The realization among dental professionals that many patients avoid the dentist due to anxiety and/or fear has led to a more frequent use of sedation during treatment. As a result, patients can receive the dental procedures they need without experiencing stress prior to the appointment or discomfort during it. Sedation dentistry makes it possible for patients to receive gentle dental care in a comfortable situation without the anxiety, stress, or pain that accompanies lengthy, complicated, or invasive procedures. Here at Willoughby Town Centre Dental in Langley, we offer two types of sedation to our patients, which are oral sedation and nitrous oxide.
Our Sedation Dentistry options include:
What Happens during Oral Sedation?
When oral sedation is used for dental procedures in our Langley dental facility, the patient is asked to take sedation pills prior to the beginning of the procedure. After a few minutes have passed, the patient will begin to feel drowsy. However, the patient does not become fully unconscious, which is why this method is also referred to as oral conscious sedation. The patient might have some cloudy memory of the process. However, he will not remember much and will not feel any pain.
What Happens during Nitrous Oxide Sedation?
Nitrous oxide sedation, which is delivered through the use of a nose hood designed for the purpose, is inhaled by the patient. Also referred to as laughing gas, nitrous oxide must be delivered throughout the full procedure in order to keep the patient sedated. Although pain is not felt, it is possible for the patient to experience some tingling or numbness while under this type of sedation. The patient should arrange for a ride home since grogginess is one of the side effects.
