Sedation Dentistry in Pearland
For many patients, a visit to the dentist is anxiety-inducing. This doesn’t have to be the case! Sedation dentistry from our Pearland offices provide a way to a safe, anxiety-free experience for those who are nervous about their dentist visit.
There are different levels of sedation available, ranging from mild (where the patient is still awake) to deep (where the patient is asleep), which are used according to the patient’s needs and dental treatment they are receiving. Before choosing and administering any type of sedation, your Harmony Dental dentist will assess your medical history and note any current medications you’re taking.
Types of Sedation
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Inhaled Minimal Sedation:
Nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as “laughing gas” is combined with oxygen and breathed through a mask. Your dentist is able to control the amount of sedation received. The gas helps relieve anxiety and reduces pain, and its effects wear off quickly. This is the only form of sedation after which you may be able to drive yourself home.
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Oral Sedation:
Oral sedation involves taking a pill, typically Halcion (from the same drug family as Valium), usually about an hour before the procedure. Moderate sedation requires a larger dose. Oral sedation does not cause sleep but usually, dulls the senses.
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IV Moderate Sedation:
Generally used for shorter treatments, IV sedation is administered via direct injection into the bloodstream, producing immediate effects. Intravenous sedation is considered a moderate type of sedation, but patients often report feeling like they slept through the whole procedure, and may feel groggy or sleepy after the sedative is withdrawn. A designated driver is needed when this type of sedation is administered.
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Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia:
This type of sedation is induced using medications, which make the patient either almost unconscious or fully unconscious. Unlike oral sedation, where, if the patient falls asleep, they can be easily awakened, the patient does not wake up from deep sedation until the effects of the medication wear off or are reversed with medication.
