Sedation Dentistry – Lansing, MI
Have a Relaxing Time
at the Dentist’s Office
Many children and adults alike have a fear of the dentist, and sometimes that can lead them to avoid dental care even when it’s badly needed. Our staff at Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Lansing will do everything they can to make you feel at home during your appointment, but for those that need a little extra help staying calm during treatment, we offer a number of sedation options. Be sure to ask about our options for sedation dentistry in Lansing, MI when you call our dental office to schedule your next visit.
Why Choose Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Lansing for Sedation Dentistry?
- Three Different Sedation Options
- Friendly, Caring Dental Specialists
- Dental Office in a Convenient Location
Oral Conscious Sedation
At our office in Lansing, we offer oral conscious sedation treatments in the form of a pill. All you’ll have to do is take it about an hour before your appointment, and you should start to feel calm and relaxed by the time you arrive. This treatment allows you to achieve a deeper state of relaxation than with nitrous oxide, and you’ll remain conscious and able to respond to questions and instructions. However, you may have difficulty remembering your appointment afterward. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about this treatment.
What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation involves no needles or face masks and is often recommended for adults who have fear, anxiety, nervousness, a strong gag reflex, or anything else that makes dental treatment uncomfortable. You’ll receive a small pill such as Valium, Ativan, or Halcion to be taken before your appointment. Depending on the drug prescribed, the effects will last through your entire appointment and can begin to take effect about fifteen minutes after ingestion.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
Since the effects of oral conscious sedation will last through your entire appointment, you’ll need to have a trusted individual there to transport you to and from our office. As soon as the drug takes effect, you will begin to feel deeply relaxed and calm, and you will be unlikely to be able to remember the appointment afterward, which is preferable for some people. While you’ll feel calm and relaxed, you will also be able to answer questions and respond to instructions. While you are sedated, the dental team will continuously monitor you to ensure your safety.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Many people have difficulty with sitting through their dental appointments for one reason or another, and sedation treatments can make it much easier for them to receive needed dental attention. Oral conscious sedation can be great for a patient who:
- Is nervous, anxious, or fearful about seeing the dentist
- Regularly cancels or reschedules necessary dental appointments due to anxiety about receiving bad news
- Has a sensitive gag reflex
- Will be undergoing a lengthy treatment or multiple treatments in one appointment
- Has trouble holding their mouth open for long periods or sitting still in the treatment chair
- Can’t achieve the desired results with local anesthesia
- Has had unpleasant experiences at dentist’s offices in the past
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is a particularly well-known type of sedation that is delivered through a special nasal mask. It can be used to help relieve pain and keep patients calm during a given procedure. We’ll carefully monitor you throughout the visit to make sure that you are receiving the right amount of gas at all times. The effects of the gas go away quickly after the mask has been removed, meaning you can move on with the rest of your day as normal.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Sedation dentistry is a safe option for most patients. Nitrous oxide has been used in dentistry for almost two hundred years because it involves no long-term side effects and is eliminated from the body within minutes after the treatment is over. Our dentist will evaluate your candidacy for sedation dentistry during your consultation to make sure that you can receive it safely. When you are receiving sedation treatment, our team will monitor your vitals to ensure that you remain safe while experiencing its effects.
Will I Remember Anything After Dental Sedation?
While you’ll be awake during nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation treatment, you may have difficulty remembering the experience. In either case, you will be able to respond to instructions and questions, but your pain threshold will be raised and you will feel a lightheaded sense of calm. While this will fade quickly after you stop receiving nitrous oxide, it can take several hours for the effects of oral conscious sedation to wear off and you will need a family member or other trusted individual to give you a ride to and from our office.
What Does Dental Sedation Feel Like?
The feeling of dental sedation depends on the treatment received and the patient’s tolerance to the drug administered. Nitrous oxide creates a relaxed, light, and carefree feeling and may involve a slight tingling sensation in the arms and legs. Some patients may giggle while receiving treatment, giving the treatment the nickname of “laughing gas.”
Oral conscious sedation creates a deeper sense of relaxation, and you may find it difficult to speak or stay awake. It’s not unheard of for oral conscious sedation patients to doze off during treatment. You may also experience a sense of heaviness or time passing more quickly.
What Are the Risks of Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is not right for everyone, and while it is perfectly safe for most patients, it can present risks for some people. Different people react differently to medications, so our dentist will ensure that dental sedation is a good fit for you before beginning treatment. People who take certain medications or have sleep apnea may be more prone to developing complications from dental sedation treatments. However, these treatments are generally safe, and side effects are usually quite minor. You may experience nausea, dizziness, headache, or grogginess, and while it will only last for a few minutes after nitrous oxide treatment, it may last for several hours with oral conscious sedation.