness in the legs, dizziness, and loss of memory. These effects tend to subside within a matter of minutes. Most patients will be able to drive themselves after the appointment and even return to work. However, depending on the procedure you have had done, you may have pain that will make it difficult to return to normal activity right away.
Marketplace Dentistry Oral and Nitrous Oxide Sedation Scheduling
Unsure which sedation method is right for you? Marketplace Dentistry is here to help ensure you get the right sedation for your needs.
Call today to learn more.
