55
Town Line Rd #100, 
(860) 400-3007Sedation Dentistry – Wethersfield, CT
Find Relief from Dental Fears
To be honest, dental anxiety is pretty normal. As many as 36% of Americans are afraid of dental treatments. That said, you shouldn’t let this fear control your life. Failing to face it will cause issues for your teeth and gums. So, you may want to try a handy solution: sedation dentistry. As offered by Wethersfield Dental Group, this option will make your dental visit much calmer. Just keep reading to learn more about it, or book a visit for details!
How Dental Anxiety Harms Oral Health
If left unchecked, dental anxiety can tempt you to skip dental care. Your general oral health would then suffer as a result.
Remember, visits to the dentist protect your smile. They prevent and treat any problems in your mouth. If you give in to dental fears, you might skip these vital appointments. Plaque and bacteria will then build up and cause tooth decay, gum disease, or worse.
Luckily, sedation dentistry treats dental anxiety. It uses sedatives to relax you for various procedures. For that reason, you needn’t skip visits out of fear. You can go into treatment knowing that it’ll go smoothly. From there, your oral health will be preserved or even improved.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Overall, nitrous oxide sedation is the most common form of sedation dentistry. If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard of it, you might know it by another name: laughing gas. This calming sedative is safe for a wide variety of patients, and the effects set in and dissipate quickly, making it incredibly convenient as well. If you’d like to learn more, you can contact our Wethersfield dental team or read on!
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is most-known for its anxiety-relieving effects. However, it has many other uses as well! In addition to helping patients who experience stress and nerves in the treatment chair, this calming solution aids those with a physical, developmental, or behavioral disability that makes sitting still for treatment near impossible. It’s also useful for more extensive treatments, like multiple tooth extractions. If you’re interested in finding out if you’re a candidate for nitrous oxide, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment with us so we can learn more about your concerns, medical history, and dental needs.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
You may have heard that using nitrous oxide is as easy as breathing. It’s true! In order to administer this colorless, odorless gas, we will place a small mask over your nose and instruct you to breathe as you usually would. Before long, you’ll begin to feel calm and mild euphoria. Since you won’t be put under, you’ll still be fairly alert and able to respond to your dentist’s instructions. We’ll also be able to adjust the nitrous oxide as needed throughout your appointment.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
One considerable perk of nitrous oxide is that the effects are short-lived. In other words, it quickly exits your system once you stop breathing it. As such, you can continue your day after treatment. You’ll be well enough to drive home or return to work!
Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Generally, almost anyone can qualify for sedation dentistry. It only requires that you have relatively decent health. Even so, some patients do benefit from it more than others. Ideal sedation candidates usually have one (or more) of the following:
- Mild, moderate, or severe dental anxiety
- A sensitive gag reflex
- Difficulty sitting in a chair for long periods
- Several procedures to complete in a single appointment
- A phobia concerning needles
- Traumatic dental experiences from the past
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
What does it feel like to be sedated at the dentist?
The answer depends on the type of dental sedation that you’re receiving. Nitrous oxide, for example, is often described by patients as light, relaxed, and euphoric. Oral conscious sedation is even more powerful, resulting in an even deeper state of calm. With both options, one thing is for certain: anxiety, nerves, and stress will be lifted, allowing you to relax comfortably in the treatment chair.
Can dental sedation make you sick?
The more powerful forms of dental sedation can result in feeling a bit nauseous. However, that’s quite rare with nitrous oxide since it’s so mild. Plus, we are able to adjust the flow throughout your time in the treatment chair, ensuring you feel calm and comfortable from start to finish.
Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance?
Most dental insurance providers classify sedation dentistry as a “luxury.” That said, there are a few exceptions. For instance, if you need extensive dental care, like multiple tooth extractions, then you may not need to pay for the cost entirely out of pocket. So, don’t hesitate to take a look at the fine print on your plan and reach out to us if you need any assistance utilizing your available benefits!
Important reminder: Dental insurance isn’t the only way you can make the cost of nitrous oxide more affordable. At Wethersfield Dental Group, we also welcome payment plans with Cherry and CareCredit. As a result, you can break up the total price into smaller, more manageable chunks if that works better for your budget.
How long does dental sedation last?
One of the many benefits of nitrous oxide sedation is that the effects dissipate nearly as quickly as they came on. In other words, you won’t have to deal with lingering grogginess, take the rest of the day off work, or arrange for an adult that you know and trust to drive you home from your appointment.
Does dental sedation make you tell secrets?
One common misconception about dental sedation is that it acts as a truth serum. That’s not the case. Plus, if you do happen to share something that you usually wouldn’t while under the effects, you don’t have to worry – it won’t leave the walls of the treatment room.
Will I remember anything with dental sedation?
Although you’ll remain awake while under the effects of nitrous oxide, there’s a chance that you won’t be able to remember much of the procedure. The memory loss effect is actually one of the reasons that dental sedation is so popular, especially among patients who struggle with dental-related anxiety, since it gradually creates a more positive association with the dentist’s office.