Many adults avoid visiting the dentist because of feelings of anxiety or fear. At Nawrocki Dental, our team wants to make your experiences with us as comfortable as possible, and that’s why Dr. Gary Nawrocki offers several techniques for sedation dentistry here in Cocoa Beach, FL. Contrary to popular belief, most sedation options don’t actually put patients to sleep – instead, they help create a much more relaxed atmosphere for the patient while allowing them to remain conscious enough to respond to our requests throughout the procedure. Contact us today if you’d like to schedule your first appointment!
Why Choose Nawrocki Dental of Cocoa Beach for Sedation Dentistry?
State of the Art Safety Protocol
Variety of Services in One Location
Friendly, Gentle Dental Team
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Here are just some of the valuable benefits of choosing sedation dentistry:
It relieves negative emotions like fear and anxiety.
The process is extremely safe, with very few side effects.
Procedures may seem to go by faster for patients.
Our team can provide multiple procedures over the course of a single appointment.
What are the Types of
Sedation Dentistry?
Our dental office has a variety of sedation options available for our patients. These options include:
Oral Conscious Dental Sedation
If you’re uncomfortable with needles, oral conscious sedation may be the right choice for you. We’ll prescribe oral medication that patients will take prior to their treatment, which dulls the senses and helps you forget the associated noises, smells, and sensations of the dentist’s office.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Have you heard of laughing gas? That’s nitrous oxide! This calming form of dental sedation has been used for decades to help patients with everything from dental-related anxiety to a sensitive gag reflex. So, if you struggle with either or you need extensive restorative care, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us so we can determine if you’re a good candidate. If you want to learn more in the meantime, you can read on as well.
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
There are numerous uses of dental nitrous oxide in Cocoa Beach, including helping patients who:
Need extensive dental work, like multiple tooth extractions
Struggle with mild dental-related anxiety
Have a fear of needles
Have a sensitive gag reflex
With all of that said, we need to review your medical and dental history before determining if you’re a good candidate. If you’re pregnant, you’re allergic, or you have a condition that makes it difficult to breathe through your nose, then we will need to explore other options.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
If we determine that nitrous oxide is right for you, then we will add it to your treatment plan. The day of your appointment, we’ll help you settle comfortably into the treatment chair and position the nasal mask comfortably in place. Then, we will begin the flow of nitrous oxide. Since it’s a colorless, odorless gas, you won’t notice anything until the effects start to kick in. Patients often report that their mood is pleasantly elevated. It’s normal to experience some tingling and numbness as well.
Important reminder: Nitrous oxide does not put you to sleep. You will be awake throughout the procedure, but time will feel like it’s going by quicker since you’ll be completely relaxed.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
One of the many perks of nitrous oxide is that patients don’t have to deal with lingering grogginess and drowsiness. Instead, the effects wear off within a matter of minutes, allowing them to quickly resume their usual routine. All we ask is that you keep any aftercare instructions related to the treatment you received in mind, like keeping your head elevated, using a cold compress, and taking OTC pain medication as directed.
Sedation Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions
Have you never received sedation dentistry before? Feeling nervous about the process? Don’t fret, Nawrocki Dental understands what you’re going through and wants to help however it can! If you have questions, we encourage you to give our most frequently asked ones a look yourself down below. And, if you have other concerns regarding sedation you’d like to discuss, you can give us a call any time and we’ll do our best to provide you detailed answers ahead of your next appointment.
Who is sedation dentistry for?
Sedation is ideal for those who experience varying levels of anxiety, but it’s far from the only group that can benefit from its use. For example, you may want to consider sedation dentistry if you have:
Experienced panic attacks induced by dental treatments
A fear of needles
A low pain tolerance
Difficulty sitting still for long periods of time
A long procedure planned
Difficulty getting numb following anesthesia
A sensitive gag reflex
Sensitive teeth or gums
Nausea induced by the smells associated with dental offices
Does sedation provide pain relief?
While sedation itself doesn’t really provide pain relief, our dental office does use it in tandem with anesthesia. This is what we use to effectively remove any sensations that could be felt during specific procedures. Anesthesia used alongside sedation, whether it be nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation, is a fantastic way to create the most relaxing and pain-free dental experience possible.
Will I remember my dental treatment?
If you intend on receiving oral conscious sedation as part of your care, it’s very unlikely that you will remember much of your appointment, if any of it at all. In some cases, patients have even fallen asleep due to how relaxed they feel. However, this is not the same thing as being put into an induced coma, which is typically done in hospitals. If you choose nitrous oxide instead, there is a possibility that you remember some of your treatment, even if it is a little fuzzy or fragmented.
What side effects are associated with sedation?
Sedation dentistry is completely safe, but there are a few side effects that can occur. For example, you may notice:
Dry mouth during or following your appointment
Brief periods of amnesia
Mild headaches and nausea
The sensation of feeling “groggy,” which is by far the most common symptom
How can I prepare for my sedation?
The sedation you receive will help you feel very relaxed, but it also helps to wear loose-fitting clothing. This is especially important if you plan on completing a procedure that will take a long time to complete. Additionally, you will need to have someone drive you to and from the dental office if you plan on receiving oral conscious sedation, the more powerful sedative we provide. Following your visit, you should avoid operating a vehicle or other heavy machinery for at least 24 hours. You’ll want to have someone looking after you just as a precaution. Those who plan to receive nitrous oxide can expect its effects to dissipate quite rapidly after the nasal mask it is administered through is removed.
