Sedation Dentistry
Sleep & Sedation Dentistry in Ottawa
Do you suffer from dental anxiety? Nervous patients can relax at Skyline Dental Associates with our sedation dentistry services. Sedation Dentistry can help with numerous treatments and procedures to ensure our patients feel calm and comfortable during their visit.
Sedation or sleep dentistry is a wonderful choice for patients who suffer from dental anxiety and are nervous about their dental treatments. It involves the use of a sedative medication to help you feel more relaxed and calm during your visit.
Sedation Dentistry Options
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
Nitrous oxide (N2O), also known as laughing gas. This sedative gas is mixed with oxygen and inhaled during your treatment to help you feel more relaxed. Nitrous oxide is a mild form of sedation that wears off within just a few minutes after we stop the flow of gas. With this type of sedation dentistry, you will be able to get home no problem, and feel back to your normal self immediately.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation involves taking an oral medication before your treatment. By the time of your appointment, you will feel calm and at ease. You will need to be prescribed the medication for this type of sedation dentistry. Oral sedation can be a bit more powerful than Nitrous Oxide. We recommend you don’t operate a vehicle after find someone to drive you home after your appointment and refrain from doing any strainuous activities until the medication wears off.
IV Sedation
IV sedation, which involves administering sedative medication intravenously (through the veins). This method of delivery enables our dentist to provide the sedation more quickly, as well as easily control the level of sedation to ensure that you stay comfortable. IV sedation is a form of conscious sedation, meaning that it will not make you unconscious, but you may feel so relaxed that you fall asleep during your treatment. You may also not remember all of the details of your visit.
The Benefits Of Sedation Dentistry
Anxiety Relief
One of the biggest benefits of sedation is providing relief for dental anxiety. Even the most nervous patients can go through their dental treatments without discomfort. No more reasons to avoid seeing your dentist!Pain Relief
Do you put off your dental cleanings because of the pain? Everybody wants to have pain free dental check-ups and treatments. With sedation dentistry, the pain is completely gone! Sedatives and anesthetics inhibit the brains ability to register pain. Make sure your current dental issues don’t worsen by avoiding the dentist. Give us a call and book your sedation dentist appointment today.
Faster Treatment
When a patient is still and cooperative, the dental procedure can be performed much more efficiently. Dentists can work quickly and get you in and out of the office in no time.
Fewer Appointments
Sedation or sleep dentistry allows our dentists to perform more treatments within fewer appointments. Because you are calm and relaxed, dentists are able to work more efficiently – potentially reducing the need for a more visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
The effects of dental sedation can differ from person to person, and also depends on the type of sedation used. With the types of dental sedation we use at Skyline Dental Associates, patients will most commonly experience a sense of relaxation, and some drowsiness. They may also feel a tingling sensation in their body, especially in their arms, legs, hands and feet. Any stress, anxiety, or negative emotions that the patient may be experiencing will disappear once the sedative begins to take effect.
This depends on the type of sedation that you receive during your visit. Nitrous oxide begins to wear off within minutes of stopping its use. It’s relatively safe to walk home after receiving this type of sedation. However, we require having someone drive you home after receiving any other form of sedation, especially oral or IV sedation.
Of course! We want you to be as comfortable as possible when you’re in our care. If you have feelings of fear or anxiety about a procedure, or have a very low tolerance to pain, or have a very strong gag reflex, then don’t be afraid to ask for a sedative. Keep in mind that not all patients are good candidates for sedation dentistry, so we will have to review your medical history first to determine if it is a safe and viable option for you.
There are a few factors that can make a patient unfit to receive dental sedation including:
- Obesity and Sleep Apnea
- Uncontrolled Diabetes
- Drug Allergies
- Pregnancy
- Drug & Alcohol Use Prior To A Procedure
When considering whether someone can use dental sedation, and the type that they can use, it is important to discuss your medical history with our dentists to ensure that you can be safely sedated.
This will depend on the sedative medication that is used, and the dosage. As a rule of thumb, if you are receiving any type of sedation, even nitrous oxide, then you should allow a full 24 hours for the sedative to fully wear off. During this time, do not drive, operate heavy machinery or do any form of strenuous activity.