Dr. Scott Howe at Riverfront Dental LLC understands that some patients may have a certain level of anxiety about their dental visit. And in some procedures, patients may need to be sedated in order to make the visit more comfortable for them. There are several ways that we can make your visit with us easier. Let’s look at them:
Nitrous oxide, which is sometimes called “laughing gas” will not put you to sleep. What it will do is reduce your anxiety about being in the chair. Nitrous oxide is safe not just for adults but also for children. Since you will not be unconscious, you will still be able to talk to the dentist if you need to, and the effects of nitrous oxide wear off very quickly. Some other options include taking prescription medication orally. You will be conscious, but you won’t be nervous or anxious about the procedure.
In some cases, the dentist may use intravenous or IV sedation. In IV sedation, the dentist administers the sedative directly to your bloodstream. You will still be conscious but not as aware of the procedure. The effects of IV sedation take longer to wear off, and you will need some time to recover after you leave the office.
With general anesthesia, you are put to sleep for the entire procedure. Keep in mind that this procedure could require recovery time in the office.
When it comes to sedation, it’s important that you talk with Dr. Scott Howe about anesthesia before we start your procedure. As each person is different, not every procedure may be right for everyone. We’ll need to know about any allergies or conditions that you may have, as well as any recent illnesses. It’s also important that you tell us about any medications you may be taking. You may need medical clearance from your doctor before we move ahead with sedation procedure. We also want to make sure that you understand the effects of sedation, and that you know what you will need to do once you get home.
If you are coming in for a procedure at Riverfront Dental LLC in Salem, Oregon, give us a call at 503.370.7651. We want you to be relaxed and comfortable during your visit, and we also want to be certain that we choose the best sedation method for you.