Sedation Dentistry – Wilton Manors, FL
No More Stress at the Dentist
We want our patients to feel completely comfortable from check-in to checkout, but if going to the dentist makes you feel a bit nervous or even completely terrified, know that our team is ready to help using sedation dentistry. These safe and proven methods can protect someone from physical pain and calm racing thoughts to make any appointment a pleasant experience no matter what kind of procedure you need. We pride ourselves on providing an unmatched level of customer service, so please let us know anything we can do to improve your next dental appointment.
Why Choose Island City Dental for Sedation Dentistry?
- Warm, friendly, & welcoming atmosphere
- Concierge-level service at every appointment
- Sedation methods that can be personalized for every patient
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Plenty of patients feel a little nervous when it comes to dental visits, but if you’re overly anxious, you might avoid everything from routine preventive care to more significant repairs or restorations.
Our compassionate team believes that everyone deserves access to quality dental services, and is happy to provide nitrous oxide sedation, more commonly known as laughing gas, to help you remain calm and relaxed throughout your appointment. Continue reading to learn more about this service and when it might be recommended!
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
This medication can be a simple and effective way to help you through everything from routine checkups and cleanings to more complex treatments and procedures. It is often recommended for those who have:
- A fear of needles
- A resistance to local anesthetics
- Dental sensitivity
- Severe anxiety around dental visits
- A strong gag reflex
- An inability to sit still for longer periods
- Multiple treatments or a longer procedure to complete
But that doesn’t mean this sedative is the best way to meet everyone’s unique needs. Before proceeding, you must consult our team so we can update your medical history, including listing any current prescriptions or supplements you take regularly, to avoid offering anything that might cause an adverse reaction.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
This sedative is inhaled through a gas mask that’s placed gently over your nose, so that you can continue breathing it in while we work. It’s not intended to ‘knock you out’, and most patients remain conscious and aware enough to respond to our questions or instructions while under the medication. However, it reduces your body’s ability to respond to external stimuli, helping you feel calmer and more relaxed throughout your procedure.
The effects of nitrous oxide usually kick in mere moments after it’s breathed in, and thankfully, it wears off just as quickly once the mask is removed, so you’re unlikely to need someone to help drive you home afterward. It does make it harder to recall the details of your treatment afterward, though many anxious patients consider this temporary amnesia to be another benefit of this service.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Our team might keep you for a few minutes after your procedure to ensure the medication's effects wear off as intended before sending you home. Then, most people are able to resume their usual routine or activities following their appointment.
But depending on your treatment, there may be additional aftercare instructions to follow. For example, if you were medicated for dental implant placement, you may want to stick to soft foods, get plenty of rest, and avoid strenuous physical activities. Our team will provide any aftercare instructions if required, based on your individual circumstances.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation in Wilton Manors is the answer to many dental patients’ prayers, because with this approach, you literally take a pill that helps dental nerves seem to disappear. Your dentist will prescribe you the medication and ask you to take it about an hour before your appointment. By the time you arrive at our office, you’ll be completely relaxed, mentally and physically, so your appointment will fly by in a flash. This is especially useful for patients in need of more extensive procedures.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is stronger than nitrous oxide, yet still does not cause patients to experience full sedation. As a prescribed pill medication, it works quickly to reduce nervousness, instead replacing feelings of anxiety with relaxation and complete comfort.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
When choosing to receive oral conscious sedation before a procedure, we will prescribe a pill for you to take about one hour before your scheduled visit. This gives it time to enter your system so that once you are in the treatment chair, you are calmer and more relaxed than before.
As soon as our team is satisfied with your comfort level, we will begin working on your smile. While in a deeper state of relaxation, you may feel as if you are falling asleep, but you will not be fully sedated. Instead, our team can easily awaken you if we need you to respond to one of our cues. Do not worry, as you will not be frightened or deterred by what is happening inside your mouth.
When we are finished, you will need someone to take you home, as the mediation can take time to fully wear off. Once at home, adequate rest is important.
Who is a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Want to know if you are a good candidate for oral conscious sedation? Our team will need to meet with you before your procedure to discuss your medical history and existing medications. This will help us determine if it is safe for you to receive this type of sedation.
In most cases, if you experience any of the following, you may be considered for oral conscious sedation:
- You have past dental trauma.
- You have a sensitive gag reflex.
- You are fearful of needles.
- You struggle with nitrous oxide.
- You need help to sit still.
- You require multiple dental procedures.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Dental sedation is one of the safest procedures in dentistry. The medications used for both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are mild, well-tested, and have been used safely in dental offices for decades. Plus, our team at Island City Dental carefully monitors every procedure from start to finish. No matter which type of sedation you choose, we’ll keep a close eye on you throughout your appointment.
As a precaution, we'll always review your health history and discuss your needs before treatment begins to make sure it’s the right choice for you. Whether you're a first-time sedation patient or someone who relies on it for every visit, you can trust that your safety is our first priority when you visit our sedation dentist in Wilton Manors.
What does it feel like to be sedated at the dentist?
The sensations you experience when under the effects of dental sedation can vary based on which type of sedation you choose. Nitrous oxide, for example, can create a light, airy, giggly sensation with a gentle tingling in your fingers and toes. You’ll be relaxed while staying completely aware of your surroundings, including any instructions our team gives you.
Oral conscious sedation offers a similar sense of relaxation, though a bit deeper. Your senses, including your perception of time, are often dulled. Some patients are surprised when their appointment seems to end quickly, while others only remember bits and pieces of their visit.
Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance?
In most cases, dental insurance companies see sedation as an elective procedure, so it’s generally not covered under their policies. However, in certain circumstances—especially with patients who have severe dental anxiety or need sedation for complex or lengthy treatment—exceptions can be made.
Before treatment, it’s always best to check with your provider directly to see if your benefits will cover the cost of sedation. If you’re not sure where to start, let us know. Our team will help you find the details, file claims on your behalf, and explore your options for dental financing and more.
Can dental sedation make you sick?
For most patients, dental sedation is very well-tolerated with little to no side effects. Nitrous oxide is especially gentle. Once the mask is removed at the end of your appointment, your system will be back to normal within minutes, so you’ll be able to drive yourself home without any issues.
Oral conscious sedation can occasionally cause mild nausea in sensitive patients, especially if taken on an empty stomach. To minimize any discomfort, always follow the pre-appointment instructions our team provides carefully. Most side effects, if any, are minor and temporary.
That said, if you have concerns about how your body might react, don't hesitate to ask questions during your consultation.