Sedation Dentistry
If you need restorative or cosmetic dentistry done, we recommend visiting a sedation dentist in Mckinney, Texas. At R. Ben Alexander, DDS, we offer sedation dentistry for patients living in and around the Mckinney area.
When you schedule an appointment with Dr. Alexander, let us know if you have dental anxiety so that we can prepare for your visit accordingly. For many people, the actual procedure is not uncomfortable but it is the anxiety and worry that causes angst. With this in mind, we often prescribe an oral sedative or laughing gas that can be taken prior to the appointment to help a person relax. While this is not a pain killer, it eases the fear and relaxes the body so that you can remain peaceful while having teeth cleaned, or dental work performed. While the dosage is different, laughing gas can be used on both children and adults so that all of our Mckinney patients can remain comfortable.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
There are various levels and types of sedation. During your consultation Dr. Alexander will discuss the recommended procedure with you along with any anxiety you may have. At that time, he will suggested the right sedation for you. However, the ultimate decision is up to you based on how you believe you will handle the procedure. In many cases, our patients simply need to relax and prefer to use laughing gas in order to do so. It is quick, effective, and wears off when the procedure is finished without impairing any other bodily functions. Some patients use this to relax when getting their teeth cleaned since there is no actual pain associated with the treatment.
How Does Sedation Dentistry Work During Dental Procedures?
When a cavity is being treated or other minor dental work performed, patients may prefer to use a combination of laughing gas and localized pain medication. After numbing the surface of the gums, we can place pain medication that numbs the area that is being worked on. As a sedation dentist in Mckinney, Texas, this is an effective tool for us to prevent and eliminate any discomfort. We can administer as much medication as is necessary throughout the course of the treatment, and only that specific area will remain numb. The benefit of this is localization. For example, if a cavity is being treated on one side of the mouth, the other side will remain fully functional. This way you can eat immediately after the treatment while the numbing effect wears off the other side.
Stronger Sedation Solutions
If a more intensive procedure is required, patients may prefer stronger medicine to relax them. When sedation is administered through this means the numbing effect is more pervasive and not confined to one specific area of the mouth. It is extremely effective and as a sedation dentist, we find that many of our patients request this type of medication because they want to ensure that they do not feel anything while having dental work performed. If this is the case, the effect can still wear off fairly quickly after the treatment is over, but we do recommend having a friend or family member drive you home just in case.