Sedation Dentistry – Mineola, NY

Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide can be a good choice if:

• You are anxious about visiting the dentist.
• You tend to be uncomfortable with needles.
• You often have trouble getting dental work done due to a strong gag reflex.
• You are unable to fully control your movements, meaning you often can’t sit still.
• You are unable to fully control your movements, meaning you often can’t sit still.

On the other hand, you might not be an ideal candidate for nitrous oxide if:

• You are pregnant.
• You have congested sinuses.
• You have a respiratory disease of some kind.
• You are currently taking certain medications

To know for sure if nitrous oxide is a good fit for you, we will need to take a look at your medical history and consider your current needs. Please let us know if you have any concerns about nitrous oxide; we won’t move forward with the treatment until you feel like you’re properly informed about what to expect.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?

Typically, the only preparation you’ll need to make for nitrous oxide sedation is to avoid eating anything too heavy before your appointment. Otherwise, all you need to do is come to our office and make yourself comfortable in our treatment chair. Our team will fit a small mask over your nose before turning on the machine that releases the nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen.

Nitrous oxide can make you feel very relaxed and happy. It does not, however, put you to sleep. As such, we can still ask questions or give you instructions if we need to. Our team may increase or decrease the level of sedation depending on your needs during your treatment.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide

Naturally, any aftercare instructions you receive after your dental appointment will depend on what kind of treatment was performed. With that said, there generally isn’t anything you need to do to recover after nitrous oxide sedation. The effects will wear off within minutes, so it will typically be safe for you to drive on your own afterward. You’ll also be able to return to work, run any necessary errands, and generally carry on with the rest of your day as normal.

What is IV Sedation?

Put simply, IV sedation is the most potent sedation dentistry available. It intravenously administers a sedative into your bloodstream. As a result, its effects tend to “kick in” rather quickly.

Compared to nitrous oxide, IV sedation promotes a far deeper relaxation. (This effect stems from its use of either Midazolam or Diazepam.) Still, it normally won’t put you to sleep; you should stay conscious throughout the procedure. That said, you likely won’t remember the treatment and may feel as if you were unconscious. (Some patients thus call this service “twilight sedation.”)

Of course, you can rest assured that IV sedation is safe. Our dental team members will monitor your vitals while you’re sedated. (That way, we can ensure you remain stable.) Also, the sedative won’t leave any harmful side effects. You’ll just feel slightly dizzy for a day, so have a friend or family member pick you up from the appointment.

Who is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?

Due to its potency, IV sedation is best reserved for patients with severe phobias or a need for extended care. However, there are other factors you could consider.

For example, one such element is patient sensitivity. You could greatly benefit from IV work if you have an overactive gag reflex. While sedated, your throat muscles would relax enough for the dentist to proceed with care.

Alternatively, those not easily numbed may find IV sedation helpful. The latter can prove effective for a patient who needs pain relief but isn’t affected by typical anesthetics.

Still, you should get a dental consultation to confirm your candidacy. Doing so lets our dentists review your medical history. Once they have, they’ll ensure you aren’t allergic to the medication and that IV sedation is safe for you.

The Benefits of IV Sedation

Compared to nitrous oxide, IV sedation has many unique perks. These include the following:

• Deep Relaxation – The calm produced by IV sedation is fairly intense. In fact, it’s so deep that it prevents patients from developing more traumatizing dental memories.
• Fast Action –  Since IV sedation is administered directly into the bloodstream, it quickly takes effect.
• Controlled Flow – A dentist and their team can control IV sedation’s medication flow. For that reason, the sedative level can be adjusted throughout treatment.
• Improved Oral Health – By treating overwhelming fear or anxiety, IV sedation can improve the oral health of those who’d otherwise skip dental visits.