(972) 698-8000Sedation Dentistry – Mesquite, TX
Safe, Relaxing Treatment at Each Visit
Many people avoid the dentist because of overwhelming fear and anxiety, leading to unnecessary oral health problems. Others are simply afraid of the discomfort that they believe comes with so many dental procedures. If this describes you, Dr. Byron McKnight and Dr. Olga Stepanchenko can use sedation dentistry in Mesquite to lessen your discomfort and dental anxiety. With the right method of sedation, you can experience a relaxed and enjoyable visit that allows you to receive the treatment you need without the added worry or anxiety.
Nitrous Oxide
Using a mask that is placed over your nose, the mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen is turned on by Dr. McKnight or Dr. Olga, allowing you to inhale the solution and immediately begin to feel the effects. Within minutes, you will begin to feel more relaxed. You might even feel a bit lightheaded or as if you are floating. When using nitrous oxide, our team can adjust the levels accordingly throughout your procedure to ensure you remain safe and comfortable.
Most commonly, nitrous oxide is used when a patient experiences mild dental anxiety or requires a bit of help to take the edge off for a general dental checkup and cleaning. One of the greatest benefits of nitrous oxide is that the effects immediately begin to dissipate once the gas is turned off. This means you don’t have to rely on someone else to escort you to and from your appointment. You’ll be free to resume normal activity immediately following your visit.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Our doctors also offers oral sedation to provide deep relaxation during your dental procedures. Once Dr. McKnight or Dr. Olga has determined that you can safely take an oral sedative, he’ll prescribe Halcion to be taken approximately one hour before your visit. During your procedure, you will feel drowsy while remaining awake, and some patients become so relaxed that they don’t remember much about the procedure afterward. Dr. McKnight and Dr. Olga provides sedation dentistry in a safe, relaxing environment where you will be closely monitored at all times.
Because oral sedation does not wear off as quickly as nitrous oxide, it will be necessary to have someone come with you to your appointment and escort you home. This is for your own safety, as you will need time to rest after your visit.
IV Sedation
For even more extensive procedures such as full-mouth reconstruction, Dr. McKnight and Dr. Olga enlists the help of an anesthesiologist to provide IV sedation in our Mesquite dental office. Administered via a vein in the hand or the bend of your elbow, we will provide enough sedation to ensure that you are fully secure and relaxed during your visit. Because IV sedation is most commonly used for patients who are undergoing multiple procedures that are often quite complex, our skilled anesthesiologist will remain with you the entire time to make sure any adjustments are made that will help to keep you sedated and comfortable.
Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
It’s important that you are healthy enough to receive this type of treatment, which is why your sedation dentist in Mesquite will go over your medical history before agreeing to provide it. If you experience any of the following, however, there is a good chance you’ll be eligible to receive one of the three available forms of sedation during your next visit:
- Sensitive gag reflex
- Mild, moderate, or extreme dental anxiety
- Fear of needles
- Physical disability that makes sitting for extended periods difficult
- Past trauma at a dentist’s office that causes fear of seeking routine dental care
- Multiple dental procedures to be completed at one time
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Do you feel nervous at the thought of visiting the dentist? The good news is that sedation options are available to help you have a more relaxed, positive experience in the dental chair. However, it’s important to be well-informed. We’ve put together some of the most common questions and answers regarding sedation dentistry in Mesquite. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’d be happy to address your questions and concerns.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
For the majority of patients, sedation dentistry is safe. Before deciding whether to administer sedation to a patient, we will go over your medical history and current medications to ensure that there won’t be any negative reactions. During your treatment, we will also closely monitor your vitals at all times to ensure that you’re safe.
Will I remember anything with dental sedation?
Even though you are technically awake with most forms of dental sedation, you probably won’t remember most of your procedure. IV sedation is more likely to make you forget your procedure than oral conscious sedation and nitrous oxide. For patients who have extreme anxiety or negative past dental experiences, this memory loss effect can make getting dental care much easier.
What are the risks of sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is safe for most patients, but there are still some risks for some people. For instance, patients who have obstructive sleep apnea may be more likely to develop complications from sedation. Everyone reacts differently to sedatives. Some common side effects that can last for a few hours after undergoing oral conscious sedation or IV sedation include grogginess, nausea, and headaches.
How long does dental sedation last?
This will vary depending on the type of sedation you receive. The effects of nitrous oxide should wear off within five minutes once you stop inhaling the gas. You should even be able to drive yourself home with no lingering drowsiness. However, with oral conscious sedation, the pill’s effects may remain active for the rest of the day, so you should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery after your procedure. With IV sedation, much of the effects will wear off soon after your procedure, but you may feel groggy for several hours afterward, so you should arrange for someone to drive you home.
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