Sedation Dentistry
Sedation Dentistry in Alexandria, VA
We never want you to put off a dental treatment that you need because of anxiety or worry about pain. Belle Haven Dental Center offers three levels of sedation so that our patients can get the care they need and remain comfortable during the entire procedure. Talk to us about your specific needs so we can plan for sedation that will make your dental experience a positive one. Your safety is a top priority and your health will be monitored carefully during the sedation.
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Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is the mildest form of sedation and is considered safe for everyone, even children. It is administered through a nosepiece. Sometimes nitrous oxide is called laughing gas because of the feeling of euphoria some people experience. Besides a feeling of extreme calm, another benefit of nitrous oxide is that it enhances the efficacy of the local anesthetic used to numb an area before treatment. Patients remain conscious and alert during their dental treatment and the effects wear off almost immediately. There are no residual effects so it is safe to drive yourself home after the appointment.
Oral Conscious Sedation
This type of sedation is administered through a prescription pill that the patient will take several hours before treatment. We can vary the strength of the sedation with dosage. The sedation will cause extreme drowsiness, but you will remain conscious during your treatment and won’t feel any pain. It usually takes several hours for the drowsiness to wear off so you should arrange transportation to and from the dental appointment and take it easy for awhile.
IV Sedation
For our patients who have high levels of anxiety or who are undergoing extensive dental treatments, we offer a stronger level of sedation that is administered intravenously. This medication is a commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medication that allows you to remain conscious during your treatment but feel no pain at all. This fact-acting sedation causes extreme drowsiness and some patients don’t even remember their treatment afterwards. Arrange for someone to drive you home from your appointment and plan to relax since the feeling of drowsiness will last the rest of the day.
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