What is Relaxation Dentistry?
Relaxation dentistry, otherwise known as sedation dentistry, is a treatment that helps patients feel more relaxed while they visit the dentist. Whether you suffer from dental anxiety or struggle to sit still during long procedures, there’s a relaxation dentistry option available for you. Explore our relaxation dentistry options available at our dental office below.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is sedation dentistry in the form of a pill. Prior to your dental appointment, we will provide you with a prescription medication such as Ativan or Halcion to place under your tongue (they work faster and better this way). We will either instruct you to take the medication before coming to our dental office or taking it upon arrival. We may also prescribe you an additional dosage to take the night before your procedure to help with anxiety and allow you to get a good night of rest. It is important to arrange for a ride to and from your procedure because you can’t drive while taking the medication. During your procedure, you might feel so relaxed that you fall asleep!
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a type of sedation dentistry that we provide to you after you arrive to our office. Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is an easy way to administer sedation on the spot and adjust the effects as we go. For nitrous oxide, we will have you wear a mask over your nose to inhale a combination of oxygen and nitrous oxide. The effects help you feel relaxed and wear off just minutes after removing the mask. Patients can drive themselves when using this type of sedation.
IV Sedation
Intravenous sedation is a deeper form of anesthesia that is precisely controlled by repeatedly giving small doses of short acting drugs through a vein, similar to a colonoscopy anesthetic. Local anesthetic in the mouth (after you are asleep) blocks signals to the brain and allows this to be lighter and safer than a deep hospital anesthetic. Recovery is faster and easier. Intravenous sedation requires a team of a surgeon, assistant, and anesthesiologist/sedation nurse. We recommend this option for patients who experience severe anxiety or have complex procedures. Patients will require a ride home from our office with this option.
Drug-Free Sedation with NuCalm
An entirely drug-free experience, NuCalm is 95% effective at reducing anxiety and helps you reach a meditative state during your procedure. Most patients leave our dental office feeling relaxed, calm, and recharged.
OraVerse
Most patients receive some type of local anesthesia during their appointments to numb the procedure area to eliminate pain. Unfortunately, the numbing effects can last for the next few hours which can lead to embarrassing drooling or difficulty drinking water. With OraVerse, we can reduce the effects of local anesthesia after your procedure to help you get back to your life as usual even faster. OraVerse is an injection we administer after your procedure. Since you’re numbed up, you won’t even feel it!
Relax At Your Southlake Dentist
Most patients can benefit from some form of relaxation dentistry. If you prefer a drug-free approach with minimal side effects, we have the option for you! In addition, by adding OraVerse into the end of your procedure, you can get back to life much sooner. On the flip side, oral conscious sedation, IV sedation, or oral sedation can help you finally get through a dental appointment completely relaxed. Since each patient has different needs, we recommend scheduling a consultation with our relaxation dentists to find out which option is best for you.
Please call (817) 587-4566 to learn more about relaxation dentistry and to schedule an appointment today.
