Dr. Matthew Gerald offers his patients sedation dentistry in Vienna, VA. Dental sedation is a general dentistry treatment method we can use during procedures to help patients relax. It allows them to receive anxiety-free dental care.
For patients with dental fear or anxiety, we can utilize sedation dentistry so they feel comfortable during their procedures. Sedation dentistry is a safe and proven way to treat patients even if they do not have fear or anxiety. We also utilize sedation for more in-depth procedures such as tooth extractions.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
The benefits of dental sedation are vast and help make dental treatment attainable. Not only does it work on patients who suffer from a fear of the dentist, but it can also work on patients who suffer from severe gag reflexes.
Using dental sedation, we are able to:
- Help patients overcome fear and anxiety
- Offer safe and high-quality treatment
- Schedule fewer appointments for care
- Help dentists to work efficiently
- Provide pain-free care
- Eliminates sore muscles and joints from tensing up
Sedation Dentistry in Vienna, VA for Dental Anxiety
If you or a loved one have dental fear or anxiety, please contact our dental office before your next appointment so we can accommodate you. We always recommend dental sedation depending on your specific needs. Dr. Gerald will gather your medical history and listen to your fears to help determine the right treatment for you.
Our dentist office is a judgement-free zone. You can trust us to work one-on-one with you to help you get the dental care you need. In addition to utilizing dental sedation, we will keep you well informed on everything we do. We have learned that when patients know what to expect, their anxiety and fears go away.
Common Types of Dental Sedation
There are two main types of sedation dentistry that we use to calm and relax patients:
- Oral Conscious Sedation: Like its name, oral conscious sedation allows patients to be conscious during their treatment. You are able to interact with the dental staff but will be in a deep state of relaxation. Additionally, you won’t be able to remember the procedure. Oral conscious sedation is in pill form. You will take it about an hour prior to your treatment. It usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to take effect. With this type of sedation, you will need a ride to and from your appointment.
- Nitrous Oxide: Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide can sometimes make patients giggly or happy as well as relaxed. The dentist administers Nitrous oxide through a cannula placed under the nose or a mask placed over the mouth. This type of dental sedation takes effect and wears off quickly, so patients are able to drive themselves to and from their appointment.
Dental Sedation FAQs
How long does it take for sedation from the dentist to wear off?
The effects of dental sedation typically subside 24 hours after the procedure. We recommend asking a friend or family member to drive you and pick you up from your procedure, to ensure that you do not drive while still under the effects of sedation.
How do doctors wake you up from anesthesia?
After the procedure over, the anesthesiologist will administer the opposite dose of medication to bring you out of anesthesia. In the operating room or the recovery room, you will gradually gain consciousness. When you first come out of sedation, it is common to feel a bit groggy and disoriented.
Do you talk during conscious sedation?
Patients who are under conscious sedation can still respond verbally and relay any concerns they may have about the procedure’s pain level. There is a chance that a person’s memory of the procedure will be permanently lost after conscious sedation. A possible side effect of conscious sedation is feeling sleepy for a short period after the procedure.
Can you feel pain during conscious sedation?
You shouldn’t experience any pain, but you might feel some pressure. In most cases, the effects of local anesthesia are gone within an hour, though you might feel numb for a while after the procedure.
Call Today to Discuss Sedation Dentistry in Vienna, VA
Do you or a loved one have dental anxiety? Ask our office about dental sedation. Schedule a dental appointment with our team online. You can also call our Vienna, VA dental office at (703) 721-4796. Please let our team know if you have any more questions or concerns and they will gladly assist you.