Sedation Dentistry – Naperville, IL
Get the Dental Care You Need Stress-Free
Patients of all ages may feel anxious at the idea of seeing a dentist, which makes it difficult to schedule routine appointments and treatments that your smile needs to thrive. That’s why we offer three different methods of sedation dentistry. We’ll work with you to determine which option for sedation dentistry in our Naperville, IL dental office will best help you feel relaxed and comfortable when receiving dental care.
Why Choose Grand Dental - Naperville for Sedation Dentistry?
- Safe Sedation for Kids and Adults
- Eliminate Mild to Severe Dental Anxiety
- Friendly & Accommodating Team
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
We can remedy mild anxiety with nitrous oxide sedation. Safe for both children and adults, this effective form of sedation allows for a more relaxing experience – one that helps alleviate anxiety and concern from those who dislike visiting the dentist’s office. With effects that come on quickly and dissipate just as fast, it’s a helpful solution our team can use to ensure patients get the oral healthcare they need.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Patients who suffer from any of the following may be considered good candidates for nitrous oxide sedation:
- Difficulty sitting still in the treatment chair because of a physical disability
- A sensitive gag reflex
- A dislike of the dentist’s office because of past trauma
- Mild dental anxiety
- A dislike of needles
It’s important that our Grand Dental – Naperville team evaluate each patient before agreeing to provide nitrous oxide, as there are some individuals who should not receive it. They include those who are pregnant and anyone dealing with a respiratory illness.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Nitrous oxide is easy to administer and will be closely monitored by our team throughout the procedure. A nasal mask with tubing is placed over the patient’s nose so they can inhale the gaseous mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen.
Within minutes, the effects will create a more relaxed and comfortable experience, allowing the patient to remain at ease throughout the appointment. They may begin to feel warm or even euphoric.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
As soon as our team is finished administering the necessary treatment, the gas will be turned off, and the mask will be removed to allow the individual to breathe pure oxygen for a few minutes. During this time, we ask that patients remain in our office for a short time just to make sure the effects wear off as they should.
Once our team believes the individual is fine, they can leave and return home to resume normal activity. It is important, though, that if more invasive treatment was administered during the visit that all proper aftercare instructions be followed to ensure successful recovery.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is ideal for moderately to severely anxious patients. We’ll prescribe a potent anti-anxiety pill to be taken about an hour before your procedure. By the time you’re in the treatment chair, you’ll be relaxed enough to easily receive the care you need. The effects of the pill can last for hours, so you’ll need someone to drive you to and from our dental office.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
When other forms of sedation are not enough (i.e., nitrous oxide) or multiple procedures are required in a single appointment, oral conscious sedation in Naperville can be used. Administered in pill form, the medicine works quickly to calm down any nerves and create a sense of comfort and ease. This will make receiving dental care easier and less stressful for the person in the treatment chair.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
When meeting with a member of our Grand Dental – Naperville team before your procedure, we will prescribe a pill medication that you will need to take before your appointment. Once you are seated in the treatment chair, you’ll begin to feel more relaxed, as the medication will begin taking effect.
Throughout your visit, you may drift off to sleep; however, you’ll never become unconscious. Our team will easily be able to awaken you if necessary.
After everything is finished, you will need someone to drive you home from the appointment, as the effects take time to subside. Instead of returning to work or going back to school, you will need to spend the rest of your day relaxing at home and allowing the sedation to dissipate.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
If you think you might benefit from oral conscious sedation, you’ll need to meet with one of our dentists so they can review your health history and current medications. If everything appears good, you may be recommended for this type of sedation if you:
- Require multiple procedures to be performed in a single appointment
- Have difficulty staying seated and still in the treatment chair
- Are bothered by your gag reflex
- Struggle to get numb with any other kind of anesthesia or sedation
- Are fearful of the dentist’s office and regularly cancel or reschedule appointments
- Have experienced dental trauma at a previous office
IV Dental Sedation
IV sedation can help with extreme anxiety and fear. Because the sedative is delivered straight into the bloodstream, the effects will set in quickly and can be adjusted as needed throughout the procedure. You’ll remain awake during your treatment, but you likely won’t remember much.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
How long does dental sedation last?
The timeframe for post-treatment side effects is different depending on the type of sedation you receive. Nitrous oxide generally wears off within five minutes, allowing you or your child to resume daily activities without concern. The effects of oral conscious sedation can take 24 hours to dissipate, so you’ll need to have someone drive you home after your appointment and spend the remainder of the day resting. IV sedation is considered the strongest form, but the medication will likely wear off not long after the completion of your appointment. It is best, however, that you spend time resting at home afterward because you may feel groggy.
Is sedation dentistry covered by dental insurance?
Unfortunately, most dental insurance companies do not provide coverage for sedation; instead, they deem it a luxury expense. There are a few exceptions, however, that can lead to an insurer paying for this type of treatment. For example, if you have a disability that requires you to receive nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, or IV sedation to obtain dental care, they will likely pay a portion of the cost. Also, if you undergo complex procedures (i.e., multiple tooth extractions), it may be covered.
What does it feel like to be sedated at the dentist?
During your initial consultation, you can expect your sedation dentist in Naperville to go over what you might experience when receiving sedation, but it’s different for every type and patient.
- Nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas because it might cause you to giggle during treatment. You’ll remain relaxed and feel lighter than usual. Some individuals report tingling sensations in their arms and legs.
- Oral conscious sedation helps you enter into a deeper state of relaxation and comfort. You may doze off during treatment and have difficulty forming words. Your body will likely feel heavier, and you may find that time goes by much faster.
- IV sedation produces many of the same effects as oral conscious sedation but to a higher degree. This is likely only to be used when extensive or complex care is required.
Is sedation dentistry safe while breastfeeding?
Generally, yes, receiving dental sedation while breastfeeding should not negatively affect you or your baby. The medications that are used with oral conscious and IV sedation have a low risk of compromising breast milk, and nitrous oxide dissipates almost immediately after your appointment, so there is nothing left in your body that will pass on to your baby while breastfeeding.