Sedation Dentistry – Hamden, CT
Stay Calm and
Relieve Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety and fear affects more people than you’d think. In fact, it’s one of the most common reasons many patients end up rescheduling or cancelling dental appointments as their visit gets closer. Issues like these can develop under no fault of your own, which is why we want to have options available should you need a little extra push to get your most important dental work completed. Give us a call to see if sedation dentistry from our Hamden, CT dentist is right for you!
Why Choose D'Andrea and Pantera, DMD, PC
for Sedation Dentistry?
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Fast-Acting Nitrous
Oxide Available - Powerful Oral Conscious Sedation for Moderate Anxiety
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Trained Dental Team Makes
Your Comfort a Priority
Oral Conscious Dental Sedation
It’s not uncommon for patients to have some degree of anxiety about visiting the dentist. Whether it’s for a routine exam and cleaning, a cosmetic treatment, or a more involved restorative procedure, this fear can sometimes prevent patients from seeking the care they need. Although solutions like nitrous oxide sedation are helpful to some, in certain cases it may not be enough. Thankfully, for those with higher levels of anxiety, or for those who are undergoing a longer or more complicated procedure, oral conscious sedation can help. Delivered via pill form, this sedative keeps you awake and alert, but in a deep state of relaxation, so you can feel calm and comfortable during anything from routine to restorative care.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Unlike other methods of dental sedation, oral conscious sedation has the benefits of not requiring needles or a mask to work. Although it can be prescribed for pediatric patients, it is typically recommended for adults who are nervous, anxious, fearful, or have a strong gag reflex that could make dental treatment uncomfortable.
Typically, your dentist will prescribe one small pill that you’ll take either when you arrive at the office, or just before your appointment. In most cases, this will be in the form of Ativan, Valium or Halcyon. The effects are long lasting, and usually take about 15 minutes to begin working, depending on the medication.
Please be aware that you will need a ride home with a trusted friend or family member after receiving oral conscious sedation (no cabs or rideshares).
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
The effects of oral conscious sedation will linger throughout the entire dental appointment, so be sure to have someone you trust drop you off and pick you up after your treatment is complete. Once the effects begin, you will feel a deep sense of relaxation and calm. In fact, many patients don’t even remember their appointment after their medication has worn off, which can be a benefit to some.
During your treatment, your dental team will continue to monitor your vitals to ensure your safety. You will still be conscious, so you can easily respond to instructions while remaining in a relaxed state.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is an excellent choice for any patient who:
- Suffers from dental fear, anxiety or nervousness.
- Regularly cancels or reschedules dental appointments because they’re afraid of receiving bad news.
- Has a sensitive gag reflex.
- Is receiving multiple treatments or one longer treatment at one appointment.
- Struggles to keep their mouth open or sitting comfortably in the dental chair.
- Has difficulty getting numb with local anesthesia.
- Has had bad dental experiences or dental trauma in the past.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide has been used for decades and has helped countless patients get the dental care they need without anxiety, worry, or fear. If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard of it before, it’s likely because you’ve heard it referred to by its nickname: laughing gas. If you are interested in learning more about it, including how it works and how long the effects last, read on or give a friendly member of our team a call.
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Dental nitrous oxide in Hamden combines nitrous and oxygen to create a calming sedative that is gently inhaled throughout dental treatments. It’s a great option for patients who:
- Need extensive care, like a root canal
- Struggle with a fear of needles
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Experience head/neck/jaw pain in the treatment chair
- Suffer with mild to moderate dental anxiety
If you think you’d benefit from sedation dentistry, then don’t hesitate to get in touch! From there, we can review your medical and dental history, learn about any allergies you have, and determine if you’re a good candidate.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Nitrous oxide is administered through a nasal mask, which we will position comfortably in place once you settle into the treatment chair. Within a matter of minutes, you’ll feel a calming sensation wash over you, alleviating any anxiety, worry, or stress in the process. Throughout your treatment, we’ll check in with you to make sure you’re doing okay. One of the many perks of nitrous oxide is that we can adjust the flow as needed throughout your visit, ensuring you have the calm and positive experience you deserve.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Once treatment is complete, we remove the mask and give you a chance to breathe in regular air. Almost immediately, the effects of the sedative dissipate. As a result, you don’t need to take the rest of the day off work or arrange for someone to drive you home from your visit. Instead, you can continue your day without interruption! Just make sure to abide by any aftercare instructions we provide you with pertaining to the treatment you received, like rinsing with warm saltwater periodically or sticking to a soft foods diet.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is dental sedation safe?
Dental sedation is considered safe for most patients, as long as it’s provided by a qualified practitioner, such as one of our providers in Hamden. Nitrous oxide (also referred to as laughing gas) is generally considered the safest for the largest number of people, but though many can also receive oral conscious medication without experiencing any adverse effects.
Before approving your sedation, our team will update your medical history and examine your mouth to avoid doing or providing anything that might negatively impact your general health. We’ll also closely monitor your condition throughout your procedure to ensure your vitals remain within their recommended ranges.
What does it feel like to be sedated at the dentist?
Dental sedation can be a simple and effective way to help you get through everything from routine appointments to more complex procedures, but you might avoid this service if you’re unsure what to expect. But the experience can depend significantly on your unique body chemistry and the type of medication you receive.
For instance, most people report feeling a lightweight or tingling sensation with nitrous oxide. You might also get a bad case of the giggles, which is likely where this option earned its nickname, ‘laughing gas’. It helps reduce your body’s ability to respond to external stimuli to help you feel calm and comfortable.
Oral conscious sedation typically induces a deeper sense of relaxation, and though it’s not intended to ‘knock you out’, you might feel so at ease that you doze off during your treatment. This tends to linger longer in the system, so we might recommend having someone drive you home after your visit.
Will I remember anything with dental sedation?
Our team provides options for sedation that are not meant to function like a truth serum or ‘put you to sleep’. Instead, they’re designed to help soothe your system while allowing you to remain aware enough to respond to our questions and directions.
However, the medication can induce a temporary amnesia effect that makes it difficult to remember the specifics of your procedure after the fact. Many anxious patients consider this another valuable benefit of undergoing dental sedation.
Does insurance cover dental sedation?
Most insurance policies consider this service to a luxury rather than a necessity and so they don’t cover the cost. But there may be exceptions, such as when a patient has a medical condition, such as cerebral palsy or Parkinsons’, which can make it difficult to receive dental care without being sedated.
But every plan is different so it’s worth checking your policy to verify your information. If you’re concerned about the cost, you might also benefit from a flexible financing package through CareCredit. If your application is approved, you can divide your total invoice into more manageable installments that are paid over a designated period.
