We realize that for some people, a trip to the dentist can be a very anxious event. At Poulos and Somers, your absolute comfort during dental treatment is our top priority. We strive to provide a very relaxed and comfortable atmosphere no matter what treatment you receive. If you feel nervous about an upcoming appointment, give us a call or contact us online to learn more about your options for sedation dentistry at our Denver practice!
If you experience anxiety and dental phobia, laughing gas can keep you calm and safe. When this sedative takes effect, it gives the patient a feeling of euphoria and relaxation. You’ll be awake during your procedure, but you’ll be calm and stress-free. Another benefit of laughing gas is that it wears off quickly – usually the effects will wear off soon after treatment. That way you can enjoy the rest of your day as you normally would.
Laughing gas is usually administered using a specialized nose mask. One of our doctors will place the mask over your nose. Then, nitrous oxide and oxygen will be mixed and pumped through the mask. You will simply inhale deeply through your nose, and the gas will be delivered directly into your lungs, where it will enter your bloodstream. This results in a sensation of relaxation and euphoria, which will last through your entire procedure.
Laughing gas is usually recommended for relatively minor procedures, as it does not involve heavy sedation. It allows you to feel calm and relaxed without significantly affecting your mental state or level of consciousness. Our Denver team commonly recommends laughing gas for treatments like oral exams and cleanings, periodontal treatments, fillings, and during the dental crown preparation and placement process.
We want you to be comfortable and at ease during your treatment, so we offer oral conscious sedation to keep you calm and relaxed. This sedative is taken in pill form and provides a pain-free, stress-free experience for you. Whether you have slight or severe anxiety about your upcoming dental appointment, or if you will be undergoing an extensive treatment, oral conscious sedation may be the right choice for you.
Oral conscious sedation consists of a sedative pill, which you will usually take an hour or two before your appointment. Once the sedative begins to take hold, you will begin to feel very sleepy and drowsy, and you may even fall asleep during your treatment.
Oral conscious sedation can be used for most patients who are nervous about an upcoming oral surgery. It offers a deeper level of sedation compared to nitrous oxide, so it’s often used for treatments like tooth extractions and dental implant placement surgery. Oral conscious sedation helps mitigate fear and anxiety while you’re undergoing oral surgery at our Denver practice.
If you will be receiving an extensive treatment, or if you have high levels of anxiety about your appointment, IV sedation or general anesthesia may be the right option for you. During your appointment, one of our specialists will administer the sedative intravenously, and our experts will monitor you throughout your treatment. With general anesthesia, you will have a pain-free procedure and avoid any negative memories of your treatment.
Both IV sedation and general anesthesia are delivered using an intravenous drip. However, they are not the same thing.
IV sedation uses the same drugs as oral conscious sedation, but because they are delivered intravenously, they usually have a stronger effect. Most patients sleep through their entire procedure with IV sedation. However, IV sedation does not require the use of a ventilator (breathing machine), unlike general anesthesia.
General anesthesia is much stronger than IV sedation, and results in a state of complete unconsciousness. You will not wake up until the sedative drugs wear off, and a ventilator will be used to help you breathe steadily.
IV sedation can be used for most oral surgeries like tooth extractions and dental implant placements, as well as treatments like periodontal plastic surgery.
General anesthesia, though, is only recommended for the most invasive oral surgical procedures, such as jaw surgeries and other treatments where you must stay completely still and be unconscious throughout the entire procedure. This is because it is a much deeper level of sedation, and requires the use of a breathing tube, which may make it more difficult to work on your teeth, in some cases.
