Sedation Dentistry

Sedation Dentistry in Tucson

Here at Southern Arizona Periodontics, we want all of our patients to feel comfortable during their stay with us, which is why we offer sedation options. We understand that some patients have anxiety and even fear when it comes to dental procedures but with sedation dentistry options, we can give everyone a comfortable and relaxing experience that they deserve. From conscious sedation to deeper forms or sedation, we have you covered!

Local Anesthetic

A local anesthetic is not a sedation option, but it is certainly worth noting when the discussion about dental anxiety is brought up. We use a local anesthetic to numb the parts of the mouth that we will be working on, to ensure that our patients don’t experience pain or discomfort. We always go above and beyond to make sure that our patients will have a fantastic trip!

We can apply a topical anesthetic for those who are worried about needles. Topical numbing agents are usually applied as a gel, and numb the area enough that the patient will not feel the needle containing the more thorough local anesthetic.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is often called laughing gas because it gives patients a feeling of levity and calmness. Laughing gas is applied with the help of a nose mask, which sits over your nose and pumps a steady mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. When we apply nitrous oxide, we will make sure you are comfortable in the chair and place the mask over your nose. We will start the nitrous oxide mixture flowing and leave you alone for between ten and fifteen minutes to allow the drug to take effect.

Those who experience nitrous oxide often report a warm feeling and their limbs becoming heavier. Tingling and warmth are other common and enjoyable sensations that nitrous oxide produces. It’s common to feel the urge to laugh while under the influence of nitrous oxide.

One of the benefits of nitrous oxide is that the effects wear off quickly when we administer a mixture of mostly oxygen to your mask. Some patients respond more intensely to sedation so we always recommend bringing a friend or family member with your to any appointment where you will be sedated.

IV Sedation

Intravenous sedation is a common form of sedation that is administered directly into the vein of the patient. Using IV sedation, we can help our patients achieve a deeper level of sedation than we would with something like nitrous oxide. IV sedation is still considered conscious sedation even though most patients will not remember most of or any of the procedure after it is done. During the procedure, most patients are still able to respond to requests. IV sedation requires some recovery time following the procedure in our office.

Following Sedation

We recommend bringing a friend or family member with you to any appointment where you will receive sedation. They will be able to drive you home and ensure your continued comfort once home.