Lee and Van Mieghem DDS
Family Dentists located in Lynnwood, WA
Have you had a traumatic experience in a dentist’s chair? Are you anxious before an appointment? At Joseph Van Mieghem DDS in Lynnwood, Washington, Dr. Joseph Van Mieghem strives to make you as comfortable as possible. For patients with anxiety, sedation dentistry may be the answer to calming your nerves and providing you with a positive experience.
Sedation Dentistry Q&A
What is sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry, often called “sleep” dentistry, allows you the opportunity to relax with the help of medication during your dental procedure. You can opt to be fully awake, but sedated, or more heavily sedated, but not quite asleep. The providers at Joseph Van Mieghem DDS offer safe and effective sedation options to ensure you don’t experience anxiety or pain, whether you’re having a routine cleaning or a more complex procedure.
What types of sedation are available?
NITROUS OXIDE
Nitrous oxide, sometimes called "laughing gas," is one option for feeling more comfortable during specific procedures. As a safe and effective sedative, it’s inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose.
Nitrous oxide is not intended to put you to sleep. You can hear and respond to any requests or directions from your dentist.
You may feel lightheaded or a tingling in your arms and legs. Some patients say their arms and legs feel heavy. Ultimately, you should feel calm and comfortable. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off soon after the mask is removed.
ORAL (CONSCIOUS) SEDATION
There are a variety of sedation medications that are taken orally or sublingually (under the tongue). All sedation medicines are administered at the office under the care of a provider.
This type of sedation does require that you have a driver to bring you home from your appointment, as it takes several hours for the medication to completely wear off.
What are the benefits of sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry offers you a way to eliminate anxiety and fear before and during any dental procedure. For some patients, sedation allows the dentist to complete several hours of dental work in one appointment.
If you’re wary of being utterly asleep during a procedure, sedation dentistry provides the option to be awake and responsive, in case your dentist needs to ask you questions or inform you of what’s happening during your procedure.
To learn more about your options for sedation dentistry, book an appointment online today.