Do you feel anxious or fearful about your dental care? Are you avoiding the dentist due to your dental anxiety and fear?
At Fuller Dental, we believe that dentistry can be stress-free for anxious patients with appropriate dental sedation. Sedation at the dentist’s office can enable patients to receive the care they need without feeling anxious. Don’t let anxiety stop your care. Sedation dentistry helps you relax and protect your smile.
Conscious Sedation for Dentistry in Burlington
Fuller Dental offers sedation dentistry options to meet the needs of the individual patient. The two most common types of dental sedation are forms of conscious sedation. You’ll feel completely relaxed and pain-free, yet still awake and in control.
We offer oral sedation and nitrous oxide to help anxious patients or those undergoing longer procedures relax comfortably. Your Fuller dentist will discuss your needs before treatment and ensure that any dental sedation prescribed is safe for you.
- Oral sedation: We prescribe this as an oral sedative that patients often take at home, so it has time to take effect. With oral sedation, patients will need an escort to and from their dental visit. After oral sedation, the effects last for several hours. You’ll need a full day to recover and should plan to avoid driving and other daily activities.
- Nitrous Oxide: This is delivered as an inhalation sedation. We place a tiny cannula beneath the nose just before treatment begins. Nitrous Oxide takes effect and wears off quickly.
IV Sedation for Dentistry
Dr. Sarah Cook is certified to provide IV sedation in our Burlington dental office. We administer this type of sedation through an IV, allowing us to adjust your relaxation level throughout the procedure. It’s ideal for longer appointments or more complex treatments, like removing an impacted tooth.
IV sedation has a stronger amnesic effect than oral sedatives or nitrous oxide. Most patients don’t remember their procedure afterward. Dr. Cook will administer and monitor the sedation for patients to ensure they are stable throughout the treatment.
IV Sedation: What to Expect
With IV sedation, we start the medication just before your procedure. You’ll wake up slowly afterward, but the effects last for hours, so a companion must drive you home and stay with you.
If you are receiving IV sedation for your procedure, we will provide preparation instructions to ensure a safe experience. These will include:
- We recommend wearing loose-fitting clothing for maximum comfort and ease of movement after your procedure.
- Alert our staff if you develop a cold or do not feel well the day before or the day of your procedure.
- We will discuss any other considerations with you at your consultation, prior to the procedure.
See our pre- and post-op instructions:
Who Benefits From Dental Sedation?
Sedation dentistry is a helpful option for many people who feel nervous or uncomfortable about going to the dentist. It is not just for one specific group; many different types of patients can benefit from it.
People with Dental Anxiety or Phobia
Sedation dentistry is ideal for people with dental anxiety or phobias. Dental anxiety is when someone feels nervous or scared about visiting the dentist. For some, it may be a slight nervousness, but others may have a strong fear known as dental phobia.
These fears can make it hard for people to get the dental care they need. Sedation helps them feel more relaxed, making it easier to go through appointments. With sedation, they can feel calm and comfortable while the dentist works, so they no longer need to avoid the dentist due to fear.
People with a Low Pain Tolerance
Some people have a lower tolerance for pain, which can make even minor dental procedures feel unbearable. Sedation can help these patients by making the entire experience less painful or uncomfortable. Some people may still feel discomfort even with local anesthesia, which numbs the treated area.
Sedation ensures that they don’t have to worry about feeling pain during their procedure. This makes it easier for the dentist to work and for the patient to stay comfortable throughout the process.
People with Sensitive Teeth or Gag Reflex
People with sensitive teeth often feel more discomfort during dental procedures than others. Even routine cleanings can be uncomfortable for them. Sedation can dull their sensitivity, making the process more tolerable.
Likewise, those with a strong gag reflex may find it difficult to have dental work done. A gag reflex is a natural response when something touches the back of your throat, but it is overly sensitive for some. This can make it hard for dentists to work on their teeth. Sedation relaxes the patient’s muscles and reduces the gag reflex, making dental procedures much smoother.
People with Special Needs
Patients with special needs, such as physical or cognitive disabilities, can also benefit from sedation dentistry. A long appointment can be difficult for patients who struggle to sit still or who feel confused about the treatment. Sedation can help them relax and stay calm, making it easier for the dentist to complete the necessary work. It also helps prevent any involuntary movements that might interfere with the procedure.
People Needing Complex or Lengthy Procedures
Longer treatments like wisdom tooth removal can be uncomfortable. Sedation dentistry helps you relax through the entire process. Patients undergoing these treatments may benefit from sedation because it allows them to stay comfortable for the entire procedure. Sedation helps time pass quickly and keeps you comfortable, so you won’t feel restless during a long appointment.
IV Sedation FAQs
We’re one of the few practices in the area to offer IV sedation for dental procedures. Learn more below.
Is IV sedation considered safe for dental procedures?
Yes, IV sedation when administered by a certified professional is safe for most patients. Dr. Cook will discuss your medical history before recommending the use of IV sedation.
Will IV sedation make me feel nauseous?
IV sedation is less likely to induce nausea than other sedation options. However, should you become nauseous after your procedure, we can prescribe an anti-nausea medication for your comfort. Please inform Dr. Cook before your procedure if you have previously experienced nausea from sedation.
Will I feel anything with IV sedation?
IV sedation offers the “deepest” conscious sedation for anxious patients. Once sedated, you will not feel any discomfort and may have little to no memory of the treatment. Your safety and comfort are our top priority. During your procedure, Dr. Cook will carefully monitor you and adjust the IV as needed.