How can we help you?
At our office, we believe that understanding and education can make a huge difference in the lives of our patients. Patients who learn about their dental health and take steps to be proactive have better outcomes. We will take every opportunity to discuss your dental health with you, and we will always provide information so that you can make the health decisions that are right for you.
If you ever have a question about the care you receive at our office or a dental treatment or procedure, don't hesitate to ask. You can always give us a call or contact us using our convenient online form. We've compiled a selection of the questions we are most commonly asked. Feel free to take a look. If your question isn't answered here or you need more information, let us know so we can help.
Sedation Dentistry
Because we offer sedation dentistry, many of the patients who come to our office have dental anxiety. Dental anxiety can range from mild apprehension to panic attacks. We do our best to accommodate all of the patients who come to us afraid. We appreciate the opportunity to turn your negative experiences around.
Whether you can have sedation dentistry depends on your medical history. Before we administer sedatives, we will collect a complete medical history to make sure you are healthy enough for sedation.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
For most patients, nitrous oxide is very safe and has few side effects. The exceptions are pregnant patients, patients with specific lung conditions, and if you have an inner ear infection. We also offer oral sedation dentistry. Oral sedation requires a medical prescription and before we write that prescription for you, we want to make sure that none of your other medications will interact with the sedation medication. Please bring a complete list of your medicine to your consultation so that we can make sure you are completely safe during your treatment.
If you experience dental anxiety, don’t keep it a secret! When you let us know, that means that we can take the steps necessary to help you feel comfortable for your appointment.
We understand that patients can sometimes be fearful of the dentist. Whether you have had a negative experience or just have unexplained anxiety, Dr. Jeffrey Robertson is committed to your comfort and peace of mind.
Along with exceptional patient care and compassion, some patients need something to help them relax for their appointment. That is why we offer both nitrous oxide and non-IV conscious sedation. Dr. Robertson will be happy to discuss your options and help choose the best option for your situation.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide is a safe, mild sedative that has no restrictions. It enters and leaves your system quickly, so you will not have any driving restrictions or need someone to take you home. Nitrous oxide is perfect for shorter procedures.
Oral conscious sedation is a safe, stronger sedative. It lasts longer and the sedative effects are much more intense. Oral conscious sedation will make you completely relaxed and you may not have much memory of the procedure. You will be able to talk and answer questions, but may not be completely aware of your surroundings.
Oral conscious sedation is great for people who have longer or multiple procedures planned. You will need someone to take you home and monitor your well being for the rest of the day. To learn more call Irvine Dental today!
Because some patients have severe anxiety about going to the dentist, Dr. Jeffrey Robertson offers oral sedation for your comfort. Some people have had prior dental trauma or unexplained dental phobia that makes them anxious and unable to relax for dental procedures.
While Dr. Robertson is extremely gentle and compassionate, we understand that some patients have had negative experiences in the past. Our main goal is to provide you with high-quality dentistry in a comfortable and relaxed environment. For some patients, that means they need a little help relaxing.
Pros of Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is an alternative to the traditional IV sedation used by oral surgeons for dental surgery. Oral sedation is a milder form of sedation and comes in a pill rather than an IV. While you will be completely relaxed, you will still be able to answer questions and follow instructions. Despite being conscious, you may not have any memory of your dental procedure or you may feel like it was a dream.
Many of our patients love the fact that their appointments seem to go by very quickly, smoothly, and are much more relaxing than without sedation.
In order to find out if oral sedation is a good option for you, call and schedule an evaluation. We can discuss your health and medical history to determine the best way to provide you with a relaxing and stress-free dental visit.
When a patient comes to us interested in sedation dentistry it is usually because they have had a negative experience in the past or because they have an unexplained phobia of the dentist. Don’t worry. We don’t take it personally!
Checking Your Medical History
When we consider sedation dentistry as an option for your dental treatment, we will ask you to fill out an extensive medical history. Having an extensive medical history, including any prescription drugs or health issues, allows us to ensure your safety and the efficacy of sedation for your particular case.
Once we have your medical history, Dr. Jeffrey Robertson will carefully review it, looking for any conditions or medications that might be of concern when having oral sedation.
While every drug, medical, or dental procedure has its risks, oral sedation is very safe for most healthy patients. It is milder than IV sedation and though you will still need someone to drive you home after your procedure, the side-effects are minimal. You should plan to relax for the rest of the day after you have sedation. Do not make any big decisions or operate a vehicle, for your safety and the safety of others.
You will likely find yourself completely back to normal the next day and you may have little memory of your treatment.
Nitrous oxide, in dentistry, is a form of sedation used to help patients relax during treatment. Its chemical formula is N2O and it is a colorless gas with a very light, sweet odor. When inhaled, nitrous oxide produces a sedative effect and may even create feelings of euphoria, which is how it gets its nickname, laughing gas.
Using Nitrous Oxide In Dentistry
When we use nitrous oxide in our dental office, we control the flow administered based on body size, age, and gender. We can control the amount of nitrous oxide you receive with a valve. One of the benefits of N2O in sedation dentistry is that it enters and leaves your system quickly. That means you will have very minimal residual effects once we discontinue administration.
When used under the supervision of a dentist, nitrous oxide is so safe we even use it on children. If your child is afraid, anxious, or active, nitrous oxide may help him or her to relax enough to receive their necessary treatment.
Nitrous oxide use is not just for kids, though. Many adults who experience dental anxiety find that it takes the edge off and allows them to relax during their procedures. When patients are relaxed, their overall dental experience is improved. Call our office to learn more!
Oral sedation dentistry allows us to make sure that our patients are comfortable and anxiety-free for their dental appointment. Unlike IV sedation, you will still be conscious for your procedure and able to answer questions and follow simple instructions.
For most patients, oral conscious sedation allows them to completely relax and not worry about dental fear. Because anxiety can inhibit the effectiveness of certain dental anesthetics, oral sedation can also help you to get numb easier and is a helpful tool for those patients who have a hard time getting numb.
Most of our patients report being completely relaxed with little to no memory of their dental appointment. Some patients even doze off completely while we are working. While oral sedation may not be right for every patient, it certainly helps many of ours to eliminate unnecessary anxiety from their dental experience.
Oral sedation can also be useful for patients having lengthy procedures. When you are completely relaxed, it is easier for Dr. Jeffrey Robertson to complete your dental treatment in a timely manner. That means sedation can work great for cases like multiple restorations and smile makeovers.
Scheduling Your Sedation Appointment
It is always our goal to make our patients feel completely comfortable and safe. We realize that some of our patients might require a little help to relax at their dental appointment. If you have questions about oral sedation dentistry, we encourage you to call. Our helpful team looks forward to helping put your mind at ease regarding dentistry.
When Dr. Jeffrey Robertson offers you sedation dentistry in our office, you will have a couple of options. The first option is nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Nitrous oxide can help you to relax and feel less concerned about your dental appointment. It enters and leaves your system very quickly. You will feel normal a few moments after we stop administering it.
The second option is oral conscious sedation. When you have oral conscious sedation, we give you medication in order to sedate you. Most people do not remember much of their appointment and they feel completely relaxed. Unlike with nitrous oxide, oral sedation takes a little while to work and takes time to wear off. You will feel the effects of oral conscious sedation for the rest of the day, but should feel completely normal by the next morning.
Nitrous Oxide vs Oral Sedation
With both options, you are completely conscious. The sedation we offer allows you to respond to questions we might ask and even walk around with assistance. The side effects are much milder and the medication leaves your system much more quickly than with IV sedation.
While most patients, even kids, can have nitrous oxide safely, we will ask for an extensive medical history before offering you oral conscious sedation to make sure you are healthy enough for the medication. Call Irvine Dental, the dental office of Dr. Jeffrey Robertson to learn more about sedation dentistry or to book your appointment.