Sedation Dentistry In Cibolo
The most common reason that patients opt for sedation during an appointment is to reduce anxiety and nerves. However, sedation is also helpful for patients who have a strong gag reflex, a difficult time sitting still, or who will be undergoing a more lengthy treatment. Dr. Patel has years of experience offering sedation dentistry in Cibolo and Schertz, and our team will help you stay comfortable throughout your entire procedure.
Laughing Gas
IV Conscious Sedation
IV conscious sedation typically uses the same medicine as oral conscious sedation, but instead of being ingested orally, it is administered intravenously through an IV drip. This allows for fine-tuned control of dosage and a deeper level of sedation. We usually recommend IV sedation for patients who have severe dental anxiety, since it’s the best way to ensure that you sleep soundly throughout your entire dental procedure.
Minimal inhaled sedation, also known as laughing gas, causes euphoric effects when it’s inhaled, giving you a happy feeling throughout your treatment. Laughing gas is administered through a nose mask, and Dr. Patel will control the flow of the sedative to ensure that you feel comfortable throughout your entire procedure. You’ll feel calm and relaxed during your appointment, and the effects of laughing gas wear off quickly, which means you’ll be able to drive yourself home from our Cibolo dental office and resume your normal, day-to-day life afterwards.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is taken in pill or syrup form about an hour before your procedure. Adults usually take a pill, while children are typically given a liquid sedative. The medicine will significantly reduce your level of consciousness, make you feel very relaxed and sleepy, and may even make you fall asleep in the dentist’s chair. You will forget most of the procedure, making this a good choice for those who have more severe dental anxiety or patients who are undergoing multiple dental surgeries. You cannot drive yourself home after oral conscious sedation, so it’s important to arrange transportation before your visit.
IV Sedation
IV sedation uses the same sedative drugs as oral conscious sedation. However, rather than being delivered orally through a pill, they are delivered intravenously, directly into your veins and your bloodstream.
This means that IV sedation is more potent. The drugs do not have to be digested and processed by your stomach, so they will act instantly and will have a deeper sedative effect. However, the overall effects of IV sedation are still very similar to oral conscious sedation.
You will not be completely unconscious, but are likely to sleep through your whole procedure and you may forget what happens during the procedure. With IV sedation, it’s also still possible to wake you up, and you will be responsive to commands from the dental team.
Similarly to oral sedation, you will not be able to drive yourself home after treatment. You will need to bring a responsible adult, like a friend or family member, into whose care we can release you after your surgery. Keep this in mind when scheduling and coordinating your care.
Is Sedation Safe?
Yes. The drugs and techniques used by sedation dentistry have been used safely for decades in dentistry. Side effects are extremely rare, and are almost never serious enough to be life-threatening.
Dr. Patel has a lot of experience with dental sedation. He will administer the proper dose of sedative, and our dental team will keep a close eye on your vital signs to make sure that everything is proceeding normally throughout your dental procedure.
Dr. Patel will also meet with you to discuss your overall health, your health history, medications and supplements you’re taking, and other such details. This is done to ensure that there won’t be any conflicts or issues with your preferred sedation method.
So don’t worry about safety. You’re in good hands at Cibolo Family Smiles, and Dr. Patel will make sure that you get the treatment you need in Cibolo or Schertz.
Which Sedation Option Is Best For Me?
This depends on your treatment and your personal preferences. If you are having a relatively simple treatment, such as a filling, crown preparation treatment, or a root canal, may recommend nitrous oxide sedation. This is because nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is an affordable, fast, and simple way to help you relax in the dentist’s chair. It also works really quickly, and wears off after just a few minutes, so you can go back to your daily routine, or even go back to work.
Oral conscious sedation may be a better choice for more invasive treatments, such as a tooth extraction. However, this does require more planning, since you will need someone to drive you to and from Cibolo Family Smiles, and you will not be able to go back to work or school after your procedure.
IV sedation is often preferred for major oral surgeries like multiple extractions or full-mouth dental implants, since it’s easy to control the amount of sedative you receive, and its effects tend to be deeper and more long-lasting compared to oral sedation.