Many people have an innate fear of dental procedures. Often, these people have had bad experiences ranging from pain to poor handling. There are several forms of sedation dentistry available to help ease a patient’s stress and make the entire dental experience more pleasant.

Our Los Angeles cosmetic dentist can help you choose from several sedation options and find the method that best meets your needs. Discussing your particular concerns and fears with a dentist will help you understand the benefits and drawbacks of each form of sedation.

Sedation dentistry relies upon some form of anesthetic to relieve pain and stress. One type of sedation is oral medication, or “the pill.” A mild sedative is given in pill form, and the patient receives a feeling of relaxation after the drug begins to work. The advantage to oral sedation is that it is the mildest form of sedation and well-tolerated by almost everyone. The drawback is that it is the weakest form of sedation, and may not relieve all pain, stress, and anxiety. Oral sedation may not be appropriate for some procedures, as well.

Another form of sedation dentistry is nitrous oxide. Commonly called “laughing gas,” this inhaled sedative is very effective and often gives patients a feeling of euphoria. Unfortunately, nitrous oxide can cause reactions in some patients which include nausea or feelings of dizziness. It is also necessary for you to have someone to drive you home after receiving this form of sedation.

The final option for sedation dentistry is intravenous, or IV, sedation. This is the most effective form of sedation, and also the one with the longest-lasting effectives. While IV sedation can be controlled to keep you conscious throughout the procedure, it is sometimes better to keep the patient “under” to completely relieve pain or fear. If you are sedated by IV, you will probably have some lingering side effects for several hours. It is a good idea to have someone with you to drive you home after IV sedation.

Our Los Angeles dentist is ready to discuss all your sedation options with you and to help you choose the right method for your dental procedure.