Sedation Dentistry – Brick Township, NJ

What is Oral Conscious Sedation?

Oral conscious sedation is one of the most popular forms of sedation dentistry largely due to how straightforward it is compared to other options. It involves a pill that you will be told to take at a certain time before your appointment (usually an hour beforehand). You should start feeling the effects by the time you arrive at our office; plan on having a friend or family member drive you to the appointment. Once you’re in a completely relaxed and comfortable state, we’ll begin your treatment.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work? 

First we’ll review your medical history and take note of any medications you’re currently taking as well as your allergies. Once we’ve confirmed that you’re eligible for oral conscious sedation, we’ll determine how strong the pill needs to be and give you your instructions for when to take it. It’s usually recommended not to eat before oral conscious sedation, as doing so could cause nausea.

The effects of oral conscious sedation aren’t supposed to put you to sleep. You might doze off, but we can easily wake you up so that you can answer our questions or let us know if there’s anything else we can do to help you stay comfortable. The effects of oral conscious sedation take a while to fully wear off, so once the procedure is over, you’ll need to have a trusted friend of family member drive you back home. For safety, you should take time off of work and other activities until you’re no longer under the lingering effects of the sedative.

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

You might be considered a candidate for oral conscious sedation if you have

• High dental fear and anxiety
• A strong gag reflex
• Are resistant to the medication used to numb the mouth
• Suffer acute or chronic jaw pain that makes it hard to keep your mouth open
• Have trouble sitting still for long periods of time
• Are simply looking to “take the edge off” from your dental care

There are some factors that could negatively affect your ability to get oral conscious sedation. For example, it should not be administered to pregnant women or anyone with a respiratory condition. We’ll consider all of the pertinent factors before we determine what kind of sedation is most suitable to your situation.

Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide is recommended to patients who are scared or anxious of visiting the dentist’s office for any reason. It’s also recommended for those who:

• Have trouble controlling their movements or sitting still for an extended period of time.
• Find it difficult to become numb when a local anesthetic is applied.
• Have particularly sensitive teeth or gums that can make dental treatments uncomfortable.

Do any of these sound familiar? Or do you have another reason why you think you might benefit from nitrous oxide? The next time you schedule an appointment with our office, feel free to ask about nitrous oxide to see if it’s suitable for you.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?

There is no preparation required for nitrous oxide sedation. You just need to come to our office as normal. Before we begin your treatment, we’ll place a small mask over your nose and start administering the nitrous oxide gas, which will be mixed with oxygen. In just a minute or two, you’ll feel highly relaxed and be at ease with what’s going on around you as well as inside your mouth. You won’t be unconscious; in fact, you’ll be able to answer any questions we might have and follow our instructions as needed. Side effects are typically very slight and usually include light-headedness or a tingling sensation. Once we’ve finished the treatment, we’ll turn off the gas and remove the mask. We’ll give you time to recover, which should usually take no more than just a few minutes.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide

Unlike other forms of nitrous oxide, there’s no need to ask someone else to drive you home or to make arrangements to spend the rest of the day recovering. There’s no drowsiness after a treatment with nitrous oxide; the effects wear off in a few short minutes. In some cases, we’ll administer a small amount of oxygen after we’ve stopped supplying the gas. The oxygen will help clear out any remaining nitrous oxide so that the effects wear off sooner and can potentially prevent headaches.

After you’ve fully recovered, you’ll be alert enough to drive and perform any other task. This means that you can go on with the rest of your day as normal, whether that means returning home immediately or going back to school or work. It is recommended, however, that you only eat light meals for at least three hours after the procedure so as to minimize the risk of nausea.

Is sedation dentistry safe while pregnant?

During the first trimester of pregnancy, it is strongly advised that women avoid dental procedures that require sedation. This is because it is possible for the medications administered to pass from the mother to the fetus through the placenta. As a result, development problems can occur. There are also disadvantages to undergoing sedation during the third trimester, one of which is preterm labor. For women who are pregnant, it is best to choose one of the following options: Undergo treatment and sedation during the second trimester or wait (if possible) until after the baby is born.

What are the risks of sedation dentistry?

No two patients are alike, so the effects of sedation are different for everyone. Nitrous oxide is viewed as one of the safest forms of sedation, and oral medication can be equally as safe if proper precautions are taken. For individuals who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea or who take certain medications for various health-related conditions, however, sedation dentistry can pose potential problems. This is why it’s important to discuss your medical history with your sedation dentist in Brick Township. If you do experience side effects, the most common ones include nausea, fatigue, and headache.

Is sedation dentistry worth it?

Sedation dentistry is certainly worth the investment, especially if you are prone to putting off your dental appointments because of fear or anxiety. Its calming effects and ability to make dental visits easier and less daunting can help to lower future expenses because of the preventive measures you're taking to improve your oral health. While sedation dentistry may or may not be covered by your dental insurance, our team at Nu Dental will work to identify ways to help you save whether it is through our in-house membership plan or flexible financing.

Does dental sedation make you tell secrets?

If you’re contemplating sedation dentistry but are fearful you might accidentally divulge your deepest, darkest secrets, there’s no need to fear. Oral conscious sedation and nitrous oxide are not truth serums. However, should you say something during your visit while under sedation, you can trust that our team at Nu Dental will keep it strictly confidential, as your trust and confidence are of the utmost importance.