Sedation dentistry in Livingston, TX

Choosing nitrous oxide or oral sedation

Which one fits you depends on the procedure, your overall health, any allergies and how nervous you feel. Timing matters too: nitrous oxide wears off soon after the mask comes off, while oral sedation can last a few hours, so with oral sedation you need a ride to and from your appointment. Ask us, and we will talk it through with you.

One of our treatment rooms: a dental chair, two stools, the instrument trays and a window with blinds

Nitrous oxide, breathed in during your visit

Nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, is mixed with oxygen, and you breathe it through a small mask that fits over your nose. You start to feel it within a few minutes. Many people feel happy and warm, and some laugh, which is where the nickname comes from. You may also feel light-headed, or notice tingling or heaviness in your arms and legs.

It calms nerves and also helps with pain during treatment.
We can turn it up or down during your visit if you feel too little or too much.
It wears off soon after the mask comes off, and you can usually drive yourself home.

Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective sedative, and we are glad to use it if you feel very nervous or would like extra pain relief during a procedure.

The Today's Dental office seen from the street, with its lawn and driveway

Oral sedation, taken before you arrive

Oral sedation is a prescribed medicine that calms your nerves. You take it about an hour before your appointment, so it is working by the time you reach our office. You stay conscious and can respond to us, but you may feel drowsy and may not remember much of the treatment afterward.

You can have it for a routine cleaning, and it can make a long or involved procedure easier to get through. Oral sedation may suit you if you:

feel very nervous at the dentist, or are afraid of dental visits
have a sensitive gag reflex
need extensive or complex dental work
find it hard to sit still for a long time

A dental chair and a stool in one of our treatment rooms, with the instrument tray beside them

Before and during your oral sedation visit

Before your treatment, we go over your medical history and the medicines you take, and we set the dose for you.
Arrange for a trusted friend or family member to drive you to your appointment and home again. The effects of the medicine can last a few hours.
We monitor you closely throughout your treatment.

Oral sedation is commonly used in dentistry, and for most people it is a safe option when the dose is set for them and they are monitored during care.

Ask about sedation when you call

If nerves have kept you away from the dentist for a while, ask about sedation when you call to set up your visit. If you request an appointment instead, ask about it when we call you back.

Questions patients ask

Will I be asleep during sedation?

No. With nitrous oxide or oral sedation you stay conscious and able to respond to us. Oral sedation can make you drowsy, and you may not remember much of the treatment afterward.

Is nitrous oxide the same as laughing gas?

Yes. Nitrous oxide is often called laughing gas because it makes many people feel happy and warm, and some laugh. You breathe it, mixed with oxygen, through a small mask over your nose.

Does nitrous oxide help with pain?

Yes. Nitrous oxide calms nerves and also helps with pain during treatment. We can turn it up or down during your visit if you feel too little or too much.

Can I drive myself home after nitrous oxide?

Usually, yes. Nitrous oxide wears off soon after the mask comes off. Oral sedation is different: someone needs to drive you to your appointment and home again.

Do I need someone to drive me after oral sedation?

Yes. Arrange for a trusted friend or family member to drive you to your appointment and home again, because the effects of the medicine can last a few hours.

When do I take the oral sedation medicine?

You typically take the prescribed medicine about an hour before your appointment, so it is working by the time you arrive.

Can sedation help with a strong gag reflex?

Oral sedation can help if you have a sensitive gag reflex. It can also help if you are afraid of the dentist, need extensive or complex dental work, or find it hard to sit still for a long time.

Is sedation safe?

For most people, yes. Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective sedative, and oral sedation is commonly used in dentistry. Before oral sedation we review your medical history and medicines, set the dose for you, and monitor you closely during treatment.

Sedation dentistry in Livingston