Every step will be taken to make sure you have a comfortable, enjoyable treatment experience at Worcester Endodontics. Despite that, though, you may still be nervous or afraid about receiving treatment. Feel free to voice your concerns during your initial visit or during your first call to our endodontic office. We will go over your options for sedation dentistry in Worcester, MA and help you pick the one that’s best suited for helping you overcome your fears long enough to get the care you need.
Why Choose Worcester Endodontics for Sedation Dentistry?
Kind, Experienced Endodontic Experts
Mild Sedation and IV Sedation Offered
Comfortable, State-of-the-Art Endodontic Office
Indications for Sedation Dentistry
Sedation is often a suitable option for the following types of patients:
Those who are afraid or anxious about receiving dental care of any kind.
Those who are nervous about receiving root canal therapy or another specific treatment.
Those who have difficulty sitting still for extended periods of time.
Those whose mouths have a hard time staying numb from local anesthetics.
If any of the above describe you or your loved ones, then dental sedation is an option worth considering.
Mild Dental Sedation
Mild sedation is a relatively light form of sedation dentistry. It puts you in a state where you’ll feel very sleepy throughout the procedure, but you’ll still be awake enough to comply with our instructions. Nitrous oxide is often the first choice for mild sedation, as it requires little preparation and wears off quickly once it stops being administered. In other cases, you may be given a pill to take orally a few hours before the treatment.
IV Dental Sedation
For the more severe forms of anxiety, our specialty dental office partners with an anesthesiologist to provide IV sedation. A powerful sedative will be injected directly into your bloodstream. The relaxation induced by this form of sedation is so deep that you may not even remember what happened during your treatment. This level of sedation also allows special needs patients to be treated in our endodontic office. It’s important to make sure that you have someone else to drive you home once your treatment is complete, as the medication’s effects will still linger after the treatment is over.
Do you need a little help relaxing in the treatment chair? Then nitrous oxide may be the perfect solution for you! Commonly known as laughing gas, this mild sedative is administered through a nasal mask, is extremely safe, is suitable for patients of all ages, and is fast-acting. Plus, the effects set in after only a few minutes and dissipate almost instantly. If you’d like to learn more about this sedation dentistry option, we encourage you to give us a call or keep reading.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
If you struggle with dental-related anxiety, you have a sensitive gag reflex, you have trouble staying comfortable in the treatment chair, or you need extensive dental work done, then we recommend talking to our team about nitrous oxide. During your appointment, we will learn about your dental needs as well as your medical history, allergies, and any medications you’re taking. That’s because – although nitrous oxide is suitable for the large majority of patients – there are a few exceptions, including expecting mothers and patients who have trouble breathing through their nose.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
When you arrive on the day of your treatment, we will bring you to one of our treatment rooms and help you settle in comfortably. Then, we will place the nasal piece over your nose and turn on the nitrous oxide. This gas is odorless, and you’ll begin to feel the effects within a few minutes. Once you’ve entered a state of genuine relaxation and you’re ready to begin your treatment, we will provide you with the preventive, restorative, or emergency care you need. When we’re done, we will turn off the nitrous oxide, and the effects will begin to fade away almost instantly.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Unlike other sedation options, nitrous oxide won’t leave you groggy. The effects begin to subside the moment we switch off the nitrous! That means that you can resume the rest of your day as you normally would, whether that means heading back to the office or going to class. The only aftercare instructions you’ll have is from your treatment, which may include not eating until you’ve regained full sensation in your mouth or rinsing with a mixture of salt and warm water to prevent an infection.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Are you looking for something more powerful than nitrous oxide but less intense compared to IV sedation? If so, talk to our team at Worcester Endodontics about oral conscious sedation. In this case, you will take an anti-anxiety pill before your appointment, ensuring you feel completely calm and comfortable when it comes time to start your treatment. If you want to learn more about this sedation dentistry option, you can keep reading or give us a call!
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Valium, Ativan, and Halcion are three commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications. They create a deeply calming sensation that will alleviate even more severe cases of dental-related fear. Plus, there are countless other benefits, including that there are no needles, you won’t be put to sleep, the effects typically begin to set in after only 15 minutes, and you likely won’t remember anything about your time in the treatment chair!
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
As we mentioned in the previous section, you will take a prescribed pill before your treatment, allowing ample time for the effects to set in. You’ll remain awake, which allows you to respond to verbal prompts and cues throughout your appointment. However, you’ll be so relaxed that it will feel like time is going much faster than it is.
Since the effects need some time to set in and dissipate, it’s important that you have a trusted adult drive you to and from your appointment and that you take it easy for the rest of the day.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
In order to determine if you’re a candidate for oral conscious sedation, we need to consider several important factors, including any allergies you have. Generally speaking, however, it’s suitable for patients who:
Experience more moderate dental-related anxiety.
Struggle with a strong gag reflex or dental sensitivity.
Have trouble feeling numb with local anesthesia.
Need to undergo multiple (or complex) treatments.
Have a physical condition that makes it difficult to stay still in the treatment chair.
If you are interested in learning more about oral conscious sedation – from if you’re a candidate to how much it costs – don’t hesitate to talk to our team!
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
What Exactly Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sometimes referred to as sleep dentistry, sedation dentistry refers to the use of medication to help patients feel calm, comfortable, and relaxed while receiving treatment at our Worcester office. While it can be used for virtually all types of dental procedures, in an endodontic setting, it’s especially helpful for those with anxiety or past traumatic dental experiences, among other situations. Depending on the type of sedation used—such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral conscious sedation, or IV sedation—you will feel anything from mildly to very deeply relaxed, allowing our team to perform treatments efficiently while ensuring you’re comfortable and compliant.
Will I Remember Anything After Being Sedated?
Many patients remember little to nothing after being sedated, depending on the type and level of sedation used. Mild forms, like nitrous oxide, typically allow you to remain fully aware, though you’ll feel calm and relaxed. On the other hand, oral conscious sedation and IV sedation create a deeper state of relaxation and may cause partial or complete memory loss of the procedure, which many patients actually find very reassuring! Our team will always discuss what to expect; while experiences vary, the goal is always the same—to help you feel comfortable, at ease, and free from stressful memories or moments during treatment.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Yes, sedation dentistry in Worcester is considered very safe when properly planned and administered by trained professionals such as our team. In fact, options such as nitrous oxide are often used for patients of all ages, receiving treatment of all natures. During your appointment, your vital signs, such as your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, will be monitored, and remember—you’ll still be awake and able to respond to physical and verbal commands. Before your appointment, we’re also more than happy to answer any questions you have and ensure that you feel fully comfortable. We often recommend wearing cozy clothing to your appointment, and you’ll also need to arrange for transportation.
Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
You may be a good candidate for sedation dentistry if you experience significant dental anxiety, have difficulty getting numb, or struggle to sit comfortably through longer procedures. It’s also very beneficial if you have a strong gag reflex, sensitive teeth, or need to undergo multiple or complex treatments. While many people are good candidates for sedation dentistry, we’ll still need to review your medical history, current medications, and overall health to ensure sedation is safe for you. However, once we’ve cleared you, we can review your treatment options and make sure you know exactly what to expect before, during, and after your appointment.
