Sedation Dentistry – Midland, TX
We Keep You Calm During Your Appointments
For millions of Americans today, getting even the simplest form of dental treatment can feel like an impossible task. Thankfully, if you suffer from anxiety or dental phobia, there is a solution available for you to make even the most complex treatments possible. With sedation dentistry in Midland, TX, you can get the care you need and stay calm every step of the way. To learn more about how the process works and what you can expect from sedation dentistry, give our dental office a call!
Why Choose Laura Philipps, DMD for Sedation Dentistry?
- Nitrous Oxide Ensures Fast-Acting Relief
- Oral Conscious Sedation Available for Higher Levels of Anxiety
- Caring, Friendly and Communicative Dentist and Team
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
The mildest form of sedation available is nitrous oxide sedation. Commonly referred to as “laughing gas,” this calming solution can help patients who struggle with anxiety, stress, and worry get the dental care they need without any of the negative emotions. Sound like something you’re interested in learning more about? Then schedule a consultation at our Midland dental office or read on!
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is a great option for patients who:
- Struggle with dental-related anxiety
- Experience head/neck/jaw pain in the treatment chair
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Need extensive dental work
- Have a disability that makes it difficult to sit still
At your consultation, we will review your medical and dental history to ensure you’re a good candidate. If you’re not because you’re pregnant, you have asthma, or you’re allergic, don’t worry – we will find another way to give you the calm, positive experience you deserve at our office.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Nitrous oxide will be administered after you settle into the treatment chair. One of our helpful and friendly team members will position the nasal mask in place and ask you to breathe in through your nose. Then, they will begin the flow of the colorless, odorless gas. Within a matter of minutes, you’ll feel the effects set in, causing you to feel relaxed, at-ease, and anxiety-free.
One of the many benefits of nitrous oxide is that it’s monitored by our team members and can be adjusted as needed to ensure your comfort. Plus, you won’t be asleep, so you can easily respond to the cues we give you and ask any questions you have throughout the treatment process.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Once your treatment is complete, we’ll remove the nasal mask, allowing you to breathe in pure oxygen again. Within a matter of minutes, the effects will disappear. Not only does this mean that you won’t have to deal with lingering grogginess and drowsiness, but it also means that you can drive yourself home from your appointment and resume your usual routine!
Oral Conscious Dental Sedation
Unlike nitrous oxide, which is a gas, oral conscious sedation is administered orally with a pill. This safe and effective sedation dentistry method allows you to remain awake but deeply calm, making even the most involved procedures feel manageable. Whether you have severe dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or just want a stress-free experience, oral sedation could be a great fit for you. Read more below to see how this powerful tool can help you get the care you need.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is a type of mild to moderate sedation that helps reduce anxiety during dental visits. It involves taking a prescribed pill before coming to your appointment. This medication (usually a benzodiazepine like Valium, Ativan, or Halcion) helps you feel deeply relaxed while staying awake and responsive. The effects generally begin around 15 minutes after ingestion and will last through your entire appointment and even beyond in many cases.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
The process starts with a consultation at our Midland office. Our team will evaluate your health history and discuss your needs. If you’re a good candidate, you’ll be prescribed a sedative pill to take about an hour before your dental procedure.
Because the medication affects coordination and awareness, you’ll need a trusted friend or family member to take you to and from your appointment. You’ll arrive at the office feeling very relaxed and remain awake, but calm and possibly a little drowsy. Many times, patients won’t even remember their appointments after the medication wears off!
During your procedure, our team will monitor your vital signs the entire time to ensure your safety. Our goal is to provide a smooth, anxiety-free experience from start to finish.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is ideal for patients who:
- Have moderate to severe dental anxiety
- Often cancel appointments because of nervousness
- Need extensive dental work in one visit
- Struggle with a strong gag reflex or sensitive teeth
- Have trouble keeping their mouth open for long periods of time
- Are resistant to local anesthesia
At our Midland dental office, we’ll review your medical history and current medications to make sure oral sedation is a safe option for you. If you're ready to take the stress out of your dental care, schedule your consultation, and we’ll talk about whether this option is right for you!
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Many patients who experience anxiety around dental visits avoid these medications because they worry they’re unsafe. However, these options are generally considered safe for most people when administered by a qualified professional, such as one of our providers in Midland.
With that said, our team will need to update your medical history and list any current prescriptions before implementing dental sedation to avoid doing anything that might negatively affect your general well-being. We’ll also monitor your vitals throughout your procedure to ensure everything remains within healthy ranges.
What Does Dental Sedation Feel Like?
Are you curious what sorts of sensations to expect under dental sedation? The answer can depend on your unique circumstances, like the type of medication you receive. Our team offers nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral conscious sedation, which is taken as a pill.
Laughing gas is inhaled through a mask placed over your nose and almost immediately produces a sense of relaxation or even euphoria. Some patients also experience tingling in their limbs or develop a case of the giggles, which may be where it got its name. Oral conscious sedation typically induces a more profound sense of calm, and although the drug isn’t intended to ‘knock you out’, you might feel so comfortable that you accidentally doze off.
Will I Remember My Procedure After Sedation?
The sedatives our team offers aren’t designed to render you unconscious but are intended to help you remain relaxed while aware enough to respond to our provider’s directions or questions during your visit. However, they often cause a short-term amnesia effect, making it difficult to remember the specifics of your procedure after they leave your system.
Many patients with dental anxiety consider this temporary memory loss to be yet another advantage of undergoing sedation.
Does Insurance Usually Cover Dental Sedation?
Dental insurance can often help reduce out-of-pocket expenses for required services, but unfortunately, it tends to categorize sedation as a ‘luxury’ that isn’t necessary for your dental well-being. As a result, most plans don’t cover the cost of these medications.
However, our team in Midland believes that everyone deserves access to this service if they need it, and we don’t want your financial situation to get in the way. If you’re concerned you won’t be able to afford dental sedation, you might benefit from a flexible payment package through CareCredit. If your application is approved, you can divide the total cost for your visit into more manageable installments over a designated period.