Stay Relaxed During Dental Procedures
Are you anxious about visiting the dentist? If so, sedation dentistry may be a good option for you. Sedation dentistry can help you relax and feel at ease during dental procedures.
There are multiple types of dental sedation. Murphy dental offers both IV conscious sedation and oral sedation. We also offer valium prior to appointment and nitrous oxide sedation.
Doctor Michael Murphy has been a Fort Collins Dentist at for over 20 years and can help find the right sedation dentistry solution for you.
Who is Sedation Dentistry For?
Sedation dentistry provides the opportunity for those who have dental hesitancy, anxiety, or pain issues to get the dental care that they need.
Sedation dentistry may be a very good fit for you if you have any of the following:
- Aversion to needles
- General dental anxiety
- Low pain tolerance
- Sensitive teeth
- Difficulty obtaining a numb response from a local anesthetic
- Gag reflex problems
- Previous traumatic dental experiences
- Long dental appointments
IV sedation can also be an option for special needs patients to receive the dental care that they need.
Let’s now take a deep dive into each of these sedation options that we offer to learn how they work.
Types of Sedation We Offer
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is another good option if you have mild to moderate anxiety about visiting the dentist. For oral sedation, we will give you a pill to take the night before your appointment and one hour prior. The medication will make you feel very relaxed and sleepy.
Unlike IV Sedation which works almost instantly, it takes time for your body to metabolize the sedative in an oral sedation pill. It can take up to an hour for you to fully feel the effects of oral sedation.
Similar to IV sedation, you’ll need a ride to and from our Fort Collins office for safety purposes. Also like IV sedation, with oral sedation, you’re unlikely to remember very much about your dental procedure.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
We currently offer Nitrous oxide sedation (also known as “laughing gas”) is available to all patients with mild to moderate anxiety. The effects of nitrous oxide sedation differ from conscious sedation in that a patient is more aware during the procedure and will be able to remember much more of the procedure afterward. That said, a patient taking nitrous oxide as a sedative is still very relaxed and comfortable during procedures performed with nitrous oxide.
Your body processes nitrous oxide very quickly. This means there aren’t long-lasting effects of grogginess, allowing the patient to drive to and from the appointment without the need for a driver, and able to continue with daily activities following the appointment.. There are however some side effects that can be associated with nitrous oxide – including nausea and dizziness.
IV Conscious Sedation
Some of our patients opt for IV conscious sedation. IV conscious sedation is also called “sleep dentistry” by some (even though you’re never fully asleep). It is a very effective way to achieve deep sedation during your dental treatment.
For IV sedation dentistry, we will apply a numbing agent to your arm and then you’ll feel a tiny pinprick so that we can set up the IV in your arm. The sedative medications are given through a vein in your arm and they quickly take effect. In addition to the sedative applied through the iv, you’ll also receive a local anesthetic at the location in your mouth where our dentist will be performing your dental work.
Note that IV sedation is much different than general anesthesia. General anesthesia is a more complex process. With general anesthesia, the patient is completely unconscious and needs assistance breathing. The recovery time can also be much longer.
Note that IV sedation is much different than general anesthesia. General anesthesia is a more complex process. With general anesthesia, the patient is completely unconscious and needs assistance breathing. The recovery time can also be much longer.
IV conscious sedation is aptly named because you remain conscious during the dental procedure.
You will be sleepy and relaxed, but you will still be able to breathe independently and even be able to respond to questions. IV sedation has the advantage of providing you with a pain-free experience even during more complex dental procedures.
Another big advantage of IV Conscious sedation is that it is easy for our dentist to control your level of sedation. We can make sure that you’ll have just the right amount of sedative so that you stay relaxed during the procedure.
How Long Does IV Sedation Last?
The effects of IV conscious sedation can last for several hours. A slight downside of IV sedation is that you will need someone to drive you home afterward because the effects of the medication can last for several hours. You should be back to normal with no real side effects within 24 hours or less.
Will I Remember the Dental Procedure?
For the most part, no. Most patients don’t recall much – of anything – about their dental procedure while under iv sedation. This is completely normal.
Can I Eat Before Receiving IV Sedation?
Generally, no. The procedure is best performed on an empty stomach. You’ll consult with a dentist from our Fort Collins dental office who will provide you with instructions on what you can eat and drink prior to your dental procedure – as well as how many hours before your procedure you should cease consuming food and liquids.
IV Sedation is Appropriate for What Dental Services?
IV conscious sedation and oral sedation can be used for just about any of the dental services that we offer at Murphy Dental. Sedation can be used for your dental cleaning – it is also used for oral surgery. For example, If you’re getting a root canal or dental implants, you’ll almost certainly need a sedative.
Which Type of Sedation Should I Choose for My Dental Procedure?
Consult with our dentist, Dr. Murphy. He will also be able to answer any questions you may have about the different types of sedation. Based on your needs, he will craft the right dental sedation plan for you.
