Sedation Dentist – Little Ferry, NJ
Making Your Dental Worries Disappear
As hard as our Erin Dental team works to assuage every dentistry patient’s worries about being at the dentist, we understand that some dental patients need a little extra help feeling relaxed in the treatment chair. In these cases, we may recommend sedation dentistry. Our safe dental sedatives put you in a deeply relaxed state that makes receiving your dental care incredibly easy. To find out more about sedation dentistry or schedule your appointment, we invite you to contact our dental office today to chat with our sedation dentist in Little Ferry, NJ about your dental sedation options!
Why Choose Erin Dental for Sedation Dentistry?
- Small, Close-Knit Dental Team
- Experienced Dentist Fluent in English & Spanish
- Customized, Comfortable Treatments
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Dentists around the world have used this safe, effective, and convenient method of sedation for over a century now, but you might know it by a different name: laughing gas. It earned this nickname because it helps anxiety float away, leaving a light, euphoric feeling in its place. As a result, you’ll be completely calm throughout your time in the treatment chair. If this sounds like the solution you’ve been looking for, then schedule a consultation with our Little Ferry dental team or read on to learn more!
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is the mildest form of dental sedation, but it’s still incredibly effective at alleviating anxiety. It’s also useful for patients who:
- Have a strong gag reflex
- Experience head/neck/jaw pain in the treatment chair
- Don’t like the sights, sounds, and smells of the dental office
- Can’t sit still for long periods of time
- Need extensive dental work, like multiple tooth extractions
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Administering nitrous oxide is quite simple. After you arrive at our office and settle comfortably into the treatment chair, a helpful member of our team will place a nasal mask over your nose. Then, they’ll ask you to breathe as you usually would through your nose. It will only take a few minutes for you to feel the effects set in, creating a calm, relaxing sensation. Since you won’t be asleep, you can ask questions and respond to verbal cues easily – we can even adjust the flow of the colorless, odorless gas to ensure that you stay completely comfortable and at ease.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Unlike other dental sedation options, there isn’t any lingering grogginess with nitrous oxide. At the end of your treatment, we will switch to just oxygen and allow the effects to dissipate naturally. Usually, this takes only a few minutes. As a result, you can get back to your daily life right away!
Note: If there are any aftercare instructions specific to the treatment you received, then we will provide you with those before you leave to ensure you know how to navigate the healing process. That said, you’re more than welcome to reach out to us with any questions you have – we’re here to help!
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is sedation dentistry safe?
For most patients, calming solutions like nitrous oxide are perfectly safe. Of course, we will need to review your medical history and any medications you’re taking at your initial visit. That way, we can determine if you’re a good candidate!
Important reminder: If you have a condition that makes it difficult to breathe through your nose, like asthma, or you’re pregnant, then nitrous oxide is not ideal. Don’t worry – we will still work together to find a way to give you the calm, comfortable, and positive experience you deserve at our office.
Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance?
Usually, sedation dentistry is classified as a “luxury” by dental insurance providers and, therefore, is not covered. That said, there are some exceptions! For example, patients who have cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s, or another disability that makes it virtually impossible to get the dental care they need without it may not have to pay anything out of pocket. Ultimately, the best thing to do is read through the fine print on your plan and reach out to us if you need any assistance.
How long does dental sedation last?
The answer depends on the type of sedation dentistry in question. While oral conscious sedation typically lasts for several hours, the effects of nitrous oxide dissipate almost instantly. This is a huge benefit because patients don’t have to deal with lingering grogginess, use more of their valuable PTO, or arrange for a trusted adult to drive them to and from their appointment!
Does dental sedation make you tell secrets?
You don’t have to worry – sedation dentistry doesn’t act as a truth serum; it’s very unlikely that you will reveal any deep, dark secrets during your time in the treatment chair. Plus, even if you did share something you usually wouldn’t, you can have peace of mind knowing that it won’t leave our office.
Can dental sedation make you sick?
That’s very rare with mild sedatives, like nitrous oxide. With that said, don’t hesitate to let our sedation dentist near you know if you’re prone to feeling nauseous. That way, they can determine if you would benefit from an anti-nausea drug or if fasting prior to your visit is necessary.
Is sedation dentistry worth it?
If you have to pay for the cost of sedation dentistry out-of-pocket, you might be wondering if it’s really worth it. If you usually dread your visits due to dental anxiety, a sensitive gag reflex, a fear of needles, or anything else, then the answer is “yes!” After all, nitrous oxide allows you to completely relax while we work to maintain, restore, and enhance your smile, making your experience positive each and every time.