Sedation Dentistry – San Ramon, CA

What is Oral Conscious Sedation?

Oral conscious sedation is a wonderful option for patients who want something more effective than nitrous oxide but don’t like to feel incredibly heavy restfulness. Instead of a light and tingling feeling, or making you fall asleep completely, oral conscious sedation provides the perfect balance for those with moderate dental anxiety. This type of sedation comes in the form of a small pill that you’ll take before arriving to our office. As soon as you get to your dental appointment, you will begin to feel the sedation start to kick in.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

Once your appointment is scheduled, we will provide you with a prescription for oral conscious sedation. This is a small pill that is taken about one hour before your appointment (unless we tell you otherwise). Next, your sedation dentist in San Ramon will ensure that you feel relaxed in the dental chair, and they will monitor your vitals, including heart rate, oxygen levels, and more.

Before your dental treatment starts, we will check to see that your sedation level is right and you’re feeling at ease. While this type of sedation doesn’t put you to sleep, many patients end up dosing off because they are so relaxed. That said, we can wake you with a gentle tap on the shoulder, and you’ll be able to respond to any questions we may have. Patients often don’t remember exactly what occurred during their appointments, which is usually preferred for those with dental anxiety. Plus, patients report that time goes by quicker than normal. Because these effects can linger, we recommend that someone drives you to and from our San Ramon office.  

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

We typically recommend oral conscious sedation for patients with moderate dental fear or anxiety. It provides the perfect sense of calm for these patients because it’s stronger than nitrous oxide but weaker than IV sedation. This treatment is effective for patients who want to mentally and physically “check-out” during their dental appointments. However, oral conscious sedation is also terrific for those who have an overactive gag reflex or trouble keeping their mouth open while in the dental chair. Even if you wouldn’t necessarily consider yourself scared of the dentist, this service is great if you’ve had a recent traumatic experience and want to just relax.  

Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

If you have mild to moderate nerves, anxiety, or fear when it comes to visiting the dentist, nitrous oxide may be the perfect solution for you. It’s also a solution for kids who are still getting used to going to their dental appointments. Additionally, you may be a candidate for nitrous oxide sedation if you have:

• A strong gag reflex
• Difficulty holding your jaw open
• Back or neck pain
• Tooth sensitivity
• Jaw pain

Usually, we won’t recommend nitrous oxide if you’re pregnant, have high blood pressure, or glaucoma. We will always review your medical history and discuss your needs before offering sedation as an option.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?

Nitrous oxide is known as “laughing” gas because it makes you feel light, relaxed, and even a little giggly. This form of sedation is a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen, which is administered through a comfortable nasal mask that is worn at your appointment. During sedation, you will simply breathe as you normally would. Nitrous oxide is fast-acting, allowing you to enjoy its effects almost immediately. We will often place the mask on before your treatment even starts so you can get used to the sedation.

Nitrous oxide doesn’t put you to sleep, however you may reach a deep enough level of calm that you dose off. If this occurs, we can wake you with a light tap on the shoulder. You may feel slightly lightheaded or experience tingling in your arms and legs, but you’ll be comfortable and calm overall.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide

One of the best parts of nitrous oxide is that it does not cause any lingering side effects. Once we remove your nasal mask, the effects of sedation will wear off almost immediately. Our sedation dentist in San Ramon will ask you to hang around just a few minutes to ensure your safety. Also, you can drive yourself to and from our office without any worries, and you’ll be able to resume your day-to-day activities. That said, it’s vital that you follow any specific recovery instructions that we give you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!

Am I a good candidate for sedation dentistry? 

If you struggle with dental-related anxiety, have been putting off necessary dental work because you’re scared of the dentist, or you have trouble staying relaxed in the treatment chair, then you may be a candidate for sedation dentistry. Of course, the best way to find out is by talking to our San Ramon sedation dentist directly. During your appointment, Dr. Deol will sit down with you to learn more about any medications you’re taking or any medical conditions you have. After reviewing your medical history, they will be able to determine if sedation dentistry is right for you.

Is sedation dentistry safe? 

Yes! Decades of research have found that sedation is perfectly safe. Not only will our dental team sit down with you one-on-one to determine your candidacy, but we will also monitor your vitals throughout your appointment, including your blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart rate. Plus, Dr. Deol has extensive experience and has participated in several highly advanced training programs. So, you can have peace of mind knowing you’re in good hands.

Will I remember anything with dental sedation? 

That depends on the type of sedation you choose. With IV sedation, there is a good chance you will forget your procedure. For more mild forms, like nitrous oxide, you may still have some difficulty remembering your time in the treatment chair, even though you were awake. This is often an added perk since it helps patients with dental-related anxiety form a more positive association with going to the dentist!

Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance? 

While dental plans vary, many consider dental sedation a “luxury.” As a result, they don’t usually cover the cost. Naturally, there are some exceptions. For example, if a disability prevents you or a loved one from getting the dental care you need (i.e., cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s, autism) or you need extensive treatment (like several tooth extractions), there is a chance your provider will cover a portion of the cost. So, it’s always a good idea to confirm with your dental insurance carrier beforehand.

Does dental sedation make you tell secrets? 

Although many people think that dental sedation acts as a “truth serum,” that’s not the case. Even if you were to say something while under sedation, our dental team will keep it within the walls of the treatment room.