Landmark Dental Offers Sedation Dentistry in Santa Cruz

Perhaps a dentist didn’t numb your mouth enough once when you were a kid, or maybe the sound of the drill causes the hair on your arms to rise. Whatever your fear, you can’t let it prevent you from seeing the dentist. Luckily, for patients who experience anxiety and stress about going to the dentist, there are three sedation options available.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Many people get anxious about going to the dentist. Even something as simple as a filling can cause a patient to panic and avoid seeing the dentist, which can lead to even more dental problems. While the dentists and staff at Landmark Dental will work with you so you fully understand the procedure in order to reduce anxiety, they also offer sedation dentistry options for patients who still have some reservations. Although you are awake (usually) during sedation dentistry, the sedation can create a stress- and worry-free environment so that you can keep your smile beautiful.

Option 1: Inhalational Sedation

You may not realize it, but you’ve probably heard of inhalational sedation. It’s informally known as laughing gas, but its actual name is nitrous oxide. Despite how it’s depicted on TV, nitrous oxide won’t have you laughing hysterically in the dentist’s chair. It’s simply a minimal sedation technique that’s designed to leave patients relaxed during dental procedures. It’s the most minimal form of sedation, and is only effective while the gas is being inhaled (this is because the human body doesn’t metabolize it). When the treatment is over and the dentist turns off the gas, you’ll be back to normal and will even be able to drive yourself home.

Option 2: Oral Sedation

Oral sedation is another option that can leave you care-free at the dentist. Most commonly, oral sedation comes in the form of a pill from the Valium family. You’ll need to take the pill about an hour before the procedure, so that it’s in full effect when the dental procedure begins. With oral sedation, one can expect to feel drowsy — and even fall asleep for a bit. Because the effects don’t wear off as fast as inhalation sedation, you’ll need someone to drive you home after your treatment. The effectiveness of oral sedation depends on the dosage, but it varies from minimal to moderate.

Option 3: IV Sedation

IV sedation is a form of conscious moderate sedation offered at Landmark Dental Group. With IV sedation, the dentist slowly injects medication directly into your vein until you are sedated enough. Although patients are comfortably sedated and may even remain awake during the entire procedure, they usually don’t remember much of it afterwards. Patients are able to talk and breathe on their own, but your vitals will be closely monitored during the procedure for safety. Like oral sedation, IV sedation takes time to wear off, so you’ll need a ride home from a family member or friend.

Stop avoiding the dentist because of stress or fear. When you choose Landmark Dental, you can have access to sedation services that make going to the dentist a breeze. For more information about sedation dentistry, contact Landmark Dental today by calling (831) 464-1372.