Sedation Dentistry – Arlington Heights, IL
Breeze Through Your Next Procedure
We understand that some patients feel a degree of anxiety, nervousness, or even fear when they contemplate the prospect of undergoing dental procedures. If that is true of you, you can rest assured that we want to help you have a positive experience! That is why our Arlington Heights team is proud to offer sedation dentistry. With the help of properly administered medications, you may be able to breeze through your next procedure.
Why Choose Costello & DeHart Dental Excellence for Sedation Dentistry?
- Two Types of Sedation Available
- Highly Trained Dentists and Team
- Alleviate Dental Fear and Anxiety
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a mild sedative that you inhale through a nasal mask. As you breathe it in, it induces a feeling of relaxation or possibly even giddiness. Sedation levels can be adjusted throughout your procedure so you remain comfortable, and when your treatment is complete, the effects of the nitrous oxide wear off almost as quickly as they began. Therefore, you can jump right back into your normal routine following your appointment (if the nature of your treatment does not require you to get some extra rest). We often recommend nitrous oxide for patients with mild dental anxiety and other conditions that necessitate the use of a relaxation aid.
Oral Conscious Sedation
If we determine that oral conscious sedation is right for you, we will prescribe a pill. All you have to do is swallow the medication shortly before your procedure is set to begin. The effects start within minutes, and you should feel very relaxed and possibly even a bit sleepy. Oral conscious sedation is more powerful than nitrous oxide, so we sometimes use it for patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety. The effects of nitrous oxide can linger for several hours, so it is important that you have a trusted adult available to drive you to and from your appointment.
Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is good for patients who struggle with anxiety or fear, but that is not its only application. Here are some other circumstances in which we may recommend sedation:
- You have a sensitive gag reflex.
- You have a medical condition that makes it difficult for you to stay still in the treatment chair for a long period of time.
- You need to undergo multiple procedures or complex treatment.
- It is difficult for you to keep your mouth open for long periods of time.
Before approving you for sedation, we will make sure that you do not have any strong contraindications for it. For example, it is not normally used for pregnant individuals or people with certain respiratory conditions.