Offering Sedation Dentistry in the Greater Merrimack Valley

Does the thought of visiting the dentist make you feel anxious? Maybe you fear sharp objects (aichmophobia) or being enclosed in a confined space (claustrophobia). Do you have sensitive teeth or a sensitive gag reflex, or do you find it difficult to stay still for extended periods of time?

If any of this sounds familiar, you’ll want to entrust your dental care needs to the professionals at Smiles by Stylos Dental Health & Sleep Center, a trusted practice serving the Greater Merrimack Valley. We understand that many people fear going to the dentist, so to make the treatment process as easy and stress-free as possible for our patients, we offer two types of sedation dentistry: nitrous oxide sedation and oral conscious sedation.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Commonly referred to as “laughing gas,” this type of sedation dentistry works by altering pain and pleasure receptors, thereby producing a euphoric sensation. Patients remain awake while they’re having dental work completed, which allows them to answer questions and respond to the dentist’s requests.

Before beginning to work on your teeth, we’ll place a mask over your nose that will administer a mix of oxygen and nitrous oxide, and it should take only a few minutes for you to start feeling calmer. Then, once we’ve completed your dental work, we’ll switch to administering pure oxygen, which will help flush any remaining nitrous oxide out of your system. You’ll likely be able to drive yourself home from your appointment, but you may want to make arrangements with a friend or family member just in case.

Oral Conscious Sedation

If you opt for this type of sedation dentistry, we’ll prescribe you medication, which you’ll need to take orally shortly before your appointment. Once the medication takes effect, you’ll begin to feel drowsy, and it’s not uncommon for patients to fall asleep while their procedure is being performed. However, we’ll easily be able to wake you if we have any questions while we’re administering treatment. Unlike with nitrous oxide sedation, oral conscious sedation can take several hours to wear off, so you won’t be able to drive yourself home afterward.

Experience Anxiety-Free Dentistry

If you’d like to know more about our sedation dentistry services and what we can do to ease your dental anxiety, contact Smiles by Stylos today. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and schedule a time for you to consult with one of the experienced providers at our Chelmsford, Massachusetts, dental clinic. If we determine that you’re a candidate for dental sedation, we’ll recommend the type that will best serve your needs. We proudly serve the Greater Merrimack Valley, and we look forward to meeting with you.