Sedation Dentist – Atlanta, GA
Soothe Your Dental Anxiety & Fear with Sedation Dentistry
It’s predicted that millions of Americans are affected by fear and anxiety whenever they enter dental offices. This can keep you from scheduling important treatments and routine visits, leading to declining oral health and overall wellness. Our team at Mazzawi Dental Intown wants you to feel comfortable each time you’re in our treatment chair, which is why we offer oral conscious and nitrous oxide sedation. If you believe you could benefit from sedation dentistry, give us a call before your visit!
Why Choose Mazzawi Dental Intown for Sedation Dentistry?
- Fast-Acting, In-Office Nitrous Oxide Sedation
- Friendly & Highly Experienced Dental Team
- Comprehensive Dentistry for the Whole Family
IV Dental Sedation
For patients who need a stronger type of dental sedation to feel truly at ease, IV sedation can come to the rescue. Instead of taking oral medication, the sedative will be administered intravenously, which allows the dosage to be adjusted much more flexibly to create an optimal experience. Patients will not fall asleep, but they’ll enter such a deep state of relaxation that it’s common for them to have little to no memory of the treatment once they’ve fully recovered. Like with oral conscious sedation, you will need to plan for someone to pick you up from our dental office and watch over you for several hours afterward until the effect wears off.
What Is IV Dental Sedation?
For this method of sedation, the medication is administered directly into the bloodstream, so you will feel the effects very quickly. You will remain conscious, but typically won’t remember anything that occurs during the procedure, as you will be in a deep state of relaxation. Our team will be closely monitoring your vitals to ensure that you are perfectly safe. The effects can take some time to wear off, so you should arrange to have a trusted friend or family member drive you to and from your appointment.
Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Dental Sedation?
IV sedation is most commonly used during oral surgeries and long procedures. This can help to lessen high levels of anxiety and phobias associated with the dental office. Additionally, people who have an overactive gag reflex, TMJ dysfunction (TMD), or neuromuscular issues that could make it more difficult to keep their mouth open for a long period of time can often benefit from IV sedation. Before your treatment, we will discuss your anxiety levels, health history, and any medications that you are taking to determine if IV sedation is ideal for you.
The Benefits of IV Dental Sedation
Many patients benefit from IV sedation. Here are some of the ways it can help:
- The effects set in quickly because of the method of administration.
- Patients can receive essential oral healthcare despite dental phobia.
- Our dental team controls the flow of medication. This way, the patient experiences a constant state of relaxation.
- IV sedation prevents additional stress-related memories that can make seeking future dental care challenging.
Oral Conscious Dental Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is a great option for patients who experience mild to moderate dental anxiety or fear. Before your visit, we’ll prescribe you a single pill to take, typically in the diazepam family. By having you take it about an hour before your appointment, you’ll arrive at the office already calm and less fearful. Because the effects can last for several hours, you’ll need to have a trusted friend or family member drop you off and pick you up from our office.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is generally recommended for adults who have anxiety, fear, or something else that makes them feel uncomfortable in the dental treatment chair. There are no needles or face masks involved. Instead, your dentist will prescribe you a small pill to take about an hour before your appointment. By the time you get to the dental office, you will already be perfectly relaxed.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
As soon as the effects kick in, you will feel deeply relaxed. Some patients don’t even remember their treatment afterward. However, you will be conscious throughout the duration of your treatment, so you will still be able to answer questions and respond to the instructions your dentist gives you. We will closely monitor you throughout the entire treatment to make sure you are comfortable and safe. Unlike nitrous oxide sedation, these effects linger, so you will need to arrange for a trusted friend or family member to take you to and from your treatment.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is popular because it is highly effective yet doesn’t involve a mask or needles. You may benefit from it if you:
- Have dental anxiety or phobia
- Regularly cancel appointments due to fear of bad news
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Are receiving multiple treatments
- Have a long dental treatment
- Have difficulty sitting still in the dental chair
- Struggle to become numb from anesthesia
- Have had negative dental experiences previously
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Nitrous oxide is administered as soon as you get comfortable in the dental treatment chair. We’ll place a small mask over your nose that will allow you to breathe in a colorless, odorless gas. Within seconds, you’ll feel a calming wave wash over you. After your treatment is complete, we’ll have you breathe in pure oxygen for a few minutes to minimize any chances of side effects occurring. Once the effects have worn off, you’ll be able to continue with your day as you normally would.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation?
Sedation dentistry is a great option for many patients who feel uncomfortable when visiting the dental office. Nitrous oxide sedation is usually recommended for patients with:
- Dental anxiety
- Fear of needles
- Tooth sensitivity
- Difficulty sitting still
- Resistance to local anesthetics
If any of these things apply to you or there is another reason why you think you could benefit from nitrous oxide sedation, let us know. It may be just what you need to feel comfortable during your dental treatment.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation Work?
Before the start of your treatment, we will administer nitrous oxide through a small mask that will be placed over your nose, and all you need to do is breathe like you normally would. We will adjust the flow of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas, which is clear and odorless. After a couple of minutes, you will feel a euphoric wave coming over you, allowing you to relax and feel more comfortable.
Once the effects of the nitrous oxide kick in, we will begin your treatment. Once we are done, we will remove the mask and turn off the flow of gas. The effects should quickly fade away and you should feel like your normal self again within minutes.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
The aftereffects of nitrous oxide don’t linger, so you only need to stay at the practice for a few minutes until you feel back to normal. You can even drive yourself home afterward. Most patients are able to continue with their regular work routine and other obligations. Be sure to closely follow any recovery instructions provided to you for the treatment you receive.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Sedation dentistry is a perfectly safe option for most patients. The majority of people handle nitrous oxide without an issue, so it is a very popular option for a wide range of patients. Before deciding whether or not to administer sedation, your dentist will go over your medical history and current medications with you to find out if there are any risks of negative interactions. While you are sedated, the dental team will closely monitor your vitals at all times to ensure you are safe.
What does it feel like to be sedated at the dentist?
This depends on the type of sedation that you opt for. Nitrous oxide makes you feel relaxed and light. Some patients may experience a slight tingling sensation. Oral conscious sedation offers an even deeper sense of relaxation. You might have a hard time speaking or staying awake. Some patients report feeling “heavy.” IV sedation produces very similar feelings to oral conscious sedation, but more amplified.
Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance?
The majority of dental insurance plans consider sedation to be a luxury treatment, just like cosmetic dentistry. Because of this, they often don’t cover the cost. However, there could be exceptions. For instance, if you or your loved one has a disability that makes getting dental treatment challenging, sedation could be partially covered. The same thing goes for very complex, long procedures. Every insurance plan is different, so it is best to contact your provider ahead of time so there aren’t any surprises. We would also be happy to help you with this process.
How long does dental sedation last?
This will vary depending on the type of sedation you opt for. The effects of nitrous oxide should wear off within 5 minutes. You can even drive yourself home. For oral conscious sedation, you could feel the effects of the pill for the rest of the day, so you should avoid driving for 24 hours after your procedure. As for IV sedation, you might feel groggy for several hours afterward. You should arrange for a trusted friend or family member to drive you home.
Does dental sedation make you tell secrets?
Contrary to popular belief, dental sedation is not a “truth serum.” It is very unlikely that you will reveal any deep, dark secrets while you are sedated. Even if you do happen to say something you normally wouldn’t, you can rest assured that it will be kept within the walls of the dental treatment room.