At Lakeview Smiles in Chicago, IL, we prioritize providing our patients with dental care that is both comfortable and stress-free. We understand that dental appointments can trigger anxiety or fear for some patients, and our mission is to shift this perception by offering a safe, calm, and worry-free dental experience.
We offer sedation dentistry as a remarkable solution for those who dread the thought of a visit to the dentist. We utilize various sedation methods to help you feel relaxed and comfortable throughout your dental procedure, no matter how long or complex. These techniques not only alleviate discomfort but also help us perform more procedures in fewer visits, ensuring that you can maintain your oral health without disrupting your busy schedule. Read below to learn more!
What Is Dental Sedation?
Dental sedation refers to the use of medications to help patients relax and feel comfortable during dental procedures. It ranges from minimal sedation, where you are awake but relaxed, to general anesthesia, where you are completely unconscious. It’s a practice designed to alleviate any discomfort or anxiety you may feel, making your dental experience as comfortable as possible.
The Importance Of Dental Sedation
Many people experience dental anxiety or phobia. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons people avoid dental appointments. Dental sedation offers a solution, ensuring that you remain calm, relaxed, and comfortable during the procedure. Not only does this mean a more pleasant experience for you, but it also allows our dental professionals to work more efficiently, leading to improved outcomes.
Determining Your Need For Sedation
At Lakeview Smiles, we evaluate your need for sedation on a case-by-case basis. We take into account various factors like your overall health, the type and duration of the procedure, and your level of anxiety or fear.
Our team is committed to tailoring a sedation plan that is as unique as your smile, providing the support you need to maintain your oral health with ease.
Types Of Dental Sedation
Different procedures and patient needs call for different types of sedation. At Lakeview Smiles, we offer a comprehensive range of options to suit diverse needs.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective sedation method widely used in dentistry. It is breathed in through a mask that fits over your nose, allowing you to feel relaxed and comfortable throughout your dental procedure. The gas works by inducing a feeling of tranquility, and its effects are felt almost immediately after inhalation.
What’s wonderful about nitrous oxide is that its effects wear off just as quickly as they onset, usually within minutes after the gas supply is stopped. This means that you can safely drive yourself home after your dental appointment.
As with all dental procedures, our professional team will thoroughly discuss your medical history and any potential risks to ensure nitrous oxide is a good choice for you.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation, as the name suggests, involves the administration of sedative drugs orally, typically in pill form. This type of sedation is an excellent choice for patients who experience anxiety or fear associated with dental visits. Depending on the dose given, the effects can range from minimal to moderate sedation.
- Under minimal sedation, you’ll be relaxed yet fully awake, whereas, under moderate sedation, you might feel drowsy and even drift off into a light sleep but can still be easily awakened.
It’s important to note that the sedative effects of oral sedation take longer to wear off compared to nitrous oxide, so you’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home post-procedure. Our dental team will carefully evaluate your health history and present condition before deciding if oral sedation is right for you.
IV Sedation
IV sedation, or intravenous sedation, is another effective sedation technique we use at our dental practice. During this process, sedative drugs are administered directly into the bloodstream through a vein, typically in your arm or hand. This method allows for a deeper state of sedation, and its effects are almost immediate. While you may feel like you are in a deep sleep, you are actually in a state of extreme relaxation and can respond to verbal cues.
IV sedation is often used for longer, more complex dental procedures or for patients with high levels of anxiety. Unlike nitrous oxide and oral sedation, the effects of IV sedation can last for several hours after the procedure, so it is required that you arrange for someone to drive you home.
As always, our team will evaluate your health status and discuss your sedation options to ensure IV sedation is the right choice for your dental care.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is a type of sedation that renders you completely unconscious during your dental procedure. This form of sedation is typically reserved for extensive surgical procedures or for patients who have extreme dental anxiety, certain disabilities, or an inability to remain still.
Administered through inhalation or an intravenous (IV) line, general anesthesia requires advanced monitoring of your vital signs and is usually facilitated by an anesthesiologist or a specially trained dental anesthetist. With general anesthesia, you won’t experience any discomfort or have memory of the procedure. It’s crucial to understand that the effects can last for a few hours after the procedure, and you will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for a while until the effects completely wear off.
As with all types of sedation, our team will conduct a thorough review of your medical history and discuss your sedation options to determine if general anesthesia is the best choice for you.
Embrace Comfort With Sedation Dentistry
At Lakeview Smiles, our sedation dentistry practices are designed with one goal in mind—to provide a peaceful, comfortable dental experience tailored to your unique needs. With our diverse sedation options and a compassionate team at your side, every step towards that beautiful smile will be one of comfort and confidence.
Step into the world of comfortable dentistry at Lakeview Smiles today. Your journey toward a healthier smile starts here!