Sedation Dentistry in Las Vegas

The National Institutes of Health states that up to 36% of the American population fears going to the dentist, and 12% suffer from extreme dental fear. For most people, this condition comes from a fear of feeling pain during treatment. For this reason, the team at Vegas Dental Experts in Las Vegas provides sedation dentistry. 

Not all sedation is the same! We are one of the few offices in the entire State of Nevada that offer every level of sedation at our practice. Come find out the sedation option that is medically correct for you. 

Learn more about what sedation dentistry is and how it can help you forget you were ever here!

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry refers to the use of mild sedation while providing dental services. It consists of a moderate level of sedation that allows you to remain conscious but also feel calm. Some people call this “twilight sleep” or “conscious sedation” dentistry because it can create a state of short-term amnesia during which you don’t feel pain. 

Sedation dentistry can be very helpful for people undergoing dental treatments. It is best suited for people with the following conditions:

• Special needs
• Dental anxiety
• Fear of needles
• Extreme tooth sensitivity
• Fear of visiting the dentist
• An overly sensitive gag reflex
• Trouble controlling movements
• Decreased sensitivity to local anesthesia
• Claustrophobia that the dental chair can trigger

Sedation dentistry may be an effective option for people of all ages. It allows you to receive the treatment you need without any of the usual stress that might come with it. 

Types of Sedation

To help you feel at ease as you get the dental care you need, Vegas Dental Experts offers a few different types of sedation. The right one for you will depend on your particular needs, and we will always let you know what we’re using before we do so. 

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, is a colorless gas with a sweet smell. It provides relief from pain and anxiety to help put you at ease. You inhale the nitrous oxide through a mask or nosepiece, and the calming effects can begin within three to five minutes. 

Throughout the procedure, we monitor and adjust the dosage and level of sedation to ensure that you have the most pleasant experience possible. Once we finish the procedure, we provide pure oxygen to help flush the nitrous oxide from your system. 

One of the benefits of nitrous oxide is that because it leaves your system so rapidly, you are able to drive yourself home after the procedure. It is an easily administered option as well, and it is minimally invasive. For people with a fear of needles, this can be an excellent option. 

Conscious Oral Sedation

Dr. Harvey Chin also offers conscious oral sedation as part of sedation dentistry. Conscious oral sedation involves the use of medications that work as sedatives, usually in pill form, about an hour before the procedure begins. 

The most common options we use for conscious oral sedation include:

• Triazolam
• Zaleplon
• Lorazepam

For children, we use oral syrups like midazolam to make the administration of the sedative easier. 

Oral sedation can make you tired, and you can even fall asleep. You will still be able to communicate with us, however, and we can easily wake you with a nudge. Conscious oral sedation can affect your motor skills and memory, so you will need to have someone drive you home after the procedure. 

Intravenous Sedation

For more complex procedures that require deeper sedation, we can bring in an anesthesiologist. Intravenous sedation involves delivering sedatives right to your bloodstream. 

During this type of sedation, we will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and other vitals to make sure that you’re safe. We can adjust the sedation levels at any time, and we can also use reversal medications if necessary. 

For people with severe dental anxiety, intravenous sedation may be the best option. 

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry can offer benefits for you as well as for us. It can help you remain calm during the procedure, which lets us work faster. This can mean shorter appointments — and fewer of them. 

Some people have so much fear of dental procedures that they avoid getting the help they need for years. By knowing that you don’t have to feel any discomfort or anxiety because of options like sedation dentistry, you can visit us regularly to prevent problems and maintain your oral health. 

If you have a sensitive gag reflex, some oral procedures can be uncomfortable. The gag reflex can even lead to injuries since the spasms can lead the muscles to contract around tools. Sedation dentistry stops your gag reflex throughout the procedure. 

Of course, sedation dentistry also offers pain relief. There’s no need for you to feel anything at all as we perform your procedure. 

Additionally, sedation can keep you calm. For those with anxiety or phobias, it can make their dental procedures much less stressful. 

Before Sedation Dentistry

When you schedule your free consultation with us, Dr. Chin will ask you a number of questions about previous experiences with dental procedures as well as about your medical history. If you take any medications, be sure to let us know. 

Depending on the type of procedure you will undergo, your health, anxiety levels, and other considerations, Dr. Chin will make the best decision on the type of sedation dentistry for you. 

During this first consultation, we can also answer any questions you may have about the procedure, and we can let you know about our various payment options. 

Unless we advise you not to, you should continue taking all of your medications as usual. For most types of sedation, you want to avoid eating or drinking anything for at least six hours before your appointment. If you take any blood thinners, be sure to let us know so that we can tell you whether to continue. 

The Day of the Procedure

On the day of your procedure, we’ll administer the sedative before the treatment begins. If you are receiving conscious oral sedation, we will provide the medication about an hour before to give the sedative time to work. 

During the procedure, you will still receive local anesthetics to numb your teeth and gums, but Dr. Chin will wait until you feel comfortable to administer them. 

After the Procedure

If you received nitrous oxide, you can drive yourself home after your procedure is complete. You will not experience any effects from this type of sedation once we flush it out of your system with oxygen.

For the other types of sedatives, however, you will need to have someone take you home. You may still feel a bit drowsy. It’s important to ask someone you trust to take you home, where you can rest and allow the medication to leave your system. Avoid taxis or rideshares. 

Maintain Oral Health in Las Vegas

Stress and anxiety about going to the dentist can prevent you from getting the regular checkups you need, negatively impacting your oral health. In cases like these, sedation dentistry can be a significant help. By using nitrous oxide, conscious oral sedation, or intravenous sedation, our team can put you at ease. 

At Vegas Dental Experts in Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Harvey Chin brings the expertise he has gained over 40 years to every dental service he provides. With some of the leading tools and techniques at his disposal, he can deliver the care you need. 

Call us today to schedule a free consultation.