Learn more about sedation dentistry, and which type might be right for you, in a free dental consult.
Our dental offices are some of the few in Mesa (or the greater Phoenix area) to offer all three types of sedation for dentistry, and each one is administered differently.
Here’s how sedation dentistry works…
IV Sedation / General Anesthesia
IV sedation is a sedative that we deliver through an IV tube that’s placed in your arm. Also referred to as general anesthesia, IV sedation will render you unconscious. The medication takes effect almost immediately, and you wake up quickly after we stop administering the sedative to you.
It takes time for the sedative effects of IV sedation to wear off, however, so you will need to have someone drive you home after your dental appointment.
Oral Sedation / Conscious Sedation
Oral sedation is delivered through a pill, which you take before your dental appointment. The medication will slow down your central nervous system, making you less aware of your surroundings. You’ll be conscious – able to respond to questions – but, afterward, you’ll have little or no memory of what transpired in your appointment. And time will seem to pass quickly, making an hour seem like minutes.
It will take some time for the sedative effects of oral sedation to wear off, so you’ll need to have someone drive you home after your dental appointment.
Nitrous Oxide / Laughing Gas
Nitrous oxide is a gas, which we deliver through a nosepiece during your dental treatment. Because it can make you feel not only relaxed and comfortable, but also giddy, it’s known as laughing gas. During your dental procedure, we’ll monitor how you’re doing, and we can adjust the dosage of nitrous oxide up or down. After we’re finished, we’ll switch over to oxygen, and the effects of the laughing gas should soon wear off. You should be able to drive yourself home after receiving nitrous oxide, but you can always hang out in our waiting room, or call someone to pick you up, if you don’t feel fully alert.
Please check with the dental office nearest to you to find out if we are a preferred provider, in network, for the following dental plans: Guardian Dental, Aetna Dental, Cigna Dental, United Healthcare Dental, United Concordia Dental, Metlife Dental, Delta Dental, and Humana Dental.
For information about how sedation is administered in dentistry, or to schedule a free consultation or appointment, please call the office near you:
Mesa - Modern Dentistry East Valley, near S. Stapley Dr and E. Baseline Rd., (480) 359-3827
Please make note: Our dental offices are located in Mesa and they are accepting new patients.