Dental anxiety and a fear of the dentist affect many patients and are a leading cause of poor oral health. Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry offer dental sedation for patients who suffer from dental anxiety and need help relaxing during their visit with us. Dr. Furgurson or Dr. White will meet with you to discuss your personal fears, concerns, and any previous bad experiences you may have had in the dentist chair.
For some patients, simply having a discussion about what to expect helps a lot. Explaining the procedure and talking about their fears is sometimes all they need to help them feel relaxed and confident during their visit. However, if the dentist feel dental sedation is the best option, we will review their medical history to see if they qualify. We will first find out which, if any, sedation option will be both safe and effective.
Dental Sedation in Chapel Hill, NC
We use both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation. Both of these sedation options allow you to be awake and responsive during your treatment. However, you are will feel relaxed and stress-free. You will most likely have little to no memory of the treatment. You will get all these benefits and still be able to receive the dental care you need to maintain, restore or enhance your smile. When you opt for dental sedation, there are also many added benefits:
- Enhance the effectiveness of anesthetic
- Decrease gag reflex
- Eliminate joint and muscle soreness
- Enable more treatment to be provided in fewer visits
- The dentist can complete the treatment faster
- You won’t suffer from painful memories
Sedation dentistry can play a very important role in helping anxious and fearful people enjoy a healthy and pretty smile. We offer two options:
Oral conscious sedation
Oral sedation dentistry works when you take a pill (you will need a prescription for it) at home before your appointment. You will need to arrange for a ride to and from your appointment from our Chapel Hill dentist office. This form of sedation will keep you in a very deep state of relaxation. You will be able to breathe on your own and maintain movement yet will feel very drowsy.
Nitrous oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide is an odorless gas that we will give you through a tiny cannula that sits right beneath the nose. Also known as laughing gas, it has the added benefit of taking effect right away and wearing off fast. You can drive yourself to and from your dental appointment if using nitrous oxide for sedation. Expect a brief waiting period afterwards simply to become fully awake and alert. Dentists have used this form of sedation for many years in dentistry and it is very safe.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
What should you not do before dental sedation?
It is very important not to eat or drink anything but water for at least 8 hours prior to your dentist appointment. You must have an empty stomach for the sedation to work properly. We also suggest that you wear loose fitting clothing that you are comfortable in for the whole appointment.
How long does dental sedation take to wear off?
We suggest patients wait a full 24 hours to let effects from sedation fully wear off. However, most patients start to begin to feel normal after 6-8 hours. Rest is very important after sedation.
What can I expect during oral sedation?
While sedated, patients should expect to remember and feel nothing. The goal is to make dental procedures as comfortable and pain free as possible. It allows for dentists to work on your mouth without any pain or discomfort.
Will I feel anything with dental sedation?
Patients should not feel or remember anything after the treatment. Dentists use a combination of sedation and anesthetic to make dental procedures pain free and relaxing.
Can you drive after oral sedation?
You should not drive home after dental sedation. We suggest having a family member, friend, or neighbor drive you to and from your appointment. Sedation effects can last long after the procedure so it is not safe to drive directly after your appointment.
Call Our Chapel Hill Dentist Office to Learn About Sedation Dentistry
If you want to have dental work done without the painful memories, soreness from tensing up, and anxiety, then call Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry today to learn more about our sedation options. You can reach our Chapel Hill dentist office at 919.736.6175 or you can schedule an appointment online.