Sedation Dentistry Colorado Springs, CO | Rocky Mountain Periodontal Specialists

Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

Patients who struggle with the following are often candidates for nitrous oxide:

• Dental-related anxiety
• A fear of needles
• Dental sensitivity
• Head, neck, and jaw pain during treatment
• Nerves stemming from the sights and sounds of a dental office

Of course, we’ll need to meet with you in order to determine if you’re a good candidate as well. After all, there are some patients who we’ll need to find an alternative for, including expecting mothers and patients who have a condition that makes it difficult to breathe through their nose.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?

Fortunately, the process of administering nitrous oxide is quite simple. Once you’re seated in the treatment chair comfortably, a breathing mask is positioned in place. Then, we will switch on the nitrous oxide and ask you to breathe the odorless, colorless gas through your nose. After a few minutes of breathing in the nitrous oxide, you'll feel content and at ease – not an ounce of anxiety or stress. You’ll still be able to talk with our team and respond to the verbal cues we give you since you won’t be asleep either. In fact, we can even adjust the flow of nitrous oxide throughout your procedure as needed!

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide

As we touched on in the first section, the effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly. That means that patients can return to their regular routines and even drive themselves without extensive downtime! Of course, you’re more than welcome to give us a call if you have any questions following your appointment, and we will give you detailed aftercare instructions to ensure you heal properly.

What is Oral Conscious Sedation?

This method involves taking a small pill before your appointment. Unlike nitrous oxide, which might leave you feeling light and tingly, or IV sedation, which can put you completely to sleep, this option strikes a perfect balance. About an hour before your visit, taking the pill will gradually induce relaxation and you’ll notice these effects just as you’re settling into the dental chair.

Before starting your treatment, we’ll ensure you’re completely relaxed and comfortable. While oral conscious sedation doesn't induce sleep, it's common for patients to become so calm that they may drift off. But don’t worry – a gentle tap on the shoulder can easily rouse you.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

Once the effects kick in, you'll experience deep relaxation. For some patients, the dental treatment may become a blur in memory. Nevertheless, you'll stay conscious throughout and be able to respond to our team's questions and instructions. We'll closely monitor you throughout the entire procedure to ensure your comfort and safety. Unlike nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas), the effects of oral conscious sedation are long-lasting, meaning you’ll need to have a trusted friend or family member drive you to and from your appointment.

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

Oral conscious sedation is an incredibly popular option with some wonderful advantages. You may benefit from this approach if you:

• Experience dental fear, anxiety, or nervousness
• Frequently cancel appointments out of fear of receiving bad news
• Have a sensitive gag reflex
• Are undergoing multiple treatments
• Require lengthy dental procedures
• Find it challenging to remain still in the treatment chair
• Experience difficulty achieving numbness with anesthesia
• Have encountered negative dental experiences previously

What Is IV Sedation?

IV sedation is a powerful, but safe form of sedation that’s administered intravenously. After settling into the treatment chair, we will carefully place a small needle into the vein on the top of your hand or at the bend on your elbow. Shortly after, you’ll enter a deep state of relaxation. In fact, many patients have no recollection of their time in the treatment chair, even though they are conscious and can respond to verbal commands and questions.

Note: if you’re scared of needles, then we can apply a small amount of topical anesthetic beforehand to make the experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?

IV sedation is popular among patients who struggle with severe dental-related anxiety, have neuromuscular issues that make it difficult to keep their mouth open for extended periods of time, have TMJ dysfunctions, or have sensitive gag reflexes. To determine if you’re a good candidate, we will review your medical history, take note of any allergies you have, discuss your anxiety levels, and review any medications you’re taking. With all of this information, we will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for IV sedation.

The Benefits of IV Sedation

There are several benefits of IV sedation! To begin, the sedative will be injected into your bloodstream, and we can adjust the levels as needed throughout your appointment. Although you’ll be extremely relaxed, you will not be unconscious; in fact, you’ll be perfectly capable of answering questions and following simple instructions. We will also keep a close eye on your vital signs all throughout your treatment in the interest of your safety and comfort. Of course, one of the most noteworthy benefits is that IV sedation can help patients who struggle with even the most severe anxiety get the dental care they need without the stress.