Sedation Dentistry – Montpelier, VT
Get the Anxiety-Free Dental Care You Deserve
Have you avoided the dentist for years because of a previous bad experience, sensitive gag reflex, or anxiety surrounding the sights and sounds of a dental office? Don’t worry – our friendly, caring, and highly trained team at River Station Dentistry isn’t here to pass judgment. Instead, we want to learn more about your specific fears, determine how to give you the positive experience you deserve, and intervene with the necessary dental care. Sometimes, that requires the use of nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation! You can learn more about these sedation dentistry options by reading on or giving our team a call.
Why Choose River Station Dentistry for Sedation Dentistry?
- Patient-Focused Dentistry
- Multiple Financial Solutions Available
- Appointments as Early as 7:30 AM
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide is the mildest form of sedation dentistry. With that said, it’s incredibly effective at combating dental-related anxiety and helping patients who have a sensitive gag reflex or trouble staying comfortable feel calm and relaxed in the treatment chair. To administer the odorless, colorless gas, one of our team members will place a nasal mask over your nose and ask you to not breathe through your mouth. After a few minutes, you’ll begin to feel the effects set in. One of the biggest perks is that the effects dissipate shortly after as well, which means no lingering grogginess or downtime!
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is typically recommended for more moderate to severe cases of dental-related anxiety. It’s also a great option for patients who are undergoing more substantial dental care, like multiple wisdom tooth extractions. With this sedation dentistry option, you’ll take a pill prior to your procedure. By the time we’re ready to begin, you’ll feel utterly relaxed and calm. Since the effects will continue to linger even after your appointment, it’s important that you have a trusted adult drive you home.
Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
If you’ve been avoiding essential preventive or restorative dentistry because of your fear of the dentist, then you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our Montpelier dental team. That way, we can learn more about your fears as well as your medical and dental history. From there, we can determine if you’re a candidate. The good news is that nitrous oxide is suitable for most patients since it’s so mild. Of course, if that’s not the case for you, then we will determine what other options there are to give you the relaxing, positive experience you deserve at our office.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Obviously, just about any dental treatment that you’ll receive will incur a little bit of risk, but as dental professionals, we’re well aware of how to mitigate them. That means that, when we recommend you sedation, we can promise you that the treatment will be safe.
That said, sedation isn’t necessarily right for everyone. There are some patients who have health conditions or are taking other medications that make getting dental sedation a bad idea. For that reason, we’ll make sure to review your medical history before moving forward with your procedure.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe for Kids?
In many cases, sedation dentistry is perfectly safe for kids. So long as the necessary drugs are dosed correctly for your child, they should be able to enjoy the benefits of sedation with minimal risk.
Nitrous oxide is the mildest form of sedation, which means that it’s the one used most often for younger patients. However, for those with severe dental anxiety or special needs, oral conscious sedation can also be used.
Kids are often a little bit intimidated by the prospect of dental care, and sedation can be a way to calm them down for their first few appointments. That way, they can learn firsthand that oral healthcare is absolutely nothing to be afraid of.
What Does it Feel Like to be Sedated at the Dentist?
What you’ll feel during sedation depends on the particular kind that you’re receiving. Nitrous oxide tends to make people feel light and bubbly, with a mild tingling sensation in the arms and legs. It’s also common for patients to feel a little bit giggly while under the influence of nitrous oxide, thus the term “laughing gas.”
Oral conscious sedation, on the other hand, leads to a “heavier” feeling. You will experience a much deeper relaxation, and might even have trouble staying awake over the course of the procedure. Time may even seem to pass more quickly, which makes this kind of sedative best for patients with severe dental anxiety.
How Long Does Dental Sedation Last?
As you can imagine, the rate at which dental sedatives fade depends on the particular one you’re using. Nitrous oxide typically fades within minutes of the flow of gas stopping. After around five minutes after the procedure is complete, you should feel completely back to normal. Some patients choose to drive themselves home after nitrous oxide sedation, but everyone responds to these medications differently; it’s typically smart to get a ride home anyway.
Oral conscious sedation will linger for the rest of the day. You’ll need to get a ride to and from your dental appointment, and you should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery for 24 hours after your treatment.