Sedation Dentistry in Tucson, AZ

What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?

While nitrous oxide sedation is administered via a nose mask and IV sedation is given through a small needle, oral conscious sedation simply uses a medication that you’ll take by mouth. It will either be a liquid or a pill that you’ll be instructed to take at some point before your visit, often before you even reach our office. This allows patients to enjoy a reliable form of sedation without any needles or masks, which can cause more anxiety for some. It’s also a great choice for patients who get so nervous before their appointments that then tend to cancel or reschedule them. Most often, we recommend oral conscious sedation for people who are undergoing a longer or more complex treatment.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

Once you’ve taken your prescribed medication, you will slowly begin to feel relaxed over time. By the time you get settled into the dental examination chair, you’ll be in a dreamlike state. Some patients feel as though their arms and legs are especially heavy, or that time is moving very quickly. You’ll remain conscious throughout your appointment, but you’ll be completely oblivious to the sensations that would typically cause you distress. In fact, many patients feel so comfortable that they fall asleep! However, should you nod off during your treatment, we’ll easily be able to awaken you with a gentle nudge.

You’ll continue to feel quite groggy for several hours after your appointment. That’s why you’ll need a trusted friend or family member to drive you home, where you should plan on taking it easy for the rest of the day. The effects of the sedation should wear off by the end of the evening or first thing in the morning.

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

The majority of patients make excellent candidates for oral conscious sedation. Nevertheless, we’ll need to see you for a consultation first to make sure oral conscious sedation is the safest and most effective option for you. In general, we recommend oral conscious sedation for patients who:

• Feel moderately afraid or anxious during dental appointments
• Tend to cancel or postpone their appointments at the last minute due to fear
• Have jaw, neck, or back pain that makes sitting in the examination chair uncomfortable
• Have trouble sitting still for extended periods of time
• Are planning on undergoing a long or complex treatment

Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide is an excellent sedation option for patients of virtually all ages. It can help those who are mildly anxious about dental treatment, as well as individuals who struggle with a sensitive gag reflex, a fear of needles, or difficult sitting still for long periods of time. It is also suitable for people who are not easily numbed by local anesthesia.

Of course, nitrous oxide is not ideal for everyone. Pregnant individuals, people with certain respiratory conditions, and those who are taking certain medications should not use it. If you have any contraindications for nitrous oxide, your sedation dentist in Tucson will explore other methods for helping you relax.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?

Nitrous oxide is administered through a small nasal mask, which we will provide for you. Once you are settled in, we will release a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen into the mask. Within a minute or two after you start to breathe it in, you should begin to feel calm and relaxed. Some patients also feel somewhat giddy (that is why nitrous oxide is also known as “laughing gas”).

After your dental procedure, we will remove your nasal mask, and the effects of the sedation should wear off within a minute or two. You can expect to be alert enough to drive yourself home.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide

Even though the effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly, you can still expect to have to stay in our office for a few minutes after your procedure. We will monitor you for any signs of an adverse reaction to the sedative (which is quite rare). Once we are sure you are doing well enough to drive home, we will send you on your way so you can get back to your normal routine or go home to rest.

Be sure to follow any post-treatment instructions provided by our team. Your diligence will contribute to a smooth and complication-free recovery.

What Is IV Sedation?

You’re probably familiar with an IV in a medical context, and IV sedation shares a lot of similarities. Instead of inhaling a gas or taking medication, this method involves a powerful sedative being administered directly into the patient via a vein in their hand or arm. This allows it to take effect almost immediately and put the patient in a deep state of relaxation that will last throughout their entire appointment.

It’s often referred to as “twilight sedation,” because afterward, the patient doesn’t really remember what happened, and they feel like they just woke up from a nice, long nap (despite staying conscious the entire time).

Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation? 

Dr. Lopez will often recommend IV sedation for patients who:

• Have severe dental anxiety that has caused them to avoid appointments
• Need to undergo multiple procedures in a single visit
• Have a sensitive gag reflex
• Don’t respond to anesthetic very well
• Have back or neck pain that makes sitting uncomfortable

For the patients’ safety, Dr. Lopez will ask about their medical history and any medications they are taking beforehand to ensure the entire procedure goes smoothly.

The Benefits of IV Sedation

IV sedation is able to:

• Help a patient overcome even the worst dental nerves
• Sedate someone very quickly and gently
• Be adjusted throughout a procedure to ensure the patient is as comfortable as possible
• Allow a fearful patient to finally get the treatment they need without enduring trauma
• Help Dr. Lopez and his team work efficiently and conservatively
• Enable our team to complete several procedures at once to save time

If you think IV sedation might be right for you, simply let our team know, and Dr. Lopez will be sure to talk to you about it and ask about anything else he could do to keep you comfortable and calm. To learn more or schedule an appointment, click here.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

Absolutely. When administered by a seasoned professional like Dr. Lopez, sedation dentistry is reliably effective and safe. With his advanced training in sedation and years of experience, you can rest assured that Dr. Lopez will put your safety and health first during whichever type of dental sedation is right for you. Beforehand, he’ll thoroughly review your health and medical history to determine which type of sedation is the safest and most effective choice for your unique situation.

Will I Feel Any Pain with Dental Sedation?

Sedation dentistry can help alleviate practically all forms of discomfort during a dental treatment, both emotional and physical. Not only will you feel relaxed, light, and at-ease, but you will remain conscious and you won’t feel any pain. While you may feel some slight pressure in your mouth occasionally as we work, you won’t feel any discomfort or sensitivity. Depending on what kind of treatment you’re getting, we will also likely numb your mouth with a reliable anesthetic.

Who Shouldn’t Get Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry can be used for all types of treatments, from simple fillings to complex tooth extractions. Most patients are an excellent candidate for one or more forms of dental sedation. However, there are some cases that may limit which type will be best for you or if sedation is a good choice for you in general. Typically, we don’t recommend dental sedation for patients who:

• Are pregnant
• Have obstructive sleep apnea
• Are currently experiencing nasal congestion
• Have breathing problems or a respiratory illness
• Are at-risk because of certain medical conditions

During your initial consultation, Dr. Lopez will be happy to discuss all your options for safely making your dental care as affordable as possible.

Is Sedation Dentistry Covered By Dental Insurance?

Every dental insurance plan covers different treatments and services, so there is no single answer to this question. Typically, dental insurance will not cover all types of sedation in every case. For example, your plan may cover sedation for complex procedures like tooth extractions, but not less invasive treatments like preparing teeth for dental crowns. It’s best to call your insurance provider to learn exactly what your policy covers. Alternatively, our knowledgeable team would be happy to review your dental insurance details with you to ensure your benefits are being maximized.

What are the risks of sedation dentistry? 

Dental sedation work is pretty safe for most patients. Overall, it rarely leads to harsh side effects. Even so, its sedatives can be risky for some. Folks will often react oddly to varying medicines.

For example, take people who have prior health issues. Those with sleep apnea may not inhale the sedative well. Similarly, diabetes patients may react poorly to certain sedation options. You should thus consult your dentist before trying their sedatives. They’ll review your medical history to find the right medication for you.

Of course, do note that sedation is usually safe. Its common effects are simply nausea, headaches, or grogginess. So, the process should only be a benefit to you.

How long does dental sedation last? 

Normally, sedation’s lifespan depends on its type. Some dental sedatives last longer than others. As such, different options can have short or persistent effects.

Nitrous oxide sedation doesn’t last long at all. Once you’ve stopped inhaling the gas, its effects should wear off within five minutes. You’ll be ready to drive back home or head to your job. After all, there won’t be any lingering drowsiness.

In contrast, other dental sedatives take time to run their course. If you get oral conscious sedation, the pill’s effects may remain active for the whole day. Meanwhile, getting sedated via IV can leave you groggy for hours afterward. In either case, it’s best to have someone drive you home.

Can dental sedation make you sick? 

Dental sedation rarely makes patients sick. That said, it can do so at times. The risk will depend on the sedative you get.

With nitrous oxide sedation, nausea seldom happens. The process just promotes calm through its “laughing gas.” However, the odds of it can rise as you inhale said gas longer.

Due to its strength, oral conscious sedation has a slightly higher risk of nausea. That means you shouldn’t eat a few hours before care. (If you do, the pill’s effects may promote queasiness.)

Lastly, IV sedation carries the highest odds of nausea. After all, it’s the strongest dental sedative aside from anesthesia.

(If you’re prone to nausea, let us know; we could give you an anti-nausea drug. )

Will I remember anything with dental sedation? 

True, dental sedation should leave you awake. It leaves you calm instead of sleepy. Still, you likely won’t remember much of your procedure.

You see, dental sedatives affect short-term memory. They keep you from paying close attention to the world around you. In doing so, they (temporarily) disrupt your ability to form memories.

All that said, there are exceptions. The memory loss effect is more likely with IV sedation than other kinds.