Sedation Dentistry Spring
Say Goodbye to Dental Anxiety and Fear
One of the most common reasons why people don’t go to the dentist is because of fear or anxiety. While it may not seem like a big deal to miss an appointment or two, neglecting dental visits can add up fast. In the long term, your risk for dental disease goes up. Thankfully, our dental office provides multiple forms of sedation dentistry in Spring, TX, to put you at ease, regardless of the treatment you need. Contact our office to inquire about which option is right for you.
Why Choose Spring Dentist for Sedation Dentistry?
- Quick and Convenient Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation Available
- Oral Conscious Dental Sedation for Patients with Significant Anxiety
- Calm and Comfortable Dentist, Team, and Dental Office
Oral Conscious Dental Sedation
For moderate levels of anxiety, oral conscious sedation is a common sedative that comes in the form of a pill. This sedative is taken several hours before your appointment. By the time you arrive, you’ll be feeling deeply relaxed and ready to receive care. Keep in mind that because of the strength, you’ll need to have a friend or family member accommodate you to and from our dental office. Furthermore, patients should allow time after treatment for the effects to wear off.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation Dentistry
If you have a milder form of anxiety, nitrous oxide offers a quick and simple method for achieving a more relaxed state. Nitrous oxide is a gaseous sedative that is administered via a nasal mask and controlled by the dentist. Since no form of sedation dentistry is meant to put you entirely to sleep, you’ll be able to inform Dr. Kuykendall of your comfort levels. We’ll do everything we can to make sure you’re feeling comfortable and prepared to receive care.
IV Dental Sedation
If you need a stronger form of relaxation during your appointment, we’ll provide IV sedation with the help of a board-certified anesthesiologist who comes directly to the dental office for added convenience. The medication will be administered intravenously, and you’ll enter into a deep state of relaxation. Our anesthesiologist will keep a close eye on your vitals to ensure complete safety and will also make adjustments to the dosage, if needed, for optimal comfort.
This premium service costs $750 an hour – if you’re interested in learning more or scheduling it for your upcoming appointment, contact us today!
How IV Sedation Works
With IV sedation, we administer a powerful sedative directly into the bloodstream, so it takes effect quickly. You’ll be in a state of relaxation that’s much deeper than what nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation can provide. Although you’ll technically remain awake, you probably won’t remember much of your procedure afterward because you’ll barely be aware of your surroundings.
During your procedure, our team will closely monitor your vitals (blood pressure, body temperature, oxygen levels, and heart rate) the entire time that you’re under the effects of the sedation. If needed, we can adjust the dosage at any moment to ensure your safety and comfort.
Because the effects of IV sedation can take up to 24 hours to wear off completely, it’s important to have a trusted friend or family member drive you to and from our office.
Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?
We may recommend IV sedation for patients who have:
- Long or intensive treatments they must complete – Holding your mouth open can get tiring after an extended period of time, but IV sedation can make it much easier.
- Severe dental anxiety or phobia – With IV sedation, you won’t be conscious enough to register what’s going on, making for a stress-free experience.
- Difficulty getting numb – Some patients don’t respond to local anesthetics as well as others, but IV sedation can dull the senses enough to make your care comfortable.
- A sensitive gag reflex – Dental treatments can be next to impossible for patients with a touchy gag reflex. Luckily, IV sedation suppresses it.
As your sedation dentist in Spring, TX, Dr. Kuykendall will only administer IV sedation if he deems it safe for you. Before your procedure, he’ll ask you about your medical history and your current medications to determine whether there are risks of complications.
The Benefits of IV Sedation
If you’re considering IV sedation, you should know about its benefits. For example:
- It creates such a deep state of relaxation that it prevents traumatizing dental memories from occurring, decreasing the risk that a patient will avoid dental care in the future.
- Since the sedative is administered directly into the bloodstream, its effects begin to take hold within minutes.
- Unlike with oral conscious sedation, our team can control the dosage of IV sedation and adjust it as needed.
- IV sedation can improve oral health in patients who have avoided dental care in the past due to debilitating fear or anxiety.