Sedation Dentistry – Carrollton, TX
How We Help You Relax
in the Dental Chair
Does the thought of seeing the dentist make you break out into a cold sweat? If so, you’re far from the only one; millions of Americans suffer from dental anxiety or fear, leaving them unable to get much-needed smile care. Dr. Anthony Dillard never wants stress to get in the way of your dental treatments. That’s why he has specialized in making dental anxiety melt away with multiple options for sedation dentistry in Carrollton, TX. To learn more about how we help you relax in the dental chair, keep reading below, or give our dental office a call!
Why Choose Anthony Dillard, DDS Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for Sedation Dentistry?
- Beautiful, Spa-Like Dental Office
- Patient Comfort Is Our Top Priority
- Kind Dentist Who Specializes in Caring for Anxious Patients
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
If you just need something small to “take the edge off,” we may recommend nitrous oxide sedation. This method involves breathing in a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a small nasal mask or cannula. Within minutes, you’ll feel much lighter and even euphoric. Throughout your procedure, we can alter the dosage of the sedative to ensure your safety and comfort. Once we’re done and you’ve stopped inhaling the gas, its effects should dissipate quickly, so you can get on with your day as normal.
Oral Conscious Dental Sedation
With oral conscious sedation, we’ll prescribe a powerful anti-anxiety medication that you’ll take before your procedure is set to begin. It will make you feel deeply relaxed and even drowsy, but you’ll most likely remain awake. This allows us to easily perform the treatments we need to without feeling uncomfortable. In fact, most patients barely remember their appointments at all. The effects of the sedative can linger for several hours, so you’ll need someone to drive you home and keep an eye on you afterward.
IV Dental Sedation
For more extensive procedures or patients with extreme dental fear, we can administer a potent sedative intravenously (IV), or directly into the bloodstream. As with nitrous oxide sedation, our team will carefully monitor your vitals at all times when you’re under IV sedation and adjust the dosage at any moment if need be. You’ll feel so at-ease that you may temporarily doze off, but you should stay awake for the most part. You might feel groggy for a few hours after your appointment, so plan on relaxing for the rest of the day.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Yes, depending on the type of sedation and the health of the patient, sleep dentistry in Carrollton is a safe, effective option for most patients.
Before Dr. Dillard selects the type of sedation to use during your treatment, rest assured that that he will carefully review your medical history, including any medications (both OTC and prescription) to ensure that there won’t be any harmful interactions.
Dr. Dillard is pleased to offer several different sedation options, depending on your needs.
Nitrous oxide: This colorless, sweet-smelling gas is ideal for patients of all ages. It has the added benefit of leaving your system quickly, so you can still drive yourself home after your appointment.
Oral conscious sedation: This is typically delivered via a pill you will pick up at your own pharmacy prior to your appointment. Dr. Dillard will check your medications and medical history before issuing your prescription to ensure your safety.
IV sedation: For IV sedation, you will remain fully conscious but groggy. This treatment is ideal for patients with severe anxiety or who will be undergoing a longer procedure. It is not recommended for patients with serious medical issues such as unstable high blood pressure, severe heart disease, and for people with certain breathing issues.
While you are under sedation, our team will always keep a close eye on your vital signs, so you’ll never need to worry about your safety while you’re here.
How long does dental sedation last?
The answer to this question depends on the type of sedation you’ve selected, as each type has its own unique abilities and effects.
With nitrous oxide, you breathe a colorless, sweet-smelling gas through a comfortable mask or tube in your nose. Once your procedure is completed, Dr. Dillard will have you breathe pure oxygen for about five minutes, after which there should no traces of nitrous oxide left in your system, and no remaining drowsiness.
The medications used for oral conscious sedation could take the rest of the day to wear off, and as a result you will need a ride to and from your dental appointment if you choose this method. Please select someone you know and trust to drive you; rideshares or cabs are not permitted.
IV sedation should wear off not long after your treatment has concluded, but you will still be required to have a ride home with a trusted friend or family member just to be safe.
Is sedation dentistry safe while pregnant?
This depends on which method of sedation and which trimester you need it, but generally speaking sedation of any kind is not encouraged during pregnancy and should be avoided or delayed until after the pregnancy is over.
Sedation of any kind is forbidden during the first trimester, because it’s possible for some of the medications used in sleep dentistry in Carrollton to be passed along to the fetus through the placenta, which can result in developmental problems.
During the second trimester is considered much safer; however, it is still not recommended and should only be used if absolutely necessary.
During the third trimester, sedation can increase the risk of premature labor and is not permitted.
Ultimately, it is recommended that pregnant patients wait until after their pregnancy has ended to undergo invasive procedures that might need sedation. If necessary during the second trimester, Dr. Murray will choose the mildest sedation option available, which is typically nitrous oxide.
Is sedation dentistry safe while breastfeeding?
Yes! Because the majority of medications used in oral conscious and IV sedation don’t typically transfer to breast milk, sleep dentistry treatment while nursing should be perfectly safe for both the mother and breastfeeding child.
Because nitrous oxide completely leaves your system within about five minutes after you stop breathing it, it is also an excellent choice for nursing parents, as it has no chance of transferring to the milk or baby once it is gone.
Will I remember anything with dental sedation?
In most cases, you’ll remember what goes on during your dental visit if you choose to be sedated with nitrous oxide, but other sleep dentistry options in Carrollton, including IV sedation and oral conscious sedation may result in what is referred to as “temporary amnesia.”
The good news is that in most cases, patients find this lack of memory a plus, not a problem! In fact, it can be extremely beneficial for patients who have severe anxiety or PTSD from previous traumatic dental treatments. Furthermore, in case you were wondering, dental sedation isn’t a truth serum, so you won’t reveal any deep dark secrets while you’re here, and even if you did, our team will protect your privacy and won’t share what you’ve discussed under sedation with anyone.