Are You Anxious About Dental Treatment?
For some patients, the mere thought of visiting the dentist is enough to cause a panic attack. This condition is called dental anxiety and it can be very serious when it prevents someone from seeking the dental care they need.
We want all out patients to feel relaxed and safe at all times in our office — that’s why we offer sedation to help you feel comfortable in the dental chair. Explore our range of sedation options to learn which one is best for you.
Contact Our Dental Practice in Cortland, Ohio
Please note we are not a provider for Medicare or Medicaid *
Procedures That Often Use Sedation
For general dental cleanings, sedation will only be used for patients with extreme anxiety. However, sedation is common for more intensive surgical procedures, such as placing dental implants and treating periodontal disease.
If you’re unsure whether sedation is available for any procedure that you’re undergoing, Dr. Bedich will be happy to answer all your questions.
Sedation Options
For the comfort and convenience of our patients, we offer the following options for sedation:
Nitrous Oxide
Commonly referred to as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is a gas that you inhale through a small nasal mask. Within seconds, you’ll experience a euphoric sensation that will help you stay calm for the procedure. You’ll remain awake and responsive, though you likely won’t remember your treatment after waking.
The effects of nitrous oxide wear off almost immediately after you stop breathing it, so recovery time is very minimal.
Oral Conscious Sedation
For this method, Dr. Bedich will give you a pill to take in advance of your appointment. By the time you arrive at our office, you’ll feel relaxed and ready for treatment. Though the medication will make you feel drowsy, most patients remain awake throughout their procedure.
The effects of oral conscious sedation can take hours to wear off. Because of this, you’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment.
IV Conscious Sedation
Another option is to administer your medication intravenously at the start of your treatment. This way, Dr. Bedich can monitor and adjust your sedation level as needed, keeping you conscious and able to respond to basic requests. As with other methods, you won’t remember your treatment after waking.
Though IV sedation starts to work immediately, it can take several hours for the effects to wear off. As a result, you’ll need a ride to and from our office.
Deep Sedation
In rare cases, typically for complex procedures that take a long time to finish, we have an anesthesiologist on call who can provide deep sedation. This is the only option that actually puts you to sleep, leaving you unconscious through the duration of your treatment.
If this method is used, you’ll definitely need a ride to and from your appointment — you also may need to stay in the hospital briefly after waking to ensure the effects have worn off completely.
Explore Sedation Dentistry with Dr. Bedich
If you’re interested in sedation dentistry, contact our practice in Cortland, OH and schedule a consultation with Dr. Bedich. We’re conveniently located in Trumbull County, just 20 minutes from Warren.