Sedation Dentistry

Many patients get nervous at the very thought of visiting a dentist for a routine consultation. The common misconception is that most dental procedures are painful, such as getting a tooth extracted from the mouth. But this isn't true. Dentists are highly trained professionals who undergo years of practice. They carefully evaluate your oral condition and take all the necessary steps to ensure you do not experience pain or discomfort during the treatment.

What are the sedatives used in dentistry?

In dentistry, we use sedatives to ease the patients' nerves when they seem too anxious during the treatment. In some instances, a slightly higher level of sedation is required to induce deep sleep and numb the oral tissues of the patient. Some of the commonly used sedatives are as follow:

Nitrous Oxide: Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative that is used to induce a sense of calmness in the patient. It is also known by its common name, laughing gas, as it makes even the most ordinary things seem funny. The dentist places a mask on your mouth and nose through which a small amount of nitrous oxide will be supplied. Upon inhaling it, the sedative starts to take effect in a few minutes. It doesn't have any side effects and usually wears off within a few minutes.

IV sedation: This type of sedation is usually used in the case of more complicated procedures, such as dental implantation, bone graft, gum graft, etc. The sedative is directly injected into the vein, which is how it has a stronger effect lasting for a long time. Patients are suggested to bring anyone along to drive them home after the procedure, as the drug takes some time to wear off.

Please schedule an online appointment or call us at (813) 999-1092 to have a consultation with Dr. Gubernick, and we will be happy to help.