It is estimated that 3 out of every 10 American adults avoid the dentist because of fear and anxiety. Dental phobia can be a serious condition that prevents people from getting the dental care they need. Valley Dental Health offers sedation dentistry in Hunt Valley, MD, to help patients feel relaxed and comfortable during treatment.
We offer several types of sedation techniques for patients who have dental anxiety or need complex dental treatment. We’re also one of the few dental offices to offer IV sedation in this area.
In Maryland, IV sedation is only available through specially trained oral surgeons and dentists. Dr. Roham Rafat is certified in Maryland to administer IV sedation to patients at our Cockeysville dental office. We use dental sedation to provide general dental care services with minimal pain and discomfort.
The Benefits Of Sedation Dentistry
During most dental procedures, dentists will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth. Essentially, it is an injection that blocks the pain signals to the pain. While it works very well to prevent patients from feeling pain, it does not help with anxiety, fear, and other things that prevent patients from seeking the dental care they need.
Sedation dentistry provides more of an all-over euphoric effect. This helps to control pain levels in the treatment area and calm the anxiety and fear that some patients associate with going to the dentist or receiving dental treatments. It offers many benefits. Dental sedation also allows our dentist to perform more treatments during a single visit. You’ll feel very relaxed and cooperative, making it easier for us to complete procedures quickly and efficiently.
Sedation dentistry can also be used for patients who have a low pain tolerance, a strong gag reflex, or difficulty sitting still for long periods of time. Anyone who can benefit from remaining calm and relaxed during their dentist appointment should consider a sedation method. Its been proven to increase patients’ comfort levels and reduce anxiety.
Patient Review
Types Of Dental Sedation
Valley Dental Health offers several options for sedation dentistry in Hunt Valley, MD. The type you need will depend on your needs and the procedure being performed. We offer the most common types of sedation dentistry.
Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry
Oral sedation is a common sedation dentistry technique for patients with dental anxiety. When given as a pill, patients stay awake but relaxed, which helps the dentist perform treatment. You can also respond to basic commands. However, you will be in a very deep state of relaxation. Some patients fall asleep because they feel so calm.
Most patients report no memory of the procedure and feel as though they “slept” through treatment despite being awake and conscious throughout the procedure for safety and cooperation.
We’ll prescribe a medication that you will take about an hour before your appointment. Because of this, you will need to make sure you have someone drive you to and from the appointment. These oral medications will impair your ability to drive.
Nitrous Oxide, Or Laughing Gas
Nitrous oxide has been used for many years in dentistry. The patient inhales it through a special mask that sits by the nose. The gas simply puts the patient in a deep state of relaxation. You’ll stay fully awake and cooperative during treatment. Nitrous oxide is the safest and helpful methods in sedation dentistry.
Laughing gas is only effective while you wear the mask. Once we place the mask on your face, you will begin to feel very relaxed, almost like your body is going numb. But most people remain awake during treatment and can move and talk normally.
Once we are done, we will remove the mask, and the sedative effects will cease right away. You can go back to your normal routine.
IV Sedation Dentistry
We are among the few dentists in Hunt Valley who provide IV sedation dentistry. This method involves giving medication directly into the bloodstream for precise and closely monitored sedation.
The primary benefit of IV sedation dentistry is that patients can feel immediately relaxed. Your Valley Dental Health team can perform multiple treatments at once while you’re relaxed and calm. The effects will last so you’ll need to plan a ride home.
Oraverse®
We also offer Oraverse®, a special medication that helps reverse the effects of dental anesthesia. After some dental treatments, your mouth may feel numb for several hours. It can make it hard to talk, eat, or smile comfortably. Oraverse® speeds up the return of normal feeling in your lips, cheeks, and tongue.
We give Oraverse® as a quick injection after your procedure. It helps reduce common side effects like drooling, slurred speech, or accidentally biting your cheek or tongue.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Do you want to learn more? Read through our FAQs section to see if your question is addressed there. If not, please feel free to reach out to our office. We can answer your questions.
How long does it take for dental sedation to wear off?
It may take anywhere from two to eight hours for sedation effects to wear off based on the type and amount of sedation. Oral sedation typically wears off within 2 hours. IV sedation may take up to eight hours.
Can you eat before dental sedation?
If you do eat before your procedure, we recommend a light meal. You also want to hydrate before your appointment. You may eat and drink up to two hours before your appointment, but you must fast after this point so the sedation can take full effect.
Are you awake during dental sedation?
Dental sedation isn’t like general anesthesia. You’ll stay awake, but will feel very calm and at ease. You shouldn’t feel any pain while under dental sedation. You’ll remain conscious but may struggle communicating with your dentist.
What should you not do before sedation?
We recommend that you avoid drinking and smoking for at least 24 hours before the appointment. You also want to remove all jewelry and wear loose, comfortable clothing.
If you are a diabetic, we ask that you check your blood sugar the day of your procedure. Please report the results back to us before we begin.
Do you feel pain with oral sedation?
No. You should not feel pain while under oral sedation. If you do, let us know. We have certified and experienced dentists who will make sure you’re fully comfortable.
Do you remember anything after sedation?
You may not remember what happened during your dental procedure based on the type of sedation. If you get laughing gas, you’ll stay awake and aware, but you’ll feel calm and comfortable. Once the gas wears off, most people remember their visit. But with stronger forms of sedation, like oral or IV sedation, you may have little or no memory of the procedure afterward.
Get Comfortable Dental Treatment Today
Are you ready to get back to better oral health? Give us a call at 443-733-6613 to get sleep dentistry. You can also request an appointment online. We welcome new patients from Hunt Valley, Lutherville, Cockeysville, Baltimore, Timonium, Sparks, Phoenix, and nearby areas.