All you need to know about conscious sedation for dental treatment
Fear and anxiety are a big concern for many people visiting the dentist. Both children and adults alike can be scared of the dentist, often resulting in total avoidance, putting oral health in jeopardy.
Thankfully, modern dentistry has provided patients with ways to manage dental anxiety. At The Practice, we go above and beyond to help our patients feel comfortable and we provide options to help you feel at ease.
How does happy gas (nitrous oxide) work for dental treatment?
Happy gas (nitrous oxide) has been the most popular and trusted type of conscious sedation used in dentistry for many years. It’s administered through a mask placed over your nose, allowing you to inhale a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. When you breathe it in, nitrous oxide induces a relaxed and euphoric feeling, which helps alleviate anxiety and discomfort during dental procedures. Nitrous oxide works by slowing down your body’s stress response, making you feel more at ease.
Reduce your anxiety
Dental anxiety can be overwhelming and you may start avoiding the dentist so you don’t have to feel the fear. Some of the symptoms of dental anxiety include sweating, a racing heartbeat, palpitations, fluctuations in blood pressure, an upset stomach, crying and panic attacks.
For many patients, nitrous oxide is great for alleviating dental anxiety as it allows you to visit the dentist with a sense of calm. We administer it in a safe and controlled environment, inducing a state of relaxation while keeping you conscious and able to communicate with your dentist.
Quick working
One of the greatest benefits of nitrous oxide is its rapid onset. After we administer the happy gas, you will start to feel more relaxed immediately.
A flexible option
Our experienced South Brisbane dentists will adapt the amount of nitrous oxide administered to coincide with the length of your appointment. This ensures you are feeling relaxed regardless of the duration of your dental treatment.
Fast recovery
Another great benefit of nitrous oxide is how fast it wears off. Nitrous oxide allows you to return to work and your usual activities immediately after treatment. There’s no lingering effect that will affect your ability to drive yourself home after your appointment.
Limited side effects
For most patients, nitrous oxide has minimal side effects, which makes it a safe and effective choice to help you fight fear and anxiety during dental treatment.
Analgesic effect
Did you know that nitrous oxide also has an analgesic effect, which means it can help to relieve pain, making complex treatment more comfortable?
The Practice – our commitment to safety
At our modern West End dental practice, safety is paramount. Our dentists are experienced and trained to ensure you are safe throughout your procedure, closely monitoring your vital signs to ensure everything goes to plan.
For more tips on how you can manage dental anxiety – read our blog!
Conscious sedation for dental anxiety
Nitrous oxide is a great option to help manage dental anxiety and create a stress-free experience. It allows you to face your dental treatment head-on and no longer be held back by fear.
At The Practice, we assess every individual to ensure conscious sedation is for you. Our compassionate team will work with you to determine the most suitable option based on your specific needs and level of anxiety.
Don’t let fear and dental anxiety stand in the way of managing your oral health. For more information, contact our team online or call 07 3733 3223.
