Sedation Dentistry – Huntsville, OH
Alleviating Your Dental Anxiety
Studies suggest that about 60% of Americans experience dental anxiety to some degree, and up to 20% of Americans have completely avoided the dentist out of fear. If you feel afraid of getting dental work done – whether that be a routine cleaning or a major procedure – know that our Northwest Family Dental of Huntsville team is ready to make your visits as comfortable as possible. To that end, we offer sedation dentistry in our Huntsville, OH dental office as a means of alleviating your dental anxiety. Learn more by calling our dental office and asking about your options!
Why Choose Northwest Family Dental of Huntsville for Sedation Dentistry?
- Gentle Dentist Who Treats Patients Like Family
- Clean, Welcoming Dental Office
- Patient Comfort Is Our Top Priority
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
You may have heard nitrous oxide be referred to as “laughing gas.” That’s because, once you breathe in this clear, odorless gas through a nasal mask, you’ll feel light, warm, and euphoric – to the point where you might even get the giggles! Another incredible advantage of this form of sedation is that you’ll be able to undergo dental treatments while remaining completely relaxed, which can be an essential tool for those who typically struggle with dental anxiety. Click the button below to learn more about nitrous oxide.
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Patients who usually feel nervous, anxious, or even fearful of visiting the dentist are typically eligible for sedation dentistry. Nitrous oxide, of course, is the mildest form of sedation, so it’s a better solution for people struggling with a milder degree of anxiety. Even so, nervousness isn’t the only factor that we will consider when determining if this sedation method is right for you.
Our team at Northwest Family Dental of Huntsville might also recommend nitrous oxide to those who:
- Have trouble remaining still while sitting in the treatment chair
- Are generally uncomfortable around needles
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Have difficulty getting numb with local anesthesia
Nitrous oxide is typically safe for the majority of people. However, certain groups may not be eligible for this form of sedation, such as pregnant women and those with sinus congestion or particular respiratory conditions that can interfere with inhaling the laughing gas. If you fit into one of these groups, our team will do everything we can to ensure that you can still undergo your dental treatment as comfortably as possible.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Nitrous oxide is usually administered via a nasal mask, which is placed over your nose so you can easily breathe in the gas. A trained professional will control the machine that will release a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen into the mask. Once you’ve started inhaling the gas, you should begin to feel more relaxed and even euphoric. Some patients even start to feel sleepy.
A team member will monitor your vitals and level of sedation throughout your appointment to ensure you’re completely safe while undergoing treatment. Once your dentist has finished, we’ll remove the mask, and the effects should start to wear off after a few minutes.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Since nitrous oxide’s effects usually go away after a short while, you’ll be able to drive yourself to and from your dental appointment like normal. That said, we’ll still ask that you remain in the office for several minutes so we can ensure you’re in good condition. Once we’ve confirmed that you’re stable, you’ll be free to resume your daily activities. We will likely recommend that you take it easy on certain tasks depending on the dental procedure you’ve undergone. If you notice any complications arise, be sure to notify our team right away for help.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Dr. Kevin Grill is a sedation dentist in Huntsville who cares deeply about the experiences of his patients. Understanding that visits to the dentist’s office can be difficult for many, he works hard to create positive and relaxing environments for individuals who struggle with anxiety. Naturally, when inquiring about nitrous oxide sedation, there are many questions, so he and our team have compiled some frequently asked questions that can serve to alleviate worries and ensure greater confidence when arriving for an appointment.
Is sedation dentistry safe while pregnant?
It is believed that pregnant women should not receive sedation because of the chances that the fetus might be affected. However, nitrous oxide is deemed much safer as opposed to oral conscious or IV sedation. Dr. Grill may only use a small amount; however, this is largely up to you and whether you feel comfortable moving forward with treatment. In most cases, it is recommended that pregnant women wait until after the baby is born to receive any kind of invasive dental treatment.
Is sedation dentistry worth it?
Most dental insurance companies do not offer coverage for sedation dentistry, so you may wonder if it is worth the time and money. You should first remember that if it enables you to get the oral healthcare that you need, it’s definitely worth the cost. You should also keep in mind that undergoing necessary dentistry now can help you keep from needing more invasive and costly treatments later on.
Dental anxiety of any kind can be easily dealt with using nitrous oxide, so you can ask Dr. Grill about ways to save on sedation so that you can get the care you need.
Does dental sedation put you to sleep?
Unless you are receiving general anesthesia, which is not offered at our dental practice, you will not be fully sedated. With nitrous oxide, you will only feel warm, tingly, and relaxed. You may feel as if you’re falling asleep, but you can be easily aroused by the dentist and dental team when needing you to respond to dental cues.
Can dental sedation make you sick?
You might rarely experience any nausea when receiving nitrous oxide sedation. However, this risk slightly increases the longer you are inhaling the gas. If you are prone to nausea, you’ll want to make sure that we are aware of this issue so that we can plan accordingly based on your unique needs. This might mean avoiding sedation altogether or using a smaller amount to keep you from experiencing negative side effects once it’s all over.