Will I Be Sedated for My Procedure?

If you’re nervous about getting dental work done, you’re not alone. But missing important dental checkups or procedures can compound the problem if dental issues are left untreated. 

The American Dental Association encourages you to speak up if you have dental anxiety. Speaking up may ease your mind simply by allowing you to understand the procedure more thoroughly. In some cases, speaking up opens the door to sedation dentistry. 

Sedation dentistry is designed to help you relax so you get the dental care you need. At Chelsea Dental Aesthetics, serving the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City, Dr. David Blaustein and our team are experienced in administering various types of sedation. 

If you have upcoming dental work scheduled, you might wonder if you’d benefit from sedation. In this article, we explore the reasons you might consider sedation dentistry and your options.

When to consider sedation dentistry 

Sedation dentistry is sometimes called sleep dentistry — but not because you’re asleep during your procedure. (The only anesthesia that puts you into an unconscious sleep is general anesthesia.) Sedation dentistry relaxes you to such a degree that you could fall asleep. 

That’s the key: Sedation dentistry relaxes you and calms your nerves, which makes for a much better dental experience for you.

You might consider sedation dentistry if you:

• Have anxiety over visiting the dentist
• Have sensitive teeth
• Need a lot of dental work done
• Have a strong gag reflex
• Feel nervous or anxious about your impending procedure
• Have difficulty sitting still during procedures

Sedation dentistry is especially useful if fear of the dentist is keeping you from getting the care you need.

Will you be sedated?

There are several factors to consider before this question can be answered. We take the following information into account:

• What procedures you need
• Your overall health
• Medications you’re taking 
• Any history of allergies 
• Your anxiety level 

Sedation options at Chelsea Dental Aesthetics include nitrous oxide (i.e., laughing gas) and oral sedation. Sedation can be useful for a variety of procedures, from filling cavities to root canals.

Keep in mind that even if you opt for sedation dentistry, you still receive a local anesthetic. Sedation dentistry doesn’t mask pain; it just helps you relax during your procedure. Together, the local anesthetic and sedation ensure your mental and physical comfort during your appointment.

Choosing the right sedation method

Your comfort is our priority, and that’s why we offer sedation options. Depending on your dental needs, we can recommend the right type of sedation for you. 

Nitrous oxide is safe, effective, and wears off quickly, allowing you to drive yourself home after your procedure.

If you need more extensive dental work and can arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home, you may opt for oral sedation instead. Oral sedation must be planned in advance since you take the medication prior to your procedure. 

If you’d like to learn more about sedation or explore your options, call our Manhattan office at 917-633-7312 or book your appointment online.