Dental anxiety is nothing to be ashamed of. 75 percent of adults in the US admit to experiencing some level of fear when it comes to dental appointments, and in about five to 10 percent of cases, that fear is strong enough to be considered a dental phobia. As caring San Marcos sedation dentists, our team knows how important it is for your family to be able to relax during their regular checkups and dental procedures. Be sure to ask about our options for sedation dentistry when you call to schedule your appointment.
Sedation Dentist San Marcos
Why choose North County Aesthetics & Implants for sedation dentistry?
- Oral Conscious Sedation for Severe Phobias
- Comfortable Dental Office and Gentle, Friendly Staff
- MD Anesthesiologist on-Staff for Safe Anesthesia
What is oral conscious sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is usually recommended for adults who have anxiety, fear, or something else that makes sitting in the dental chair uncomfortable. There aren’t any needles or masks needed. Instead, you are prescribed a small pill to take an hour before your appointment. By the time your procedure begins, you will be perfectly relaxed and ready for treatment!
How does oral conscious sedation work?
Once the effects of the pill kick in, you will feel a deep sense of relaxation. Some patients don’t even remember their visit afterward. However, you will stay awake throughout the whole treatment, so you will still be able to answer questions and follow the instructions of your dental team. The effects of oral conscious sedation can linger, so you will need a trusted friend or family member to drive you to and from your procedure.
Who is a good candidate for oral conscious sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is likely a good option for you if you:
- Regularly cancel dental visits due to anxiety
- Are undergoing multiple procedures at once
- Have difficulty sitting still
- Have negative previous dental experiences
- Have dental anxiety/phobia
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Have a long dental treatment
- Struggle to become numb from local anesthetics
IV Sedation
IV sedation is still conscious sedation, as you will remain able to respond to our team during your procedure. However, it’s much stronger than nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation, making it a better option for those in need of complex treatment or that have severe dental phobia. Because the medication is directly administered into the blood stream, the effects are faster acting and last longer, so you will need to have a friend or family member prepared to transport you to and from our office.
General Anesthesia (Sleep Dentistry)
Our practice is proud to partner with an MD anesthesiologist to provide general anesthesia in-office, allowing you to receive your treatment in a comfortable environment that you’re familiar with. This is excellent for patients receiving more complex procedures, like oral surgery, or those who are in need of several treatments at once. You will be able to breathe on your own, but you will remain “asleep” or unconscious during your treatment, so you won’t remember anything or be able to respond to our team.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a fast-acting method of sedation that we administer in-office. We’ll place a small mask over your nose that will allow you to breathe in a colorless, odorless gas. Within moments, you will feel a euphoric effect that will help you relax and release any fear and tension you may typically feel at the dental office. After your treatment, we will remove the mask and you will be able to carry on with the rest of your day as you normally would since it typically takes the effects only a few minutes to wear off.