Sedation Dentistry Downers Grove
Relax Through Your Next Dental Procedure
Does the idea of visiting the dentist make you feel uncomfortable or anxious? If so, you are far from alone. In our Downers Grove dental practice, we fully understand that many patients dislike the sights, sounds, and sensations associated with various procedures. We want to make your experience easier! That is why we are proud to offer gentle and effective sedation dentistry in the form of nitrous oxide. Hopefully, it will allow you to relax throughout your next procedure. Contact us today to learn more or request an appointment.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide involves the use of a special type of gas, which we administer through a nasal mask. Almost immediately, it can reduce fear and anxiety. We can even adjust your level of sedation throughout your procedure, so we can make sure you stay comfortable as long as we are working. And because nitrous oxide tends to wear off very quickly, you should be able to go right back to your normal routine after your appointment.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
You might be a good candidate for nitrous oxide if you:
- Are not easily numbed by local anesthesia
- Have a particularly sensitive mouth
- Feel nervous or afraid during dental procedures
- Require complex or lengthy treatment
- Have a strong gag reflex
Before your procedure, our team will also screen you for medical conditions that might bar you from using nitrous oxide. For example, it may not be right for individuals who are pregnant or who have certain allergies or respiratory conditions.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
To administer nitrous oxide, we place a small mask over your nose. Then, we use a special machine to feed a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen into the mask. As you breathe in the gases, you should quickly start to feel relaxed. You might even feel a bit giddy (nitrous oxide is also called “laughing gas”).
We can adjust the level of sedation throughout your appointment. Once we finish working, the mask will be removed, and the nitrous oxide should wear off within just a few minutes. You should be alert enough to drive yourself home.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Even though nitrous oxide wears off very quickly, we will still ask you to stay in our office for a few minutes so we can monitor you as you go back to your usual self. Some patients experience nausea or a headache after nitrous oxide sedation, but these often go away within an hour.
Although you should be alert enough to resume your normal activities, it is important that you follow aftercare instructions that are specific to the procedure you underwent. That might mean you need to rest for a while, modify your diet, or make other small adjustments until your mouth is well-healed.