Sedation Dentistry in Katy, TX

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry at Our Katy, TX Office

There are a few reasons why you might want to opt for nitrous oxide during your next procedure.

• Nitrous oxide alleviates anxiety about the procedure.
• It helps restless patients sit still.
• More than one procedure can be done during one visit.
• You won’t remember much, if any, of the procedure.
• Time seems to pass more quickly.
• No needles or injections are involved.
• You won’t experience any pain during the procedure.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

At M&G Family Dentistry, our dentist performs Laughing gas Sedation to all ages.

Laughing gas is a colorless, odorless to sweet-smelling inorganic gas that was first used in surgical and dental anesthesia in the mid-1800s.

Today, the combination of inhaled Laughing gas and oxygen, when used appropriately, can be a safe and effective means of managing pain and anxiety in dentistry. Referred to as “conscious sedation,” “relative analgesia,” or “Laughing gas-oxygen sedation,” inhaled Laughing gas-oxygen is the most used gaseous anesthetic in the world and a 2007 survey by the ADA estimated that 70% of dental practices using any form of sedation employed Laughing gas-oxygen sedation.

• The combination of inhaled Laughing gas and oxygen is a safe and effective means of managing pain and anxiety in dentistry, when used appropriately.
• There is an inherent safety margin for the proper administration of Laughing gas-oxygen sedation.
• It helps reduce anxiety, discomfort, and pain during certain procedures.
• It produces a very mild form of sedation.
• Effects are reversible within few minutes after 2-5 minutes of pure oxygen inhalation.
• Patient will still be conscious, responsive during procedure but may not remember it afterwards.

Oral Conscious Sedation

• Simply explained, oral conscious sedation is the administration of sedative drugs via an oral route, generally to facilitate a dental procedure and reduce patients anxiety related to the dental procedure.
• It helps reduce anxiety, discomfort, and pain during certain procedures. … Conscious sedation is commonly used in dentistry for people who feel anxious or panicked during complex procedures like fillings, root canals, or routine cleanings.
• It produces a very mild form of sedation.
• Effects are reversible within 24-48 hours.
• Patient will still be conscious, responsive during procedure but may not remember it afterwards.

How does it work?

• First, your dentist will examine and evaluate you for the sedation procedure, the dentist may need to review your medical history, evaluate your throat, nose, chest or even order some lab work or consult your primary care physician.
• Then, the dentist will order the sedative medication.
• You will be asked to have a responsible adult to drive and accompany you during the entire day of the procedure, and you will be given pre and post- operative sedation instruction.
• On the day of the procedure, inside the dental office: an initial dose is usually taken approximately one hour before the dental appointment.
• Once the sedative medication starts to take effect, you will feel relaxed and pain-free throughout your procedure.
• Patient will still need to be injected by local anesthesia in the area where the dental procedure will be performed.
• Many patients will have little to no memory of the procedure and feel good afterward.
• Sometimes, the dentist may have you take an additional ½ dose during the procedure to maintain the effect a little longer.
• Laughing gas Sedation can be combined to produce a more potent sedation.
• The sedative effect of the drugs will gradually wear off during the course of the day.
• Most patients are well enough to return to their normal activities within 24 hours depending on the nature of their work.

Things to Know About Sedation Dentistry

Unlike with other forms of sedation, patients will be able to drive themselves home after nitrous oxide/laughing gas sedation. However, a caregiver will need to be present during your procedure for safety reasons.

Please note that as nitrous oxide must be inhaled; people with medical issues or certain breathing problems might not be eligible for nitrous oxide use. Talk to your Katy dentist about your medical history before your procedure and let him or her know if you have any medical problems worth mentioning.

If you have any questions about nitrous oxide, our staff would be happy to assist you. Call our Katy, TX office or make an appointment to talk to a dentist today!