One of the most pervasive and destructive obstacles to maintaining good dental health is the fear of visiting the dentist. At New Hampshire Smile Co. in Nashua, NH, we know this problem first-hand because every person who enters our office has a degree of fear or apprehension about dental work. It is our firm stance that every patient has some level of apprehension, and we do not judge you based on it. In fact, we encourage you to tell us how you feel so you can relax in our office. With sedation dentistry in Nashua, NH from New Hampshire Smile Co., patients no longer have to wait to get the care they need due to dental fear. Our recommendations for this method are carefully tailored to the patient’s needs.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is the use of certain drugs to decrease anxiety and increase the comfort level of the patient during dental treatment. In addition, some sedatives can also cause temporary memory loss. Patients who are highly anxious, have complex medical histories, or require complex treatment may have difficulty getting through their appointments without sedation dentistry. At New Hampshire Smile Co., sedation dentistry is offered for more than just a last resort or an upsell. We believe that each patient’s comfort during treatment is crucial and that the use of these drugs in the office is an integral part of the treatment experience.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
What Is Nitrous Oxide Sedation?
Known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is administered through a small nasal mask at the start of your appointment. After a few minutes, most patients will be able to sense the calming effect of the treatment. Nitrous oxide is a mild anesthetic, and the patient will be fully awake during the appointment so as to be able to communicate with our dental team.
Benefits Of Nitrous Oxide Sedation
- Nitrous oxide takes only a few minutes to take effect
- The concentration of the gas can be adjusted at any time to keep you relaxed throughout the appointment
- The sedative properties wear off very quickly once the nasal mask is removed (you can drive yourself home after your appointment, or continue with the day’s activities immediately after it)
- The procedure can be performed on patients of all ages including children
- No preparation or pre-appointment planning is necessary
- The most accessible sedation option to be offered for patients with mild to moderate anxiety receiving routine or restorative services
Oral Conscious Sedation
What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is administered by way of oral medication that will take effect approximately one hour before the appointment. When the medication is at its peak, your procedure will take place. In this state, a person is fully awake but will be in a deeply relaxed state. Conscious sedation will enable you to respond to verbal commands, but your anxiety and discomfort will be greatly diminished. Oral conscious sedation can also cause a temporary sense of time distortion.
What Makes Oral Conscious Sedation A Good Choice?
- Deeper relaxation than nitrous oxide for patients with moderate to significant dental anxiety
- Time-compression makes long or complicated visits feel easier
- Most patients remember very little or nothing at all of the procedure; arriving anxious and feeling very relieved at the end
- Oral sedation can be used for routine or restorative appointments, as well as any appointment when the patient’s anxiety and appointment length make deep sedation genuinely helpful
- For patients who have struggled with dental anxiety that keeps them from getting consistent care, more treatment can often be accomplished in a single appointment
IV Sedation
What Is IV Sedation?
IV sedation is infused directly into the bloodstream, providing deep sedation that starts almost immediately and can be continuously titrated to provide consistent comfort throughout the entire dental appointment, even when it’s for the most complex and longest dental procedures.
What Makes IV Sedation A Good Choice?
- Deepest possible level of sedation at New Hampshire Smile Co for patients with significant dental phobia or complicated treatment requirements
- Continuous adjustment throughout the appointment, something not possible with oral sedation
- Most patients remember very little or nothing at all of the procedure, making this sedation the most transformative option for patients who have not been able to access dental care for a long period of time
- Especially suitable for complex surgical appointments, extensive restorative treatments, and full mouth rehabilitation, when multiple procedures can be completed more efficiently in fewer appointments
- When patients need the deepest available sedation for their dental work, IV sedation allows us to provide them the most thorough treatment as comfortably as possible
Who Should Consider Dental Sedation?
At our practice, dental sedation at New Hampshire Smile Co. can be a good choice for a wide variety of people. In addition, at our office, we start with an honest conversation about the patient’s specific case rather than making a blanket recommendation:
- Those with mild to moderate dental anxiety seeking a more relaxed and pleasant dental visit
- Those with significant dental phobia who have not gone to the dentist for a long time due to their fears
- Those with an overactive gag reflex that interferes with their dental treatment
- Those with longer or more invasive procedures including full mouth rehabilitation, multiple extractions, or comprehensive restorative work
- Those with special needs or medical conditions for whom traditional, drug-free dentistry is very difficult
- Those who would like to complete more dental work in fewer appointments by getting a greater amount of treatment done comfortably in one visit
For our patients in Nashua, NH, the best option for dental sedation is determined by an individualized conversation involving anxiety level, medical history, proposed dental treatments, and personal needs. Our standard at our practice is always meeting patients where they are and finding solutions for how they can access the dental care that they need.
Give us a call today, or click on the button to request an appointment online.