La PlataDental
La Plata
At La Plata Dental, we know many patients experience dental phobia and anxiety while visiting a dentist’s office, and we do our utmost to ensure patients’ comfort every time they visit us. Even with a friendly, attentive dentistry team and a gentle, skilled dentist, we know that not every patient looks forward to visiting the dentist, and the anxiety or phobia they experience may be preventing them from getting the dental care they need. If you are one of these patients who needs a little extra help remaining stress and pain free during their appointments, we offer sedation dentistry services. Contact our team to find out more or schedule an appointment in our La Plata dentistry practice.
Sedation is a great option for patients with dental phobia and anxiety and those with sensitive teeth, gums, or gag reflexes. Patients whose cognitive abilities make it difficult to understand their situation may also want to consider the use of sedation dentistry to ensure safe treatment. Kids may need dental sedation during more advanced treatments to keep them safe and avoid creating negative associations with dental visits. Those patients who want to complete numerous or complex services in fewer appointments may also benefit from dental sedatives. We offer nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation options to keep any patient completely relaxed.
Oral conscious sedation can be an effective way for patients to enjoy stress-free and effective treatments at our office in La Plata. This dental sedation method can induce a sense of calmness and well-being that makes it easy to sit comfortably in the dentist’s chair. However, the treatment is not for everyone, so you’ll have to have a consultation with our dentist before you can receive it. Here’s a quick look at how this incredible treatment works, but please contact the team if you’d like to learn more.
Oral conscious sedation involves no needles or face masks, and it is typically recommended for adults who deal with issues like anxiety, nervousness, fear, strong gag reflexes, or anything else that makes it difficult for them to feel comfortable in the treatment chair. Our dentist will prescribe a small pill, usually Valium, Halcion, or Ativan, and instruct you to take it briefly before your appointment. The effects of the sedative usually begin after about fifteen minutes and will last for several hours after the treatment is over.
Oral conscious sedation is administered via a prescribed sedative pill that patients take about an hour before their appointment time. This will ensure that they are already relaxed once their procedure begins, and the effects will last throughout their entire treatment. While you are sedated, you will be able to respond to questions and instructions, and our team will carefully monitor your vital signs to make sure you are safe. Due to the lingering effects of oral conscious sedation, patients need to arrange to have a friend or family member drive them to and from our office. Every patient responds differently to sedatives, but most people are fully recovered from the effects of the treatment after twelve to twenty-four hours. Once you feel back to normal, you may not even remember your dental appointment, but this may be beneficial for patients who are anxious about dental care.
This makes oral conscious sedation a great solution for patients who experience issues like:
If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard of dental nitrous oxide in La Plata before, there’s a good chance you’ve just heard it referred to by its nickname: laughing gas. The name is a bit misleading because it doesn’t typically cause patients to get the giggles, but it does have a euphoric effect. If you have any questions about this type of dental sedation, you’re more than welcome to give us a call. You can also read on to learn more about it!
Because nitrous oxide sedation is so fast-acting, it’s a great option for patients who:
It’s also a great option for kids who need a little help staying relaxed during their treatment, but want to go right back to having fun after their appointment.
This mild form of sedation is administered when you arrive at our office. Once you settle comfortably into the treatment chair, we will position the nasal mask in place and ask you to breathe through your nose. Within a few minutes, the effects will set in, causing you to feel relaxed, calm, and anxiety-free. Throughout your visit, we can adjust the dosage to ensure you remain completely comfortable.
Once we’ve provided the preventive, cosmetic, or emergency dentistry you need or want, we will stop the flow of nitrous oxide and remove the nasal mask. It won’t take long for the effects to dissipate (they are usually completely gone within 10 minutes). As a result, you don’t need to arrange for someone to take you to and from your visit; you can drive yourself home! Just make sure that you follow any aftercare instructions we give you pertaining to the care you received, like rinsing with warm saltwater periodically, sticking to only extremely soft foods, or taking OTC pain medication as directed.
Yes, sedation dentistry is extremely safe for most patients. With only a couple of exceptions, nitrous oxide is tolerated well with no side effects. It’s gentle enough to use on children and the elderly! Before we prescribe an oral sedative for you, we will ask about your current medications and conditions to make sure you remain perfectly healthy and safe during the procedure. The specific drugs we use are anti-anxiety medications with a long history of effectiveness and are generally non-addictive. After all, your safety and satisfaction are the most important things to your sedation dentist in La Plata!
Typically, those who get sedation dentistry do not fall asleep during their visit. In other words, the medication will not force you to sleep. However, if you have multiple, long, or complex procedures, you may take a nap on your own, simply because you are relaxed enough. We usually prefer you to remain awake to respond to directions or questions if we need you to, but regardless of the type of sedative you get, you shouldn’t be bothered by what’s going on around you. In fact, with oral conscious sedation, you may not remember details of the appointment because of the content state you’re in.
If you get nitrous oxide, you probably can drive away on your own. Oral conscious sedation requires another driver to take you home. This powerful sedative slows your reaction time and lasts for a few hours after your appointment, so you need to wait until the oral medication wears off to resume normal activities. When you arrange to receive dental sedation with us, we will give you preparatory instructions, such as arranging for a family member or friend to take you to and from our office.
For those who need it, sedation dentistry is completely worth the extra cost. If you have officially been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, your insurance may help cover the cost of sedation. Ask our front desk team members to assist by looking at available benefits. However, even if you pay the whole cost alone, having a positive experience with the dentist can encourage better at-home care and regular visits moving forward, increasing your chances of maintaining a healthier smile and potentially reducing the need for more extensive dental work in the future.
