Sedation Dentistry – Jonesboro, AR

Who Is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide can be a viable option for patients of all ages. We might recommend it if you:

• Are nervous or afraid of having dental work performed.
• Are uncomfortable with needles.
• Are unable to sit still for the duration of your dental appointment.
• Have a strong gag reflex.
• Have sensitive teeth or gums.
• Are resistant to the local anesthetic that is normally used to numb your mouth.

Before we can confirm that you’re a candidate for nitrous oxide, we need to make sure that you don’t have any disqualifying circumstances. For example, if you have a sinus infection or a respiratory disease, nitrous oxide may not be a good option for you. It’s also not recommended if you’re pregnant since it could potentially pose some risks to the fetus while it’s still developing.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work? 

There is little to no preparation needed for nitrous oxide. Once you’ve gotten settled in the dental chair, we will place a small mask over your nose. The mask will be connected to a special machine that releases nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen. Within a few minutes of breathing in this mixture, you’ll enter a relaxed state where the sights and sounds of our practice won’t bother you. Many patients feel euphoric or sleepy while under the effects of nitrous oxide.

You will still be awake during your treatment, allowing you to answer questions or follow any instructions we might give you. After the mask is removed, it will only take a few minutes for the effects of the nitrous oxide to fade away.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide

You will be asked to wait at our office for a few minutes until we’re sure that the nitrous oxide has worn off entirely. Afterward, you should be alert enough to drive yourself home or back to work.

By itself, nitrous oxide won’t require you to spend any time resting; you can just return to your normal routine right away. That said, patients who have any kind of invasive dental work done might need to plan on taking it easy for a couple of days. Make sure that you follow any aftercare instructions to the letter, and please give us a call if you start experiencing any concerning or unexpected symptoms.

What is Oral Conscious Sedation?

Oral conscious sedation is a method we use to help patients feel relaxed and comfortable during dental procedures. It involves giving a sedative medication, typically in pill form, which you take before your appointment. The medication helps reduce anxiety and induces a calm, drowsy state, but you remain awake and responsive. We commonly recommend oral sedation for patients with dental anxiety, sensitive gag reflexes, or those undergoing more extended or complex treatments.

Unlike general anesthesia, where you're completely unconscious, oral conscious sedation lets you stay aware of your surroundings. However, you may not fully remember the procedure afterward due to its amnesic effect. Since the sedation effects can linger, we advise having someone drive you to and from the appointment to ensure your safety.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work? 

Oral conscious sedation works by using medication to relax the central nervous system, reducing anxiety and inducing a calm, relaxed state without causing unconsciousness. The sedative, usually a benzodiazepine like diazepam or triazolam, interacts with receptors in the brain that regulate anxiety and sedation. When you take the medication—typically 30 minutes to an hour before your appointment—it begins to slow brain activity, making you feel calm and sometimes slightly drowsy.

While you remain awake and able to respond to questions or instructions, you’ll likely experience reduced awareness of sensations, minimizing discomfort or fear. We monitor you throughout the procedure to ensure your safety and comfort.

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

A good candidate for oral conscious sedation is someone who experiences significant anxiety or fear around dental visits, making it challenging to receive necessary care comfortably. It's especially beneficial for patients with heightened sensitivity to pain, a strong gag reflex, or difficulty sitting still for long procedures. Additionally, those who need extensive or multiple treatments in one visit often find oral sedation helpful, as it allows us to work efficiently while they remain relaxed.

Candidates should generally be in good health, as certain medical conditions, allergies, or current medications may limit the suitability of oral sedation. We always conduct a thorough review of each patient’s medical history to ensure safety and compatibility with sedation options. If you want to know more about whether you’re a good candidate for this treatment, reach out to us for a consultation today!

What is IV Sedation?

When you arrive for your procedure, we’ll set up the IV to deliver the medication directly into a vein in your arm. Similar to nitrous oxide, IV sedatives can be adjusted throughout your treatment to ensure you remain comfortable. Once the medication begins taking effect, you’ll feel a relaxing wave hit you, and while you’ll remain conscious throughout your procedure, many patients rarely remember much about their visit.

While you are sedated, Dr. Yarnell, who is an expert at administering sedation, can complete one or more procedures. As with all sedation, your comfort and safety are our primary concerns. Vital signs are closely monitored throughout your care, and you are given plenty of time to recover in the office before you leave.

Who is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?

The best candidates for IV sedation are those who require lengthy or extensive oral surgeries or procedures. The medication will help you comfortably sit through your visit as well as dampen any heightened anxiety or fear you may feel whether that’s associated with visiting the dentist in general or receiving certain procedures.

It can also be helpful for patients who have a very sensitive gag reflex or neuromuscular disorders that could make sitting with your mouth open for long periods of time painful or uncomfortable. Before we administer IV sedation, we’ll conduct a thorough review of your dental and medical history as well as collect a list of any medications you’re taking to ensure it’s safe for you.

The Benefits of IV Sedation

If you believe you could be a good fit for IV sedation, learn some of the additional benefits you’ll be able to enjoy from investing in your comfort:

• Minimize stress and negative memories of the dentist by reaching a state of deep relaxation.
• Get the dental procedures you need to keep your oral health on the right track despite your nerves or fear.
• Feel safe under the close monitoring of our skilled and trained staff throughout your visit.
• Experience near-immediate effects since the medication is administered directly into the blood stream.

Is sedation dentistry safe?

Sedation is a perfectly safe option for most patients. Before deciding whether or not to administer sedation, Dr. Yarnell will go over your medical history and current medications. When you are sedated, your dental team will closely monitor your vitals at all times to ensure that you are safe throughout the entire duration of your treatment.

Does dental sedation put you to sleep?

Sedation dentistry is sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry,” but it doesn’t literally put you to sleep. Because your memories of being sedated will likely be fuzzy, it may feel like you fell asleep even though you will remain conscious and able to respond to your dental team during your procedure. With oral conscious sedation and IV sedation, you may be groggy to the point where you temporarily doze off, but your dental team can gently nudge you awake.

Will I remember anything with dental sedation?

Even though you are technically awake with most forms of sedation, chances are that you won’t remember much of your procedure. IV sedation is more likely to make you forget your procedure than oral conscious sedation and nitrous oxide. The memory loss effect that sedation has can make getting dental care easier for patients with extreme anxiety or negative past dental experiences.

Does dental sedation make you tell secrets?

Contrary to popular belief, dental sedation doesn’t act like a “truth serum.” It is highly unlikely that you will reveal any deep, dark secrets while you are sedated. Even if you did happen to say something you normally wouldn’t while you are sedated, you can rest assured that it will be kept within the walls of the dental treatment room.