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Sedation Dentistry – Plano, TX

Overcome Your Dental Anxiety with Sedation Dentistry

Woman relaxing after sedation dentistry in Plano

Does the sheer thought of visiting the dentist cause a wave of panic to come over your body? You’re not alone. In fact, almost 60% of patients struggle with mild to severe dental-related anxiety. Thankfully, our sedation dentist at Antoon Family Dental can provide you with a relaxing experience with one of our safe and reliable dental sedation options. We can help you overcome your dental anxiety with choices like nitrous oxide sedation, oral conscious sedation, or IV dental sedation. Whether you need a simple cleaning or a more complex treatment, contact our office so we can help you get the dental care you need stress-free!

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Woman relaxing with nitrous oxide dental sedation in Plano

Nitrous oxide (commonly referred to as laughing gas) is an inhaled sedative that is delivered through a mask piece that is placed over the nose. The mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen forms an odorless gas that allows patients to remain conscious in a deep state of relaxation. Your limbs may feel heavy or slightly tingly, but overall you will remain comfortable for a peaceful, pain-free experience. Throughout your time in the treatment chair, you’ll be able to respond to questions and communicate as needed. However, the calming effects may also cause you to doze off. Our team will be able to easily wake you and once the sedative is stopped the effects dissipate nearly instantaneously. So, you will be able to drive yourself home or go back to work right after your treatment if needed!

What Is Recovery Like?

Candidate for nitrous oxide dental sedation in Plano giving thumbs up

Since nitrous oxide does not have any lingering side effects, there isn’t a “hangover” outcome like other sedatives. Instead, you will be able to recover nearly instantaneously. However, Dr. Antoon will provide you with follow-up instructions specific to your treatment, which may include when you can take pain medication, food restrictions, and how to keep your mouth infection-free. As always, our team will make sure to review the paperwork with you and answer any and all questions you have before you leave.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Closeup of woman holding oral conscious dental sedation in Plano

Do you begin to feel nervous about your appointment long before you arrive? Have you ever cancelled or postponed a visit out of anxiety? Then oral conscious sedation may be for you. This type of sedation is administered via a pill or liquid and begins to take effect before you arrive at our office. You’ll feel drowsy and aren’t likely to remember anything about your appointment afterwards, but nonetheless you’ll remain conscious throughout your treatment. Oral conscious sedation will take several hours to wear off, so you’ll need a friend or family member to drive you home.

What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?

man preparing for oral conscious sedation in Plano

This is a popular form of sedation dentistry that can effectively calm your nerves in preparation for a dental appointment. By taking an oral sedative, you’ll be able to reach a deeper level of relaxation compared to nitrous oxide (laughing gas) while not as powerful as IV sedation or a local anesthetic. Before your visit, you’ll be instructed to take a prescribed pill by mouth. The calming effects should appear over time as you make your way to our office. By the time you arrive, you can expect to feel in a dream-like condition. While you might feel drowsy and relaxed, you’ll also remain conscious enough to move, answer basic questions, and respond to your dentist’s commands.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

patient talking to dentist about oral conscious sedation in Plano

Oral conscious sedation is typically associated with being “zoned-out” along with having a tingling sensation in the limbs. The treatment might even have an amnesiac impact, as you probably won’t be able to recall any details about your appointment. Some patients feel so comfortable that they fall asleep while our team provides their dental treatment. The effects are gentle, however, as a simple nudge is sufficient to wake them up.

This sedation therapy is generally used for lengthier or more complex procedures, and our professional team will monitor you closely to make sure you’re comfortable and safe. After we’ve completed your treatment, you’ll likely continue to feel groggy. For this reason, you’ll need to have some drive you to and from your visit. The effects may take several hours to wear off, so be sure to take the time to get plenty of rest.

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

man smiling and ready for oral conscious sedation in Plano

The only way to be certain that oral conscious sedation is a good option for you is by scheduling a consultation with us. We’ll discuss your goals and concerns as well as review your medical history to determine if this type of dentistry is an effective method for you. Many healthy patients can be good candidates for oral conscious sedation, but only if they don’t have respiratory illnesses, aren’t breastfeeding, or have certain other medical issues. We generally recommend this treatment to patients who:

  • Experience mild to moderate dental fear or anxiety
  • Are afraid of masks or needles
  • Often postpone or cancel appointments out of fear
  • Are preparing for a lengthy visit or complex procedure

IV Dental Sedation

Man relaxing with IV dental sedation in Plano

Are you anxious just thinking about going to the dentist? According to researchers, anywhere between 50 and 80% of adults in the United States have some degree of dental anxiety. In fact, more than 20% of anxious patients don’t see their dentist on a regular basis. That’s why at Antoon Family Dental, we offer IV Sedation to help patients get the essential dental care they need despite having severe dental anxiety.

IV sedation is the most powerful form of sedation dentistry. As its name suggests, this option delivers the sedative directly to your bloodstream through a small needle on your arm or the back of your hand. Right away you’ll fall into a dreamlike state of relaxation, and will remain calm and comfortable as we work. We’ll monitor you closely and will be able to adjust your level of sedation at any time if necessary. You’ll still feel very groggy after your appointment, and once a friend or family member drives you home, you should plan on resting for the remainder of the day.

What Is IV Sedation?

IV sedation in Plano

IV Sedation is a sedation method that is administered intravenously, or directly into the bloodstream. This allows for the effects to kick in more quickly than other forms of sedation. During this process, the patient remains conscious, but they don’t usually remember anything during the procedure. This is because the patient is in a deep state of relaxation – even more so than Nitrous Oxide Sedation and Oral Conscious Sedation. We monitor the patient’s vitals the entire time. Because the effects can take up to an entire day for the effects to wear off, it is important that a trusted friend or family member drops off and picks up the patient from their appointment.

Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?

Woman with dental anxiety in Plano

IV Sedation is most commonly used in oral surgeries and long procedures. It can help to lessen high levels of anxiety and phobias associated with the dentist. Additionally, patients who have overactive gag reflexes, TMJ dysfunction, or other neuromuscular issues that might make it difficult to keep their mouth open for a long period of time can often benefit from IV Sedation. Before your treatment, Dr. Antoon will take the time to talk to you about your anxiety level, medical history, health history, and any medications you are taking to determine if IV Sedation is an ideal solution to meet your needs.

The Benefits of IV Sedation

Woman at dentist in Plano

There are all sorts of benefits that patients can experience when they opt for IV sedation. Here are just some of them:

  • The deep state of relaxation that IV Sedation provides helps to prevent additional stress-related negative dental memories that can keep patients from coming to the dentist.
  • The effects take place quickly because it is administered directly into the bloodstream.
  • The dental team controls the flow of medication throughout the treatment, so patients receive a constant state of relaxation.
  • Allows for patients to improve their dental health despite having dental anxiety.

Is Sedation Dentistry Right for Me?

patient and dentist discussing who should get sedation dentistry in Plano

Dental anxiety is real, and millions of people in the United States reschedule and/or cancel their dental appointments because of it. This unfortunate problem causes individuals to forgo regular oral healthcare, resulting in more serious problems that lead to restorative or emergency treatment in an attempt to save a person’s natural teeth. At Antoon Family Dental, we believe in providing solutions that mitigate the fear and anxiety and instead, offer a safe and successful experience for both patients and staff.

If you are anxious or nervous about your upcoming visit, then you may be a candidate for nitrous oxide. Typically, it is recommended for patients who:

  • Experience dental-related fears or anxieties.
  • Have a strong gag reflex.
  • Have very sensitive teeth.
  • Get neck, back, or jaw pain.
  • Are undergoing a long or complex treatment.
  • Don’t respond well to numbing medication.

However, certain situations may disqualify you from being a candidate from sedation dentistry, such as having elevated blood pressure, being pregnant, and having certain medical conditions.

Are you ready to leave anxiety-inducing trips to the dentist in the past? Then contact our office and ask our team about dental technology and comforts at Antoon Family Dental!

Sedation Dentistry FAQs

man with orange question mark wondering about sedation dentistry in Plano

Are you ready to overcome your dental anxiety with sedation dentistry in Plano? It’s only natural to have a few questions before you’re ready to pursue dental sedation. We want you to have all the information you need to make a confident and well-informed decision, which is why we’ve gathered some of the most common questions we get about sedation dentistry below. If you don’t see the answers you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to  give us a call  and we’ll be happy to help.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

When administered by a highly experienced dentist like Dr. Antoon, sedation dentistry is incredibly safe. Dr. Antoon has been providing gentle and stress-free dentistry since 1990 and regularly completes continuing education to stay current with the latest breakthroughs in dentistry. He has helped countless patients get the important oral healthcare they need in a relaxing and comfortable setting thanks to sedation dentistry. No matter what form of dental sedation is right for you, our team will carefully monitor you throughout your entire treatment to ensure you are as safe as possible.

Does Sedation Dentistry Put You to Sleep?

Sedation dentistry doesn’t put patients to sleep or make them unconscious, which makes it a safer option. However, this surprises many patients once they’ve completed their treatment. Dental sedation will make you feel completely oblivious to the sensations that would typically cause you distress, and most patients will experience an amnesiac effect wherein they won’t remember anything about their time with sedation. You’ll remain conscious enough to follow simple instructions while using sedation dentistry, but you’ll feel as if you’re in a dream-like state.

What Does Being Sedated at the Dentist Feel Like?

What dental sedation feels like will vary from patient to patient. That being said, there are various feelings you can expect from each type of option. Nitrous oxide is a light but reliable form of dental sedation. While breathing in the colorless, odorless gas, you’ll likely feel light and airy, as well as completely at ease. Alternatively, more powerful options like oral conscious sedation and IV dental sedation will cause a more pronounced feeling of grogginess and heaviness. Regardless of which type of sedation dentistry you choose to move forward with, our experienced team will watch you closely to make sure you remain comfortable and relaxed.

Is Sedation Dentistry Expensive?

How much sedation dentistry in Plano costs depends on a variety of factors, including the type you’ve chosen and the length of your procedure. We’ll be able to give you a custom estimate of how much sedation dentistry will add to the final cost of your treatment during your initial consultation. In some cases, dental insurance will provide some coverage. Alternatively, our knowledgeable front desk staff can help you explore your payment options.  

Is Sedation Dentistry Just for Patients with Dental Anxiety?

Sedation dentistry has been used to help a wide variety of patients receive the comfortable care they deserve, including patients with:

  • Very sensitive teeth or an overactive gag reflex
  • A resistance to numbing medications alone
  • Jaw, neck, back, or shoulder problems that make sitting in the examination chair uncomfortable

Will I remember anything with dental sedation?

You will technically be awake with most forms of sedation, but you probably won’t remember much of the procedure. IV sedation is more likely to make you forget your procedure than oral conscious sedation and nitrous oxide. The memory loss sedation effect can make getting dental care easier for patients with extreme anxiety or negative past dental experiences.

Will I feel any pain with dental sedation?

Sedation will keep you awake, but it suppresses your body’s ability to register pain. Depending on the procedure you are undergoing, your dentist will likely numb the area with a local anesthetic. This way, you won’t have to worry about pain at all!

Does dental sedation make you tell secrets?

Contrary to popular belief, dental sedation isn’t a “truth serum.” You are very unlikely to reveal deep secrets while sedated. Even if you did happen to say something you normally wouldn’t while under sedation, it will always be kept within the walls of the dental treatment room.

Can dental sedation make you sick?

It is quite rare to experience nausea with nitrous oxide sedation. Because oral conscious sedation is stronger than nitrous oxide, there is a slightly higher risk of nausea. To be safe, your dentist will likely recommend that you don’t eat for a few hours before your procedure. IV sedation has elevated risks of nausea due to its stronger effects. If you are prone to nausea, don’t hesitate to let your dentist know. They may be able to help.