Sedation Dentistry in Houston, TX

People who feel anxious before going to a dentist or having dental treatment can opt for dental sedation. At our clinical practice, we offer sleep dentistry in Houston, TX, for the following reasons:

• Severe dental anxiety: The primary goal of dental sedation is to relieve your anxiety before and during the procedure. It also helps to prevent changes in blood pressure and the risk of fainting.
• Sensitive gag reflex: It isn’t easy to proceed with dental treatment in people with a sensitive gag reflex. Sedation helps to relax the muscles in the back of your mouth.
• Low pain threshold: Certain dental treatments, like dental cleaning, do not require anesthesia. But if you feel pain or discomfort, we can help to manage it with dental sedation.
• Complex treatment: In cases requiring more than one dental procedure, like full mouth rehabilitation, we employ dental sedation to ease the process.

For common dental procedures that may cause pain, we use local anesthesia for numbing the treatment site. In the case of dental treatments that cause mild to moderate discomfort, we prefer dental sedation. We may simultaneously utilize local and sedation anesthesia in certain procedures for maximum comfort. Our sedation dentist in Houston offers two types of sedation based on the severity of the treatment:

• Nitrous oxide sedation: also known as laughing gas sedation, is ideal for patients with mild dental anxiety. We administer it by placing a small nasal mask through which nitrous gas flows in a monitored dosage.
• Oral sedation: is suitable for people with moderate dental anxiety. In this case, we will provide oral medication to take before the start of dental treatment to calm your nerves.

A calm, peaceful dental experience can help to develop a positive mindset regarding dentists and dental treatments. To maintain a stress-free environment, our dentists provide sedation dentistry in Houston, TX, that offers numerous benefits, including:

• Lowers dental anxiety and maintains a relaxed state throughout treatment.
• Makes it easier for the dentist to perform detailed dental procedures.
• Eliminates pain and discomfort during complex treatments.
• Allows to perform multiple dental procedures at once
• Leaves a positive impact on patients regarding dental care, making them feel more confident.

Our dental team will discuss your sedation options when you consult us. We consider your health history, the medications you are taking, and other necessary information to recommend an option according to your needs.

The dentist usually recommends not eating anything for at least 6 hours before the appointment. Make sure you follow your dentist’s instructions regarding routine medications. We might ask you to skip blood-thinning medications.

We will give the sedation medications prior to your procedure. Our specialist might give you a local anesthetic to numb your teeth and gums once the sedatives kick in. After the appointment, we recommend that a trusted family member or friend take you home. Rest up at home while the sedative medications are wearing off!

Your recovery following the sedative dentistry will depend on the type of sedation you choose and how your body responds to it. Generally, people who opt for nitrous oxide recover within 15-30 minutes, and they may be able to drive home on their own after the appointment. However, those who have IV sedation and oral conscious sedation usually require around 24 hours for complete recovery.

You can return to your daily routine, work, or school as soon as you leave the dental office if you have nitrous oxide. On the other hand, you will need to wait a day before you return to your normal activities. Keep in mind that some individuals may need more time to recover!

Our dentist will give you aftercare guidelines following your appointment with sedation dentistry at our Houston dental clinic!

Our dental practice ensures a relaxed, peaceful environment for our patients so they feel stress-free during dental visits. If you feel stressed or nervous before a treatment, we can help you manage it with sedation dentistry in Houston, TX. To learn more about the process and benefits of dental sedation, call us or reach out via email to schedule a consultation.