Sedation Dentistry – Bedford, VA

Helping You Conquer Your Dental Fears

Dental-related anxiety is a very common problem among patients of all ages, and it’s one that our team takes seriously. The last thing we want is for you or your loved ones to skip much-needed care because of these emotions – that’s why we work hard to create a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere with plenty of amenities.

Dr. Owen and Dr. Wolf have both completed a comprehensive and rigorous training program in sedation dentistry through DOCS Education. This certifies them to help the people in our community with this beneficial treatment. You no longer have to be afraid of the dentist. In addition, we often complete your treatment in a single visit so you do not need to lose work hours thanks to sedation dentistry in Bedford, VA.

If you’re in need of additional help to feel at ease, sedation dentistry is available as well for patients from Forest, Smith Mountain Lake, Goode, Moneta, Thaxton, and beyond. Contact PeaksView Dental today to schedule your first visit!

Woman with healthy smile after sedation dentistry

Why Choose PeaksView Dental for
Sedation Dentistry?

Two Types of Relaxing Dental Sedation
Team of Friendly and Caring Dental Experts
Variety of Services Under One Roof

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Some dental anxieties are milder than others. If you only need a little bit of help staying calm during your appointment, we can administer nitrous oxide sedation during your next visit. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can put you in a state of euphoria throughout the course of your treatment. Unlike oral sedation, nitrous oxide sedation wears off quickly. After the treatment ends, you’ll only have to wait a few minutes to recover to the point where you’ll be able to drive home by yourself. Until then, here's what you should know about this form of sedation dentistry.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide is one of the most common forms of sedation used in dentistry because virtually all patients can be eligible. Not only is it effective, but it’s also safe for children to older adults—making it incredibly versatile for those wanting to undergo dental care while comfortable and relaxed. Nitrous oxide, otherwise known as “laughing gas,” is usually recommended for those who:

Feel anxious or fearful of dental appointments
Struggle with sensitive gums, teeth, or gag reflex
Have shoulder, neck, back, or other discomfort while sitting down for too long
Have difficulty with numbing medication

Patients who are breastfeeding, suffer from nasal congestion or have certain medical conditions may not be eligible for nitrous oxide. Of course, our team will evaluate your medical history and any issues you might have to determine if this treatment is right for you.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?

Simply put, you will receive nitrous oxide sedation via a nasal mask, allowing you to easily breathe in the odorless and colorless gas. This medication is meant to help slow down the brain so that you can be in a more euphoric or dream-like state while undergoing your dental treatment. In some instances, patients may start giggling due to their increased relaxation, hence the nickname “laughing gas.”

With this form of sedation, you’ll remain completely conscious throughout your appointment. This means you’ll easily be able to follow and respond to simple instructions and questions from our team. A qualified staff member will also closely monitor your vitals and adjust the level of nitrous oxide as necessary to ensure you’re comfortable and safe during your treatment.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide

One of the best things about nitrous oxide is that its effects have an extremely short recovery period. After we’ve removed the nasal mask, you should feel back to normal just as quickly as the sedative kicked in. Not only does this mean you won’t have to arrange for a friend or family member to take you to and from your appointment, but you can also resume your daily schedule right after your visit.

Of course, our team will want to ensure that you’re safe from any temporary effects like nausea, fatigue, or dizziness. Once we’ve confirmed that you’re in good condition, you’ll be free to go on about your day while following any treatment-specific guidelines on how to maintain your dental care results.

Oral
Conscious Sedation

Dental patient taking oral conscious dental sedation pill

More than a million people have gotten around their fear of seeing the dentist with a safe and effective treatment called oral conscious sedation. These treatments make it possible for patients with dental phobias to remain comfortable during dental treatments.

After a careful review of your medical history, our dentist will choose an appropriate sedation method to meet your needs. This will allow you to sit calmly through your dental procedure, and you will probably have little or no recollection of it the next day.

What Is Oral Conscious Sedation

Pills

Oral conscious sedation raises a patient’s pain threshold and lowers their awareness of what is going on around them, allowing them to undergo oral health procedures comfortably despite any dental phobias. Oral conscious sedation involves no needles or face masks, and it is often recommended for adults who are nervous, anxious, or fearful of seeing the dentist as well as those who have a strong gag reflex. These treatments usually take the form of a single small pill (common examples include Valium, Ativan, and Halcion) to be ingested before the patient’s appointment. The effects of the pill will typically kick in within fifteen minutes or so, depending on which medication is used.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

Dentist treats patient

Since the effects will last through the whole appointment, you will need to have a trusted person to escort you to and from the dentist’s office. Oral conscious sedation will leave you feeling calm and deeply relaxed, but you will still be able to respond to instructions. Many patients are happy to report having no memory of their appointments after these effects wear off. Our team will carefully monitor you throughout the entire process to make sure that you are safe and well, and the dosage will be carefully controlled so that you won’t have to worry about receiving too much or too little medication.

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

Lady thinks something over

You may be an excellent candidate for oral conscious sedation if you meet some of the following criteria:

You are anxious, fearful, or nervous about seeing the dentist.
You frequently cancel or reschedule dental visits for fear of receiving bad news.
You are troubled by negative experiences with previous dental visits.
You have a sensitive gag reflex that makes dental treatments difficult.
You are scheduled to receive multiple treatments or a single lengthy treatment in one appointment.
You have trouble sitting in the dentist’s chair or holding your mouth open for prolonged periods.
Local anesthesia does not adequately numb you.

Sedation Dentistry FAQs

Is sedation dentistry safe?

For most patients, sedation dentistry is a perfectly safe solution. In fact, most people handle nitrous oxide with no issues, and out of all the sedation options it is the safest for the largest amount of people.

Before determining whether you are a good candidate for sedation, your dentist will review your medical history and current medications (both prescription and OTC) to determine if there will be any negative interactions.

While under sedation, your dentist and dental team will closely monitor your vitals (including heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels) to ensure that you are safe for the duration of the procedure.

Is sedation dentistry safe for kids?

If your child is afraid of the dentist, sedation dentistry can help relax them so they can receive the care they need and reduce their risk of having dental anxiety later in life. This can lead to healthier smiles during adulthood!

Nitrous oxide is the type of sedation that is most frequently used with children; however, oral conscious sedation may be used in the case of severe anxiety or if the child has physical or mental impairments that could make dental care uncomfortable or unsafe.

Be sure to notify your dentist about any medications your child is taking, as well as any medical conditions they may have.

Often, nausea is the only side effect of sedation. To limit your child’s risk of this, be sure to limit their food and fluid intake before their procedure.

If your child is receiving oral conscious sedation, it may be several hours after their procedure before the effects to wear off, so be sure to pay close attention to them during this time.

Is sedation dentistry safe while pregnant?

The drugs involved in dental sedation can pass on to the fetus through the placenta. Using sedation during your first trimester may also lead to problems with your child’s development.

Sedation during the third trimester may encourage premature labor.

Sedation is typically safest during your second trimester; however, most dentists recommend that invasive dental procedures that require sedation wait until after pregnancy if possible.

Should you require sedation while pregnant, it is best to use the minimal amount and type possible to make you comfortable. Most often, this means nitrous oxide over other methods.