Sedation Dentistry – Fort Mill, SC
Anxiety-Free Dental Care
As many as one out of five Americans avoids going to the dentist due to fear or anxiety. If this describes you, know that getting the care your smile needs doesn’t have to be scary. At Southlake Family Dentistry, Dr. Priya Chougule can take the stress out of your appointments with sedation dentistry. She’ll ensure you’re fully comfortable as she performs treatment that is 100% personalized to your unique needs. If you’re ready to experience anxiety-free dental care, call us today and ask about sedation dentistry in our Fort Mill, SC dental office!
Why Choose Southlake Family Dentistry for Sedation Dentistry?
- Personalized, One-on-One Care from an Experienced Dentist
- We Take Our Time – No Rushed Appointments!
- State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
We can administer nitrous oxide, also called “laughing gas,” through a small mask placed over your nose. You’ll feel its calming effects almost instantly, allowing you to complete your procedure without any stress while remaining conscious. Our team can adjust the dosage of the sedative at any time to achieve your ideal comfort level. Once we’ve finished and removed the mask, the effects should wear off within minutes, and you should be able to continue with your regularly scheduled day.
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
You might want to consider nitrous oxide if you…
- Experience mild dental anxiety
- Have very sensitive teeth
- Have an overactive gag reflex
- Don’t respond to typical dental anesthetic
- Have trouble sitting for long periods of time
- Find it difficult to keep your mouth wide open
- Need help to stay relaxed through routine care
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
When you inhale nitrous oxide, it blocks the neurotransmitters in your brain that would otherwise cause you to feel any anxiety or pain-related sensations. This essentially numbs you to any physical or mental discomfort.
On top of this, it causes a release of dopamine, which can lead to a gentle feeling of euphoria. This is what leads some people to giggle, which is where nitrous oxide gets its more popular name.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
One of the biggest benefits of nitrous oxide is that it basically doesn’t require any aftercare. We’ll simply remove the mask, and after a few minutes of regular breathing, you should feel just like you did before you sat in the dental chair.
There is no lingering drowsiness or giddiness, and this is true for both adults and young children. A minority of patients might feel a little queasy, but this should go away quickly along with the rest of the effects of the sedation.
Oral Conscious Dental Sedation
For patients who need a little extra help alleviating nervousness, Dr. Chougule can prescribe a more potent sedative in the form of a pill that you’ll take at a certain time before your appointment. By the time you’re settled into the treatment chair, you’ll feel so deeply relaxed (yet be awake) that your procedure should be a breeze. The effects of the pill may last for several hours, so you’ll need a ride to and from our dental office.