Sedation Dentistry – Parker, CO
Experience Relief from Dental Anxiety
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who experience anxiety or fear when visiting your dentist, Dr. Rodney L. Allen can help you conquer your dental phobia with sedation dentistry. Our friendly team will treat you with kindness and respect from the moment you arrive at our office to help you feel at ease. We offer nitrous oxide to ensure the utmost comfort throughout your visit. You can sit back and relax while achieving the healthy smile you deserve.
Do You Have a Dental Phobia?
If your palms sweat or your heart races at the thought of visiting your dentist, you’re not alone. Dental-related fears and anxieties are more common than you might realize. In fact, many people avoid their dentist altogether because of their apprehensions. You don’t need to put your smile at risk. Your sedation dentist can help.
Nitrous oxide is an inhaled sedative used for patients who have mild dental fears. In addition, it can also help those who have difficulty staying in one position for too long, and well as patients who have pain while holding their jaw open. No matter the reason, nitrous oxide can promote a more enjoyable visit to achieve your dental goals.
Why Choose Nitrous Oxide Sedation?
Better known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is the longest used form of sedation. It’s the preferred solution because it is safe for patients of all ages, including children and the elderly. The sedative is mixed with oxygen and delivered through a mask worn over the nose.
Within seconds, you’ll feel relaxed to get the care you need. Dr. Allen can easily adjust the dose throughout your procedures to ensure you remain comfortable. Best of all, the effects of nitrous oxide dissipate quickly, so you can return to your normal activities almost immediately. You can even drive yourself home from your appointment.
What are the Risks and Side Effects of Nitrous Oxide Sedation?
Nitrous oxide holds a commonplace in dentistry because it has few risks and side effects. The most frequent complications of laughing gas are nausea and vomiting, which are rare and subside quickly. It is safe for almost everyone; however, women who are in their first trimester of pregnancy shouldn’t use it. In addition, patients who have certain breathing issues or other medical conditions may not be candidates. Dr. Allen will review your medical history to ensure it’s the right option for you.
Understanding the Cost of Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is among the most affordable sedatives used in dentistry. There isn’t a set fee for it because the cost is based on your specific treatment plan. Dr. Allen will provide you with a custom estimate and discuss your payment options, such as using your dental insurance. Our office will help you find the solutions you need to feel stress-free during your visit.
Don’t let dental anxieties prevent you from getting the care you need. Contact our office today to see if you’re a candidate for nitrous oxide sedation.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is sedation dentistry safe?
As a matter of fact, yes – sedation dentistry is perfectly safe. It won’t cause any harm to your physical health. Quite frankly, dentists take steps to preserve that outcome.
For starters, nitrous oxide is the safest form of dental sedation. The gas doesn’t trigger any lasting complications or problems. Instead, all it does is calm you down for your treatment.
More crucially, the dental team will monitor your vitals at all times. They’ll keep track of your blood pressure, oxygen levels, heart rate, and more during sedation. That way, you won’t experience any negative effects.
What does it feel like to be sedated at the dentist?
Generally, how your sedation feels will depend on the type you get. Different dental sedatives lead to varying sensations.
For example, take our office’s nitrous oxide. This sedative can make you feel calm, light-headed, and euphoric. It’s also known to cause fits of the giggles. (For this latter reason, nitrous oxide has the nickname of ‘laughing gas.’) In some cases, patients even experience slight tingling in their limbs.
Regardless of the details, though, you can trust sedation to keep you relaxed. It’ll leave you serene enough that your treatment will proceed smoothly.
How long does dental sedation last?
As it happens, sedative effects vary in lifespan. How long they last will depend on which sedation you receive.
Here at Dr. Allen’s office, our nitrous oxide has short-lived effects. The gas usually wears off once you stop inhaling it for five minutes. As such, it seldom results in lingering drowsiness. Most patients are well enough to drive home (or to the office) soon after treatment.
Of course, there are rare exceptions. Some patients react differently to specific drugs. Therefore, talk with your dentist about the details.
Am I a good candidate for sedation dentistry?
If you often delay professional oral work, you’d likely benefit from sedation dentistry. It’d greatly reduce your dental anxiety and make treatment smoother. From there, your oral health would see major gains.
All that said, dental anxiety isn’t the only reason to get sedation. You could also be a good candidate for it if you have:
- Low pain tolerance
- A sensitive gag reflex
- Difficulties with sitting still
- Lengthy dental work you want done in one sitting
In contrast, certain people are poor sedation candidates. These include pregnant people, those with certain medical conditions, and those who take certain medicines. Therefore, a dentist will review your medical history beforehand to see if sedation suits you.