There are a lot of complex procedures offered at our Edgewood dentist office, and sometimes we think it’s best to offer sedation for them. A lot of our patients hear that and say no way – they aren’t nervous! Sedation isn’t just for the faint of heart, however, and can be a great option for a variety of patients!

Today we want to talk to you about the sedation we offer and how it can benefit patients in a variety of different situations. You might even find out you’ve been missing the final piece of the dental care puzzle with just a simple sedation option at Edgewood Dental Care!

Are You A Busy Person?
That’s a bit of a ridiculous question, isn’t it? We’re all super busy nowadays! One of the drawbacks of more involved dental procedures is that they can take multiple sessions to complete. That isn’t because we need the time – we can complete most dental work in a single session if we have the opportunity. The reason we break up longer appointments is because most people can only handle so much dentistry in one sitting!

With sedation that worry goes away completely. We can sit you down in the dental chair and have you asleep through your whole procedure. You’ll wake up at the end and it’ll be completely over, leaving you free to get on with your life without the need to schedule a second appointment.

With sedation you can avoid having to take multiple days off, paying for multiple tanks of gas, and trying to figure out what to do with your kids on two separate occasions: it’s a definite win!

How Bad Is Your Gag Reflex?
If you have trouble handling someone’s fingers in your mouth for a long period of time dental care can definitely be an uncomfortable experience. Patients with high gag reflexes sometimes can barely handle a standard exam without gagging and needing to take a break.

If that sounds familiar then you’re in luck: even the most minor forms of sedation can be a huge relief from your gag reflex! Sedation relaxes your muscles, leaving you relaxed and comfortable without having to worry about hacking all over the hygienist. We might be used to that kind of behavior, but it’s a pretty embarrassing situation that’s easily avoided!

Dental Care: It Can Be Pretty Dull
Let’s be frank: sitting in the chair for an hour or more being unable to speak isn’t a pleasant experience. It’s awkward, makes you feel a bit socially anxious, and in some cases it’s hard to even figure out where to look!

The most awkward conversation in the hair salon can be wonderful in comparison to staring into space in the dental chair. That’s where sedation comes in: you don’t have to! We can put you at ease and have you avoiding the dullness and awkward situation that can arise from sitting in the chair with nowhere to stare.

Fear of the dental care isn’t the only kind of anxiety we can treat: sedation can take care of social anxiety as well!

Sedation Methods We Offer
There are several different kinds of sedation that are suited to different needs and different kinds of procedures. We’re glad we can offer them to you at our Edgewood office!

  • Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is a great option for patients who need to take the edge off or are just undergoing a simple, quick procedure. Nitrous oxide is delivered through a nose piece, and will make you feel sleepy, relaxed, and carefree during your time in the chair. It also wears off nearly instantly – you won’t feel groggy at all afterward!
  • Oral sedation, which we prescribe in pill form, is taken before you come to the office for your appointment. It puts you in a very relaxed state that also acts as an amnesic. You’ll be awake during your procedure, but you won’t remember anything at all.
  • IV sedation is the highest level we offer. It’s just like “twilight” sedation you’d get at a hospital for an outpatient procedure. You’ll technically be awake and able to respond to us, but you won’t remember a thing. You’ll just close your eyes and wake up when it’s over!

Questions About Sedation?
We’re glad to answer any questions you have about dental sedation, whether it’s in regards to application, safety, effects, or anything else. If you want to know anything about the dental sedation we offer call Edgewood Dental Care today at 859-474-7830!