Sedation Dentistry – Springfield, MO
Soothing Fear & Anxiety with Dental Sedation
At Olson Family Dental, our patients’ comfort is a top priority, and with new advances to ensure patient relaxation and ease anxiety, a bad experience in the dental chair is a thing of the past. We offer a full range of comfort measures that includes sedation dentistry. Dental sedation offers a safe, comfortable solution to help you achieve a state of total relaxation during your appointment that's especially helpful for an extended, complex visit such as implants or full-mouth reconstruction. If you believe that you could benefit from sedation dentistry in Springfield, please call our team before your appointment for more information.
Why Choose Olson Family Dental for Sedation Dentistry?
- Nitrous Oxide & Oral Conscious Sedation Available
- Serving Families in Springfield Since 1998
- Comfort Amenities Available for a Relaxing Experience
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is ideal if you experience milder dental anxiety or fear, as it offers a way to achieve greater comfort and relaxation for a more pleasing experience. Its use in the dentist’s office makes it easier for you to get the oral healthcare you need without enduring the nerves that have kept you from maintaining your appointments in the past. Simple to administer and conservative in its technique, dental nitrous oxide in Springfield is a solution our team is happy to provide.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
The following are a few instances in which we may recommend nitrous oxide:
- You have a sensitive or strong gag reflex that makes it hard for you to receive dental care.
- You have a difficult time sitting still because of a physical ailment.
- You experience mild anxiety when preparing for a dental appointment.
- You had a bad experience at another dentist’s office.
During a meeting with Dr. Olson and our team, we will determine if nitrous oxide is the right form of sedation for you. Most patients are considered good candidates because of how safe it is to use, but we must be sure and not take any chances. This is why we will discuss your oral and overall health, as well as go over any current medications you are taking. This will ensure you do not have a negative reaction to the gaseous mixture when it’s administered.
If you are struggling with sinus congestion or have a respiratory illness, we may suggest waiting to receive treatment to ensure the sedation is effective.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
All our team will do is place a small mask over your nose that will allow you to breathe in a colorless and odorless gas. Within moments, you’ll feel a euphoric, relaxing wave come over you that will help soothe any fear you may otherwise experience.
One of our team members will be able to adjust the dosage throughout your visit if it is necessary, making sure you remain comfortable from beginning to end.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
One great benefit of nitrous oxide sedation is that the effects don’t linger, allowing you to carry on with the rest of your day as you normally would after your appointment. There is no downtime involved when using nitrous oxide; only Dr. Olson will have you sit for a few minutes and breathe in pure oxygen to ensure all the effects from the gas are fully dissipated.
You are then free to leave our office and return to work or home. If you receive any aftercare instructions from our team, it will be in correlation with the type of dental treatment you received during your appointment. You will need to make sure you abide by the information provided so that you can recover quickly and successfully.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is a great option for our patients who have more moderate to severe dental fear or anxiety, or for those who need to undergo longer procedures. This is because it invokes deeper effects that can last for several hours. All you’ll need to do is take a single pill about an hour before your visit. Because the effects can linger for up to 12 hours, it’s important to clear your schedule for the rest of the day after your visit and have a trusted friend or family member ready to pick you up.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is a medication that can be administered in pill or liquid form that we’ll prescribe for you to pick up from your local pharmacy. It’s usually a prescription like Valium or Halcion, and is in the diazepam family.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
First, Dr. Olson will review your medical history and discuss your dental anxiety and fear with you. If cleared by your MD, you are given a pill to take one hour prior to your dental appointment. It works quickly to create a relaxed state, so you can expect to feel drowsy by the time you arrive. During treatment, your vital signs will be monitored while you are in a sleep-like state. You will be able to respond to any given commands or questions, but will not likely recall events while the drug is in effect. In many cases, our patients remember little-to-no details of their visit, which is ideal for those with more intense fear of the dental office.
Who is a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
We may recommend oral conscious sedation for patients who:
- Are receiving more complex, multiple, or longer dental treatments.
- Have a history of dental fear or anxiety.
- Find it difficult to sit through dental cleanings due to a strong gag reflex.
- Experience severe dental sensitivity.
If you believe that you could benefit from dental sedation in Springfield, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to learn more! Our friendly staff and dentist are always happy to assist you.