Sedation Dentist Jackson
Stay Relaxed During Your Dental Appointment
Are you nervous or even afraid whenever you step foot into the dentist’s office? You might be suffering from some level of dental anxiety. Don’t worry, you’re not alone; we’ve seen plenty of patients who have struggled with their dental fears, and we know what steps to take to make their visits as comfortable and stress-free as possible. When you call Lakeland Dental Care to schedule an appointment, be sure to ask about our options for sedation dentistry in Jackson and how they could make your next dental experience a more positive one!
Why Choose Lakeland Dental Care for Sedation Dentistry?
- Multiple Options for Relaxing Sedation
- Same Dentist and Hygienist at Every Visit
- Wide Range of In-House Dental Services
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation provides a deeper level of relaxation than nitrous oxide, making it great for patients who feel especially anxious or fearful about dental care. At Lakeland Dental Care, we offer this option to help you feel at ease so you can finally get the treatment you’ve been putting off. With oral conscious sedation, you can come to your visit feeling safe, calm, and ready to achieve a healthier smile.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation uses a prescription pill to help you settle into a deep state of relaxation during your dental appointment. Before your visit, our team will provide you with a pill and clear instructions for taking it.
While in the chair, you’ll feel your body and mind relax, but you’ll still be able to talk and answer questions. You won't be unconscious—only unbothered by everything going on around you. Most patients describe the experience as calm and dreamlike, often with little memory of the appointment afterward.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
Normally, you'll take your prescribed medication about an hour before your treatment begins, giving it time to take effect before we get started. Once it kicks in, you'll feel deeply relaxed—heavy, calm, and pleasant. Some patients even doze off during their procedure, or think that they have, because the appointment seems to pass in the blink of an eye.
Because oral conscious sedation lasts longer than nitrous oxide, the effects may linger for the rest of the day. You'll need a trusted friend or family member to drive you home and stay with you while the medication wears off. We recommend avoiding driving for the rest of the day after your procedure to ensure your safety.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Dental anxiety isn't the only reason to consider oral sedation in Jackson. You may also be a great candidate if you have a low pain tolerance, a sensitive gag reflex, or difficulty sitting still or keeping your mouth open for extended periods. Patients who need multiple procedures completed in a single visit often benefit as well. That said, oral conscious sedation may not be the best choice for you if you’re pregnant, have certain medical conditions, or take medications that could interact with the sedative. Our team will review your health history during your consultation to confirm whether it's the right fit for you.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective form of dental sedation that has been used to help patients remain comfortable during oral healthcare treatments for almost two hundred years. This method can be a great option for virtually everyone since it is free from long-term side effects and is eliminated from the body within minutes after the treatment ends. Here’s a quick look at how nitrous oxide sedation works at Lakeland Dental Care, but please feel free to contact our office in Jackson if you’d like to know more.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide sedation can be safe for both children and adults, and it can be a great solution for patients who deal with issues like:
- A fear of needles
- Difficulty remaining comfortable in the treatment chair
- Excessive dental sensitivity
- Powerful gag reflex
- Anxiety about seeing the dentist
- Difficulty achieving the desired effects of other numbing agents.
However, nitrous oxide may not be a suitable choice for patients who are pregnant, those with upper respiratory infections or sinus congestion, and those who are taking medications that may complicate the treatment.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Nitrous oxide is a gaseous substance that you can inhale through a small nasal mask during your dental treatment. This will induce a sense of calmness and wellbeing and help you stay comfortable as we work on your teeth by reducing your sensitivity to pain, and you should start feeling the effects shortly after you start receiving the gas. We can adjust how much gas you receive as needed throughout the process, and we’ll keep an eye on your vital signs at all times to ensure you are safe. After the mask has been removed, it will only take a few minutes for you to return to normal, so you’ll be able to go back to your regular activities without interruption.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Some patients may experience temporary and mild dizziness or queasiness after receiving nitrous oxide, but all side effects should vanish quickly since the body will eliminate the gas from its system within about fifteen minutes. After the effects of nitrous oxide wear off, you can expect to be able to drive yourself home or back to work and resume your normal daily activities. However, it will still be essential to adhere to any aftercare instructions our dentist gives you to ensure a smooth and speedy recovery.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is sedation dentistry safe?
For most people, sedation is a perfectly safe option. Most people handle nitrous oxide sedation without any issue, so it is the safest for the highest number of people. Before deciding whether to administer sedation, we will go over your medical history and current medications to find out if there could possibly be any negative interactions. While you are sedated, we will closely monitor your vitals at all times to ensure that you are perfectly safe!
What does it feel like to be sedated at the dentist?
This all depends on the type of sedation that you are receiving. Nitrous oxide sedation makes you feel relaxed, light, and euphoric. Some patients experience a slight tingling sensation in their arms and legs. You may even get the giggles, which is where nitrous oxide gets the name “laughing gas” from. Oral conscious sedation gives you an even deeper sense of relaxation. You might have some difficulty peaking and staying away. Some patients even doze off during their procedure and feel “heavy.” The appointment may feel like it goes by very quickly.
How long does dental sedation last?
The length of your dental sedation will depend on the type that you opt for. The effects of nitrous oxide should wear off withing five minutes after you stop inhaling the gas. You should be feeling okay enough to drive yourself back home or to work afterward without lingering drowsiness. With oral conscious sedation, the pill’s effects may remain active for the rest of the day. You should avoid driving for 24 hours after your procedure.
Does dental sedation make you tell secrets?
Contrary to popular belief, dental sedation isn’t actually a “truth serum.” It is very unlikely that you will reveal any deep, dark secrets while you are sedated. Even if you do say something that you normally wouldn’t say while under sedation, you can trust that it will be kept withing the walls of the dental treatment room.
Am I a good candidate for sedation dentistry?
If you’ve been putting off getting dental work your need, you might benefit from sedation dentistry. However, anxiety isn’t the only reason to undergo sedation, you might also be a good candidate if you have a low pain tolerance, sensitive gag reflex, or difficulties sitting still or holding your mouth open for long periods of time. You might not be a good candidate if you are pregnant, have certain medical conditions, or are taking certain medications.