Sedation Dentistry – State College, PA
Put Your Mind and Body at Ease
Our skilled dentist and caring team do their utmost to ensure every patient who visits our State College, PA dental office is calm, relaxed, and comfortable. However, there are some situations where even the gentlest and most attentive care is not enough to keep patients free from stress. In these cases, we may recommend oral conscious or nitrous oxide dental sedation. If you’d like to find out more about how sedation dentistry in the State College, PA dental office of Kevin P. Labosky, DMD can improve your dental experience, contact us to find out more today.
Why Choose Kevin P. Labosky, DMD for Sedation Dentistry?
- Dentist and Team Dedicated to Patient Comfort
- Fast-Acting Nitrous Oxide Available
- Oral Conscious Sedation for Moderate Anxiety
Oral Conscious Dental Sedation
Sedation is often recommended for those patients who experience dental phobia, need complex or numerous procedures, and those with sensitive teeth, gums, or gag reflexes. Oral conscious sedation is especially popular among those patients who experience anxiety leading up to their appointments. This form of sedative is administered in pill form prior to patients arriving at our dental office. In most cases, patients are completely relaxed before they ever leave home. Additionally, the effects of oral conscious sedation last for twelve or more hours, so the patient should have a friend or family member drive them to and from our dental office.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
The longest used form of sedation, nitrous oxide earned its nickname, laughing gas, because it causes a feeling of euphoria for most patients. The gas is inhaled through the nose during treatment, so the dosage can be adjusted to ensure the patient maintains optimal comfort throughout any procedure. In addition to being safe for patients of all ages, nitrous oxide is fast acting, effective, and, best of all, it wears off just as quickly. If this sounds like the calming treatment option you’ve been looking for, get in touch with our team to learn more or read on!
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Typically, nitrous oxide is recommended for patients who:
- Have difficulty becoming numb
- Experience dental-related anxiety
- Have trouble controlling their movements
- Suffer from dental sensitivity
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
Although this mild sedative is a good option for the large majority of patients, there are a few exceptions. For example, if you have a sinus infection, you’re pregnant, or you’re taking certain medications, then you may not be a candidate. That’s why we review your medical history, medications, allergies, and other crucial information during your consultation.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Since nitrous oxide is fast-acting and the effects dissipate almost immediately, the process is quite simple! Once you’re comfortably settled into the treatment chair, one of our team members will place a nasal mask over your nose, which is how you will inhale the nitrous oxide. After a few minutes of breathing in the odorless gas, you will begin to feel the effects and enter a state of relaxation. Then, we will confirm you’re ready to begin your treatment and get to work!
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
At the end of your treatment, we will switch off the nitrous so you’re just inhaling oxygen. The effects will begin to lift, and within a few minutes you’ll feel back to normal. That means that you can drive to and from your appointment and resume your normal, daily activities right away! The only aftercare instructions you have will be from your treatment, like not eating anything until you regain full sensation in your mouth.
