If you suffer from extreme dental anxiety, good dental care can seem like a fruitless dream. Some patients can find comfort just learning about the treatments they can expect. For some, however, education and a good relationship with your dental care provider just aren’t enough. For these patients, Dr. Jody Harrison offers several sedation dentistry options, to make your visit as easy and painless as possible.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is a technique designed to help especially anxious patients receive the dental care they need. In order to minimize anxiety, the patient will be sedated before beginning treatment. This makes treatment more comfortable and easier for both the patient and the dentist.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
Dr. Harrison offers all three major types of dental sedation at his Asheville, NC dental office. Which option Dr. Harrison recommends will vary based on your planned treatment and health history.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas, is one of the most common forms of sedation. The benefit of this form of sedation is that it acts quickly and wears off just as fast. Patients will wear a small mask over the nose that administers the gas. While the mask is in place, you should remain conscious but relaxed and calm. Once the mask is removed, you should feel normal again very quickly. Laughing gas has been used in surgery for over 150 years and is extremely safe. It is also the only kind of sedation that will allow you to drive yourself to and from your appointment.
Oral Conscious Sedation
This option takes the form of an oral pill. Because the pill needs some time to take effect, you will be provided with the medication at home and instructions to take it about an hour before your appointment. This is another form of sedation that allows the patient to remain conscious but relaxed. Oral conscious sedation is slow both to take effect and wear off, so you will need a ride both to and from your appointment.
IV Sedation
IV or intravenous sedation is the deepest form of sedation we offer. It is delivered via an intravenous catheter. The slow constant dose means that Dr. Harrison can adjust the level of sedation throughout treatment. Patients fall into a sleep-like state but remain responsive to verbal commands, and many people do not remember the procedure after the sedation wears off. You will need a ride to and from your IV sedation appointment.
Schedule a Consultation
Are you interested in sedation dentistry to combat your dental anxiety? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Jody Harrison to discuss what sedation dentistry can do for you. To make an appointment with our Asheville, NC office, contact us on our website or at (828) 202-1706.