Ease Your Nerves With Dental Sedation
Does your dental anxiety keep you from going to the dentist for your appointment? You’re not alone dental anxiety is common among patients. At Just Smile Dental, our Everett dentist, Dr. Webley has a solution for you. We’re proud to offer different methods of dental sedation to our patients to make their visits more comfortable.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry consists of methods and techniques used to provide patients with states of calm or even sleep if they choose to. Sedation dentistry allows patients to undergo dental treatments and procedures without fear and anxiety. With dental sedation, you’ll get to see your dentist and get the care you need to keep your oral health at its optimal.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is taken in pill form to ease your dental anxiety. It allows you to remain awake and responsive, making your procedure much safer and more comfortable. Your Everett dentist will provide and instruct you to take it at a prescribed time, usually an hour before your procedure. Once you’ve arrived at our office, you’ll be in a relaxed state.
A local anesthetic is still administered to ensure you feel no pain during your procedure. Once your procedure is completed, you’ll start to feel the effects of oral sedation. The effects last longer, and you’ll feel groggy and disoriented, but it’ll go away the next day. It’s recommended that you have someone you trust to drive you to and from our dental office. For everyone’s safety, it’s not recommended to participate in driving or other risky activities for 24 hours.
Specialized Anesthesia
If a local anesthetic doesn’t work for you due to immunity, we have an option for you. At our Everett office, we also provide a specialized anesthetic selection for profound numbness. We’ll also provide you with sedation of your choice to ensure a heightened state of relaxation without fearing you’ll feel everything or be aware during the procedure.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is sedation more commonly used in dentistry. It’s taken in a form of a colorless, non-flammable gas that Dr. Webley will have you inhale once we start your procedure. As the nickname implies, nitrous oxide is known to produce feelings of giddiness and euphoria.
As a conscious sedation method, nitrous oxide will help you feel relaxed, not put you to sleep. This method uses sedatives with pain medication to ensure you feel relaxed and won’t feel pain while allowing you to stay awake and be aware.
General Sedation
General sedation is used for patients who have severe dental anxiety or are undergoing a particular, extensive procedure. This type of sedation is only performed on-site by a medical doctor (MD). The medical doctor will administer the sedation intravenously and put you to sleep and a breathing tube is utilized to maintain adequate oxygen concentrations.
The medical doctor is present throughout the procedure to ensure your safety and monitor your health. It’s highly recommended you bring someone you trust to drive you to and from our dental office. We don’t allow patients who received general sedations to leave our office alone, as the effects last for several hours, leaving patients groggy for the rest of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, sedation dentistry is safe. Dr. Webley has the knowledge and experience to provide sedation to patients with dental anxiety. Furthermore, we also have a medical doctor on-site to ensure you feel comfortable and your vital signs remain stable. If any issues arise during your procedure, we’ll immediately stop and reverse the sedation at once.
Patients who have dental anxiety can benefit from sedation dentistry. It’s completely optional and can be beneficial for those who deal with any of the following:
- Dental anxiety or phobia
- Don’t have time for multiple visits
- Resistance to numbing agents
- Severe gag reflex
- Lengthy, complex dental procedures
- Suffering from TMJ, can’t open their mouth for extended periods
- Sensitive teeth
- Sensitivity to light, noise, and smells in a dental office.
Pain-Free & Anxiety-Free
Whether you need local or general anesthesia, feel free to discuss your case with your dentist. Dr. Webley and our dental team at Just Smile Dental want you to have an enjoyable visit and will do everything that we can to help.
To learn more about sedation dentistry, call our Everett office at (425) 341-1111 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Webley. You can also request an appointment by clicking the “get started” button below. We’re proud to provide services for our patients in Edmonds, Marysville, Lynnwood, and Silver Firs, WA.