Sedation Dentistry – Tukwila, WA
Pain and Anxiety-Free Dental Visits
Sedation dentistry for Tukwila, WA dentistry patients is a wonderful option for people who don’t enjoy going to the dentist or simply want to take their relaxation to the next level during their dental care. This approach is something that completely transforms how we offer dental care to our patients.
The benefits of sedation dentistry include:
- Minimizing discomfort associated with some types of procedures
- Easing your anxiety related to dental care
- Avoiding sensitivity or extended numbness of the mouth
- Minimizing the gag-reflex
- Having all of your treatment completed during one session
Why Choose Lance Timmerman, DMD for Sedation Dentistry?
- Patients of All Ages Welcome
- Same-Day Appointments Available
- Caring, Compassionate Dental Professionals
Types of Sedation Dentistry
Dr. Timmerman and the rest of our team don’t practice cookie-cutter dentistry. Each patient has unique needs, so we cater treatment to meet those needs. That’s why we offer more than just one option to keep patients comfortable and calm. We can discuss your concerns with you to determine which type will best help you have a less stressful, more pleasant dental experience.
Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry
Whether you have severe dental anxiety or you’re undergoing a complex procedure, sometimes nitrous oxide sedation isn’t enough to put you into a relaxed state. Dr. Timmerman and our team can instead use oral conscious sedation, which entails taking a pill a few hours before your appointment. By the time you arrive, you should feel completely at ease. Although the medication doesn’t put you to sleep, you will likely not be able to remember details from your visit. The effects of oral conscious sedation can sometimes last for several hours, so you’ll need to have someone drive you to and from the appointment.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide (“Laughing Gas”) is one of the most common forms of sedation used in dentistry. The gas can be safely inhaled along with oxygen to create a relaxed sensation. Effects of the gas start within the first few minutes, causing patients to feel calmer and experience warmness throughout the body, or even tingling in their fingers and toes. As soon as the procedure is complete, the patient is placed back on 100% oxygen for 5 minutes as the nitrous oxide gas clears the respiratory system. This helps a patient feel completely normal after their appointment with no lingering effects.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Our team will be more than happy to discuss whether or not you’re a good candidate for nitrous oxide sedation. In most cases, we’ll recommend this option for those who:
- Feel anxious, nervous, or scared about undergoing dental treatments
- Have trouble sitting still or keeping their mouth open
- Have a sensitive gag reflex or sensitive teeth that makes their visit uncomfortable.
- Struggle with neck, shoulder, leg, or back pain while sitting in the dental chair.
While this dental sedation is great for most people, it isn’t designed for everyone. For instance, we won’t recommend this treatment for patients who have high blood pressure, experience nasal congestion, have glaucoma, or are pregnant. Our team will discuss your medical history and overall health to determine if this is a good option for you before your treatment.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
For nitrous oxide sedation to work, we’ll first cover your nose with a small nasal mask. After mere moments of inhaling this mix of oxygen and nitrous oxide, you should start to feel light-headed, warm, and even euphoric. Although you’ll remain fully conscious throughout your visit, you’ll likely feel more relaxed and comfortable while undergoing any necessary dental procedures.
A qualified team member will constantly monitor your vitals such as your heart rate to ensure your safe, and we can adjust your levels of sedation when necessary. Once we’ve completed your treatment, we’ll remove the mask, and you should start to feel back to normal after a few minutes.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
One major reason nitrous oxide sedation is so popular is the fact that the recovery time is almost non-existent. Other sedatives can make you feel groggy or sleepy for hours after your appointment, whereas “laughing gas” can begin to dissipate rather quickly. This means you’ll be able to drive yourself home or continue with your daily schedule after your treatment is over. Some patients have reported feeling slightly nauseous after undergoing nitrous oxide sedation, but this is very rare. In most cases, you won’t experience any long-term or immediate side effects from this treatment.
Who Needs Sedation Dentistry?
There’s no checklist to find out whether or not you need sedation during your visit. We want all of our patients to be able to have access to comfort dentistry services! Even some of the most relaxed dental patients prefer to take advantage of sedation dentistry during their longer appointments to keep them comfortable.
What Happens During a Sedation Dentistry Visit?
Your sedation dentistry appointment is very simple. You are given a pill the night before treatment so that you can get a good night’s sleep (sometimes the anxiety is enough that you can’t get a good night’s sleep!). You take another pill an hour before arriving at our dental office, and another pill may be given as you are seated in the chair. You’ll begin to feel sleepy or even doze off since you’ll be so comfortable. The effects of the medication last as long as we need them to, and Dr. Timmerman will be able to provide most if not all of your dental treatment during the very same visit. This prevents you from having to return for multiple visits! After your treatment is completed, your medication will begin to wear off. You might not even remember anything about the appointment at all! Many sedation dentistry medications are amnesiacs, which means you’ll likely forget anything that actually happened.
Who is a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
We literally offer sedation dentistry options to all of our healthy patients. It’s ideal for those who need more complex care, lengthy treatment plans, or are simply nervous about dental care. We invite you to ask us about our sedation options and which one is right for you when you visit us at our Seattle dental office.
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