Sedation Dentistry – Carrollton, TX

What is Nitrous Oxide?

Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a mild form of sedation that involves inhaling a safe mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. Because the solution takes effect within minutes, you will feel more relaxed and at ease throughout your appointment. Not only will nitrous oxide allow you to overcome your fears and regain control of your oral health, but it will allow your sedation dentist in Carrollton to do their job more effectively.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

Most patients who express concern about an upcoming dental appointment can benefit greatly from nitrous oxide. When talking to Dr. Devarakonda about your worries, she will likely recommend this type of sedation if you:

• Have a past, traumatic dental experience
• Have a sensitive gag reflex
• Experience difficulty sitting still for long periods of time
• Express mild or moderate dental anxiety

It is important to explain your medical history and current health status with our team, as there are instances when a patient should not receive nitrous oxide, such as:

• Being pregnant
• Have high blood pressure
• Taking certain medications

How Does It Work?

When preparing to receive nitrous oxide, you should feel confident that Dr. Devarakonda has experience in administering this type of sedation. Before starting your dental work, our team will place a nasal mask over your nose, which will allow you to inhale the nitrous oxide and oxygen mixture. We will have complete control over how much is administered and can easily adjust the dosage throughout your visit, if necessary.

Within minutes of inhaling the nitrous oxide, you will become light-headed and feel as if you are floating. Although you may feel as if you are preparing to fall asleep, you will remain in a dream-like state but be cognizant of any cues your dentist or dental team provides.

This added feeling of comfort and relaxation will help you remain calm and pain-free while Dr. Devarakonda completes her work.

What to Expect Afterward

Once she has finished, we will turn off the nitrous oxide, which will cause the effects to dissipate within minutes. The best part about nitrous oxide is its ability to allow patients to resume normal activity immediately following their appointment. Since you will not need anyone to escort you to and from your appointment, you will be free to leave once we determine the effects have worn off and you do not need any special accommodations.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

Oral conscious sedation is considered a moderate-strength sedative for those who suffer from moderate to severe levels of anxiety. The sedative comes in the form of a pill, which is generally taken a few hours ahead of your appointment. This ensures the sedative has time to take effect before you begin your treatment.

Not only does oral conscious sedation make you feel incredibly relaxed (and euphoric in some instances), but it can also make it difficult to remember large portions of your appointment. This is ideal for those who struggle to complete treatment due to the stimuli associated with dental offices. We’ll make sure that your dosage is designed with your body weight in mind so that the proper effects take place.

Am I a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

In order to confirm if oral conscious sedation is right for you, it’s important that you speak with our office ahead of your appointment first. In most cases, we may recommend sedation services if you:

• Suffer from anxiety or dental phobia
• Have a strong gag reflex
• Have a low tolerance to dental work in general
• Are in need of multiple treatments
• Are bothered by stimuli common in dental offices (i.e. sights, sounds, smells, etc.)

Additionally, if you have a family member with cognitive disabilities that makes it very difficult for them to receive dental care, sedation can make the process significantly easier. Our team members will be by your side every step of the way to ensure you’re feeling comfortable and at peace during your visit. After all, your feelings are just as important as your oral health and the treatment you need to have completed.

What Should I Expect After Treatment?

Keep in mind that due to the strength of oral conscious sedation, you’ll need to have a friend or family member drive you to and from the practice. Furthermore, you should not resume normal activities until the sedation has had time to wear off. If needed, you should take time off work for the rest of the day and avoid operating vehicles or other heavy machinery. In most cases, sedation can take several hours to fully dissipate, so it’s important to have someone who can keep an eye on you for the rest of the day.

What Is IV Sedation?

IV dental sedation is specifically administered directly into the bloodstream via a small needle inserted into your arm or the back of your hand. This method allows for the sedative to work through your body in a matter of moments, as you’ll quickly feel as though you’re drifting off to sleep. While you’ll technically remain conscious with IV sedation, you likely won’t even remember what occurred during your appointment. In fact, some patients often feel like they fell asleep throughout their procedure! This can be a much safer alternative to general anesthesia, as you’ll still be able to respond to simple instructions, albeit without registering any of the sights, sounds, or sensations that might cause discomfort.

During your appointment, our team will closely monitor your vitals while you’re sedated. We’ll be able to adjust your levels if needed to ensure you remain safe and comfortable throughout the procedure. In most cases, patients undergoing IV sedation will stay still for lengthy periods, allowing us to perform multiple or extensive treatments. Since you’ll feel groggy after your appointment, you’ll need to have someone take you to and from the dentist’s office. You’ll likely spend the rest of your day relaxing, as the sedative will wear off after several hours.

Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?

Although IV sedation is powerful and can keep you completely relaxed during your dental procedure, it isn’t a good option for everyone. Those who are very young or elderly patients will most likely benefit more from nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation. Patients who are breastfeeding, have certain illnesses, or are taking specific medications may not be eligible for this method of sedation. In most cases, IV sedation is ideal for those who suffer from severe dental phobia or require lengthier, complex procedures, such as dental implants. It’s also best for patients who don’t respond well to numbing agents or have difficulty staying still for long periods in the examination chair.

The Benefits of IV Sedation

IV sedation offers a variety of advantages, including:

• Remaining comfortable while receiving necessary dental care
• Completely personalized dosage that can be adjusted at any time for optimal safety
• Undergoing several or extensive procedures in one appointment
• No memory of anything that happened during your appointment

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

When nitrous oxide sedation, oral conscious sedation, or IV sedation is administered by a highly trained and experienced professional like Dr. Devarakonda, sedation dentistry is extremely safe. No matter what type of sedation you receive, our experienced staff will monitor you throughout your treatment to ensure you are as comfortable and safe as possible.

Will I Feel Any Pain with Dental Sedation?

While sedation dentistry is not used specifically as a pain reliever, it does help alleviate practically all forms of discomfort during a dental treatment, both physically and emotionally. Sedation can help you avoid the soreness of sitting in the dental chair if you have back problems or TMJ dysfunction, the unpleasant sensations of dental work being performed, and the mental distress of facing your fears. You shouldn’t feel any pain or sensitivity with dental sedation. Additionally, we will likely numb your mouth with a powerful and reliable anesthetic as well.

Who Shouldn’t Get Sedation Dentistry?

Practically anyone who is nervous or uncomfortable at the dentist’s office for any reason can be a good candidate for sedation dentistry. However, there are situations where we may not recommend it for you, such as if you:

• Are pregnant
• Have obstructive sleep apnea
• Are currently experiencing nasal congestion
• Have breathing problems or respiratory illness
• Are at-risk due to certain other medical conditions

We will always thoroughly review your medical history and current health beforehand to ensure that sedation dentistry is a safe and effective choice for you.

Which Type of Sedation Is Right for Me?

We offer three levels of sedation dentistry so each patient can get exactly what they need. Every option comes with its own advantages and drawbacks, and not every patient is a good choice for every type of sedation. Nitrous oxide sedation is the lightest form of sedation, while oral conscious sedation is moderate, and IV sedation being the most powerful. During your consultation, we’ll determine which options you are a candidate for and fully explain all your choices so you can make a well-informed decision.

Will Sedation Dentistry Put Me to Sleep?

One of the reasons why sedation dentistry is so safe is that it does not put you to sleep. You’ll be conscious enough to answer our team’s questions and respond to simple instructions. However, it often feels like dental sedation puts you to sleep. You’ll feel relaxed, content, and at ease— sometimes you may even doze off during your treatment— and you will continue to feel groggy with oral conscious and IV sedation for the rest of the day. Plus, you are unlikely to remember any of your treatment. Nonetheless, sedation dentistry does not put you to sleep.