Sedation Dentistry – Marana, AZ
Making Each
of Your Appointments More Comfortable
Do you have a sensitive gag reflex, experience fear or anxiety when you enter the dentist’s office, or have a disability that makes sitting in a treatment chair uncomfortable and difficult? Dr. Fitzgerald offers nitrous oxide sedation to help accommodate her patients who have various barriers that keep them from receiving comfortable treatment. To learn whether or not sedation dentistry from our Manara, AZ dentist can help you, don’t hesitate to contact our dental office!
Why Choose Sweet Smiles Family Dentistry & Orthodontics
for Sedation Dentistry?
-
No Lingering
Side-Effects - Safe & Fast-Acting Sedation
- Friendly & Understanding Dental Team
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide is a fast-acting form of sedation that has been used for decades. If you struggle with dental anxiety, you might be wondering why you’ve never heard of it before. There’s a good chance you have, but by another name: laughing gas. If you are interested in learning more about dental nitrous oxide in Marana, then take the next step: give us a call so a friendly member of our team can help you!
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
This calming solution is a great option for patients who:
- Struggle with dental anxiety
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Need extensive dental care
- Experience head/neck/jaw pain in the treatment chair
If this sounds like you, then ask us about nitrous oxide! At your appointment, we can review your dental history, learn about any allergies you have, and determine if you’re a good candidate for this calming solution.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Our team administers nitrous oxide in-office to help patients feel relaxed and comfortable. This is done with a nasal mask, which allows you to breathe in the colorless, odorless gas. Within just a minute or two, you’ll begin to feel a euphoric wave wash over you, alleviating anxiety, stress, and worry in the process. Although you won’t be put to sleep, you may feel so calm that you doze off. If that happens, don’t worry – we can easily wake you. We can also let you rest, if that’s what you prefer!
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
After the treatment is complete, our team will remove the mask from your nose, and after a few minutes, the effects will completely wear off. As a result, you don’t have to deal with lingering drowsiness, spend the rest of the day resting, or even arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment. All we ask is that you abide by any aftercare instructions we provide you with, like sticking to a liquid diet or rinsing your mouth periodically with warm saltwater.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is Nitrous Oxide Safe?
Dentists have used nitrous oxide for almost two hundred years because it is a safe and effective way to make oral healthcare more comfortable for patients. Nitrous oxide is the safest form of dental sedation for most people because it is not associated with long-term side effects and is eliminated from the body within minutes after the patient stops receiving the gas. However, Dr. Fitzgerald will only recommend the treatment after thoroughly evaluating the patient’s medical history and current medications to make sure they can receive it without any complications. While you are sedated, our team will carefully monitor your vital signs such as oxygen levels, blood pressure, and heart rate to make sure you’re safe.
What Does Nitrous Oxide Feel Like?
Patients who receive nitrous oxide report that it makes them feel relaxed, light, and slightly euphoric, and some experience a slight tingling sensation in their limbs. The treatment will help you stay calm and reduce your sensitivity to pain, which can make it easier to receive necessary dental care. After the procedure, you may experience a little queasiness or dizziness, but this will go away after a few minutes. Patients who receive nitrous oxide can expect to be able to drive themselves home or back to work or school after their treatment, depending on the procedure performed.
Does Nitrous Oxide Make You Act Strangely?
You may have seen nitrous oxide portrayed in movies and on television as causing patients to laugh hysterically, divulge sensitive information, or hallucinate, and the team Sweet Smiles Family Dentistry and Orthodontics is happy to report that these depictions are not true to life. In reality, you will not see or hear anything that isn’t there or behave in ways that you normally would not while receiving nitrous oxide. Instead, you will simply feel quite calm and relaxed and be less sensitive to discomfort. Even if you do say something silly or embarrassing while receiving nitrous oxide, you can rest assured that the staff will not discuss it later.
Am I a Suitable Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
You may be an excellent candidate for nitrous oxide if you are scheduled for an intensive procedure or are simply nervous about sitting in our treatment chair. You may also be able to benefit from the treatment if you have low pain tolerance, an unusually sensitive gag reflex, or trouble sitting still or keeping your mouth open for prolonged periods of time. Nitrous oxide can also make it easier to receive multiple dental treatments in one session. However, pregnancy, certain medical conditions, and some medications may complicate nitrous oxide sedation, so Dr. Fitzgerald will be sure to evaluate your current medications and medical history before recommending the treatment.