Sedation Dentistry - Dental Anxiety Relief

Whether dental anxiety keeps you from getting the care you need or long appointments make treatment feel daunting, sedation dentistry can help.

Sedation dentistry offers safe, effective relaxation solutions for patients with dental fear and phobias. We offer a range of sedatives that help you become deeply relaxed during your appointment, but you will remain conscious and able to respond.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Oral conscious sedation is a form of sedation dentistry Raleigh NC that uses pills to help you relax during your dental procedure. It can range from minimal to moderate sedation, and it's usually prescribed about an hour before your appointment so the effects kick in at the right time. It works by decreasing activity in the portion of your brain that controls fear and anxiety, so you'll feel relaxed but still awake.

It's not designed to put you to sleep, but it can make you groggy and slow-moving, so you'll need someone to drive you to and from your dental appointment. This medication can also interfere with your ability to breathe normally and maintain protective reflexes, so it's important that you don't attempt to drive while taking it. It's also not recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is an inhaled minimal sedative that we use to help our patients relax. It is administered through a mask placed over the nose, and it helps the patient feel very relaxed during their visit. The effects of this type of sedation wear off quickly, so patients are able to drive themselves home after their appointment.

This colorless, sweet-smelling gas has been used as an anaesthetic since 1844 and is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines. It is often combined with other volatile inhalation agents during induction because it has a lower solubility in different tissues, resulting in quicker anaesthetic potency.

RCCD has been an accredited provider of sedation dentistry in Raleigh since 2009. Our practice has dedicated itself to helping our patients relax, both physically and mentally. This is why our patients from all over the state of North Carolina travel to us for comprehensive dental care and beautiful smiles.

IV Sedation

For the most serious dental anxiety patients, sedation dentistry Raleigh NC is available. This method of conscious sedation is very quick and produces more pronounced effects than oral sedatives. It is usually administered by a trained anaesthetist or a dentist who has completed a course in intravenous sedation. This involves a needle being inserted into the vein, usually in the arm or hand. It may range from minimal sedation (relaxed and awake but slightly sleepy) to deep sedation where the patient is near unconscious but can be easily revived.

Unlike general anesthesia, patients under this form of sedation breathe on their own and respond to verbal commands from the dentist. However, it is important to avoid drinking water prior to the procedure as this could cause aspiration and delay recovery. Patients under this type of sedation are often advised to take it easy after the treatment and to rest at home. They are usually permitted to drink liquids, but not solid foods, until the sedation has worn off.

General Anesthesia

While there are risks associated with general anesthesia, they are rare. Modern technology and safety standards make it very safe.

Typically, you will receive general anesthesia before an operation that requires a large amount of work, such as heart surgery. It is also used for lifesaving procedures like transplants and cancer treatments.

The medications used in general anesthesia are administered through IV lines and breathing gases delivered by a mask, so you will be fully unconscious. A trained anesthesiologist will monitor your vital signs.

You may be given sedatives to prevent vomiting, as well as muscle relaxants to keep your airway open. This reduces the chance of a collapsed lung (atelectasis) or nerve damage. You will have an electrocardiogram and pulse oximetry to help detect problems with your heart rate and blood pressure, as well as to check oxygen levels in the blood. The risk of side effects from general anesthesia depends on the person, and is related to the type and extent of surgery.