Sedation Dentistry – Frisco, TX
Remove Anxiety and Fear
with Ease
For millions of Americans, dental anxiety or fear is not simply an inconvenience. It has the power to completely derail long-term oral health. In fact, many patients avoid dental care even if they need it because of their anxiety. That’s why On Point Dentistry™ offers sedation options to ease anxiety and fear, regardless of the type of treatment you need. With nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation dentistry in Frisco,TX, we can dramatically reduce your anxious feelings and help you get the treatment you need. Give our dental office a call if you think sedation dentistry could help you!
Why Choose On Point Dentistry™ for Sedation Dentistry?
- Kind and Caring Dentist and Team
- Sedation Ideal for Patients Young and Old
- Children with Special Needs Welcome
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is taken via a pill before treatment. It is most ideal for those with mild to severe levels of dental phobia or anxiety. By the time you get to our dental office, you should feel relaxed enough to receive treatment. Keep in mind that you’ll still be awake enough to receive basic commands and inform us of your comfort, but you’ll still have little memory of the overall treatment. It’s one of the most effective solutions for patients who would prefer to forget the experience of the appointment.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is usually recommended for adults who suffer from anxiety, fear, or something else that makes sitting in the dental chair uncomfortable. There aren’t any needles or facemasks involved. Instead, you are prescribed a small pill to take an hour before your appointment. By the time you get to the dental office, you will be perfectly relaxed and ready for your treatment.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
After the effects of the medication kick in, you will feel deeply relaxed. Some patients don’t even remember their visit. However, you will remain conscious throughout your entire treatment. You will still be able to follow the instructions of your dentist and answer questions. We will keep a close eye on your vital signs to ensure that you remain safe throughout the appointment. Unlike nitrous oxide sedation, the effects of oral conscious sedation can linger, so you won’t be able to drive home after your treatment. You will need to arrange for a trusted friend or family member to take you to and from your visit.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is a great option because it’s effective and doesn’t involve masks or needles. You are likely a good candidate if you:
- Regularly cancel appointments due to fear
- Are undergoing multiple procedures at once
- Have difficulty sitting still
- Have negative past dental experiences
- Have dental anxiety/phobia
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Have a long dental treatment
- Struggle to become numb from anesthesia
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
If you or your child have mild treatment fears, that’s perfectly normal. Large swathes of Americans face some level of dental anxiety in their lives. In fact, our office offers nitrous oxide sedation to ease such nervousness. This service gives patients a gentle calm to receive smooth and easy dental care. If you’d like to learn more about it, we’ll even explain its features. Simply keep reading or call our office for the details.
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
The best candidates for nitrous oxide sedation are those with mild to moderate dental fears. Still, this option can also benefit those with the following traits:
- Sensitive teeth or gums
- An overactive gag reflex
- A fear of needles
- Failure to become numb with anesthetic alone
- Difficulty sitting still for long periods
- A need for extensive dental work in one sitting
- Special Needs as a Child
Of course, nitrous oxide doesn’t suit every fearful patient. Should you have severe dental anxiety, you may be better off with a different sedation option. Some medicines can also negatively interact with nitrous oxide. Therefore, our dentists will review your medical history to ensure the sedative is safe for you.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
It isn’t hard to use nitrous oxide as a dental sedative. In most cases, setting up the process takes a few minutes at most. Our whole team can then freely perform your treatment.
There are only a few key steps to nitrous oxide sedation. First, we’ll place a mask over your nose and administer the sedative gas. We’ll then have you breathe the nitrous oxide for a few minutes until it “kicks in” and takes effect. Once it does so, we’ll begin your procedure while keeping an eye on your vitals for safety purposes.
In general, what you’ll feel from nitrous oxide should be mild to moderate relaxation. Other common reactions include some lightheadedness, mild euphoria, and tingling limbs. Either way, the gas will leave you calm and at ease for your dental care. It won’t put you to sleep, though; you’ll still be alert enough to respond to our staff’s instructions.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide has a mild nature, so it doesn’t involve a lot of aftercare. Its effects quickly fade once you stop inhaling it. That said, you should keep a few things in mind.
For starters, nitrous oxide needs at least a few minutes to leave your body. It’d be best to briefly wait in our office until its effects disappear. If you try driving before that happens, you could suffer a car accident.
Next is that nitrous oxide has no long-term side effects. After your brief wait, you’ll be well enough to resume your normal routines as usual. You can even drive home or return to your workplace the same day.
Finally, please remember to follow our dentists’ instructions. They may have treatment-specific recovery tips after your sedation. To stay safe, you’ll want to stick to these guidelines.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Sedation dentistry is completely safe for most patients with good overall health and when administered by a qualified dentist. Your sedation dentist in Frisco at On Point Dentistry has completed advanced training in dental sedation to ensure your safety and comfort. We will learn more about your health history, including any medications you're taking, to ensure your risk of complications is minimal. We will choose the best type of sedation for your safety and needs. Generally, nitrous oxide is the safest option, even for children. No matter the type used, you will be monitored closely from start to finish.
Will I Remember Anything with Dental Sedation?
Dental sedation can cause fragmented memory, which can be beneficial for patients who have had poor dental experiences in the past. Typically, memory loss is more common with oral conscious sedation. It may also take the effects longer to wear off than nitrous oxide, so you'll need someone to drive you home from your appointment.
What Does It Feel Like to Be Sedated at the Dentist?
Each type of sedation causes a different experience. As nitrous oxide is inhaled, your body may feel warm or heavy. Some patients report tingling in their extremities. You will become very relaxed and may even doze off for a quick nap, but you won't be rendered unconscious. Once the sedative is stopped, you'll feel completely normal within a few minutes. Oral conscious sedation offers different effects. It is likely you will fall asleep, but you can be awakened easily to respond to the dentist's instructions. You may feel groggy for a few hours until the effects of the sedative dissipate. It's important to take it easy for the rest of the day.
Will I Feel Any Pain with Dental Sedation?
Dental sedation can be used along with numbing medication to block pain. You will not have any outright pain, but you may experience unusual sensations or pressure. After the effects of any sedatives and numbing agents wear off, some dental treatments can make your mouth tender for a few days. You can manage any discomfort with an over-the-counter pain reliever and eating soft foods. Your dentist will review any additional aftercare instructions before you go home.