At Shorewood Family Dental Care, we know that even a routine dental appointment can be an uncomfortable experience for many people. In fact, some estimates put the number of people in the United States with dental anxiety at over 130 million! The widespread nature of dental anxiety is one of the reasons why we offer three levels of dental sedation, including IV sedation.
What is Dental Sedation?
Dental sedation is administered to relieve anxiety and induce a sense of calm and relaxation. In some cases, dental sedation is given to make intense and/or involved dental procedures more tolerable. Dental sedation can be inhaled, take by mouth, or given through an IV.
Nitrous Oxide
This is the lightest level of sedation that we offer, but it’s very effective for people with mild levels of dental anxiety. Nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas because it induces a sense of giddiness in some people. This form of sedation has been used safely for decades.
You breathe a mixture of nitrous oxide and air through a nosepiece. The effects are almost immediate – you’ll feel relaxed and comfortable. And the effects of nitrous oxide wear off very quickly, so you’ll be able to drive yourself home or back to work after your appointment.
Oral Conscious Sedation
This level of sedation is designed for people with moderate levels of dental anxiety. You’ll be given a prescription for a sedative pill to take about an hour before your scheduled appointment. You’ll definitely need someone to drive you before and after – sedatives and driving don’t mix.
By the time you arrive, you’ll be feeling the effects of the medication – relaxed, and maybe a little drowsy. In fact, while it’s not guaranteed, some people even fall asleep in the dental chair.
Once your procedure is done, you’re likely to be a bit groggy which is another reason your need a driver. You might not remember much about what happened during your time in the chair, which is a common effect of the medication we prescribe.
IV Sedation
If you have a high degree of dental anxiety, or you’re looking at an involved dental procedure, we can administer IV sedation to ensure a much more comfortable experience.
Dr. Funk has been certified in IV sedation since 2004, and has performed the procedure countless times. IV sedation near Joliet induces a “twilight” state in which you’re conscious and able to respond to questions during your procedure. However, you almost certainly won’t remember anything about what happened while you were in the chair. You’ll suddenly realize that the procedure is over.
Your attention may be impaired for a while longer, so a driver is an absolute must.
Don’t Put Off Needed Dental Car
If you’ve been postponing dental treatment due to anxiety or fear, dental sedation will let you get the care you need. You can count on the doctors at Shorewood Family Dental Care to administer the appropriate level of dental sedation to keep you relaxed and comfortable.
Learn more about our dental sedation options and how they can make your next dental experience your best. Call our office at 815-725-5991. You can also request an appointment using our online form.
We look forward to giving you stress-free dental care!
