A dental patient reclines in a chair while a dental professional places a nitrous oxide sedation mask over her nose.

3 Ways to Prepare Before Your Sedation Dentistry Appointment

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Scheduling a sedation dentistry appointment in Indianapolis, IN, is the first step toward comfortable dental care. This level of treatment works exceptionally well for patients who struggle with dental anxiety or need more extensive procedures. To ensure your appointment goes smoothly, there are a few things you can do to prepare in advance.

Follow Guidance About Pre-Appointment Medications

Before your visit, the dentist will give you instructions about what medications to take on the day of your appointment if you have everyday prescriptions. Some medications can interact with the anesthesia or even prevent it from working properly. Be sure to follow these guidelines closely, and also avoid smoking and alcohol, as these can also affect sedation processes.

Wear Comfortable Clothing and Bring Comfort Items

Much like when you are going to sleep, the goal is to be as comfortable as possible. Tight-fitting clothing, ill-fitting clothing, or even shoes with a heel can be problematic during or after sedation. Opt for joggers or leggings paired with a comfortable shirt and shoes, and don’t hesitate to bring comfort items with you to the appointment, such as earplugs, sunglasses, or otherwise.

Plan for Travel Arrangements Post-Appointment

Depending on the type of sedation, you may feel groggy after your appointment. Therefore, driving may not be recommended for at least a few hours. To make sure you are not left trying to find a ride after treatment or waiting out your grogginess in your vehicle, be sure to plan and make travel arrangements as needed.

Learn More About Sedation Dentistry in Indianapolis, IN

Sedation dentistry can be a good fit for many patients, and the best dentists in Indianapolis, IN, make this an option for patients. Reach out to Indiana Emergency Dental if you would like to schedule a consultation.

A person with closed eyes lies on a chair, wearing a blue and white nasal mask while a gloved hand adjusts the device.

Sedation Dentistry for Special Needs Patients

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A trip to the dentist can mean anxiety for anyone. For those with special needs, however, it can come with unique challenges. They might experience sensory sensitivities, for example, that may be triggered by spending even a few minutes in the dental chair, which can be traumatic. Sedation dentistry in Indianapolis, IN., is a valuable tool because it helps create a more tolerable environment for those with special needs.

The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

The goal of sedation dentistry is to calm a patient, allowing them to remain still while in the dental chair. Under sedation, patients are more cooperative during dental procedures, allowing them to have a better experience while in the office. A more positive experience when visiting your sedation dentist in Indianapolis, IN., means there will be less anxiety before the next dental appointment, too, so it has far-reaching benefits.

In some cases, sedation dentistry is the only way a person with special needs can get the care they need, from regular cleanings to more extensive dental work. That is critical not only to their dental health but also to their overall health.

What Types of Sedation Dentistry are Available for Special Needs Patients?

Sedation dentistry options at Indiana Emergency Dental range from mild sedation to general anesthesia. Some of the common choices include:

  • Inhaled gas sedation – This typically involves inhaling nitrous oxide for a mild level of sedation.
  • Oral sedation – A pill that the patient takes about an hour before the procedure
  • IV moderate sedation – IV medication delivered via a catheter for moderate sedation
  • General anesthesia – IV medication that provides complete sedation, so the patient is unconscious during the dental procedure.

Our dentist will work with caregivers and patients to determine the best choice in each circumstance.

The sedation dentists in Indianapolis, IN, are available to answer any questions you may have about sedation during dental care for patients with special needs.

A person with closed eyes lies on a chair, wearing a blue and white nasal mask while a gloved hand adjusts the device.

What Is Nitrous Oxide? Common Questions And Answers

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If you have dental anxiety, your dentist in Indianapolis and Bloomington, IN may recommend sedation dentistry. For many patients, this means breathing in nitrous oxide during their dental appointment.

If you’ve never had nitrous oxide before, you probably have questions about how nitrous oxide works, what it is, and why it helps. Below, we’ve listed some common questions and answers about nitrous oxide.

What Is Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is delivered to patients through a mask during dental appointments. Nitrous oxide causes a feeling of calmness and even euphoria during the appointment. Nitrous oxide is one of the most common forms of dental sedation.

Who Benefits From Nitrous Oxide?

Dentists often recommend sedation dentistry for patients who experience dental anxiety. If you’re about to undergo a long and uncomfortable dental appointment, your dentist may recommend nitrous oxide to make the experience better.

Can You Drive After Having Nitrous Oxide?

Yes, you can drive after having nitrous oxide. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off almost as soon as you stop breathing it in.

Does Nitrous Oxide Stop Pain?

Nitrous oxide doesn’t stop pain, but it can make you indifferent to low levels of pain. If your dentist expects your procedure to be painful, they may recommend numbing the area.

Does Nitrous Oxide Put You To Sleep?

Nitrous oxide does not usually put patients to sleep.

Do you have more questions about nitrous oxide and sedation dentistry in Indianapolis and Bloomington, IN? Call today! We can help. We happily answer patient questions about sedation dentistry and their dental procedures generally. If you think that you could benefit from sedation dentistry, talk to your dentist before your next dental appointment.

A young woman with curly hair wearing a pink t-shirt stands against a white background, looking concerned and touching her face with one hand.

3 Tips to Face Your Dental Fears

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Facing your dental fears is far from simple for most people. If you’re particularly anxious in the dentist office, you may even be tired of the same advice. Below, we’ll look at a few considerations behind the advice and three tips to help you get the appointment over with.

1. Schedule Your Appointment Quickly

Ideally, you’ll be able to schedule the appointment both as quickly as possible and, whenever possible, in the morning. Without the sword dangling over your head, you may not have as much anxiety build up. This tip can be tough if you have a very busy dentist, so you might want to consider how an emergency dentist in Indianapolis, IN could be a solution.

2. Bring a Loved One

You might be nervous about asking a loved one to go with you to the dentist, but keep in mind the alternative. Failing to go to the dentist can end in anything from root canals to tooth extractions to oral cancer. Even if it’s inconvenient for a friend or a family member, you’re still better off asking for help.

3. Consider Sedation Dentistry

If you can’t get someone to get with you, sedation dentistry in Indianapolis, IN may be an alternative way to help you calm your fears. Known as something of a catch-all, sedation dentistry can involve anything from oral medication to nitrous oxide to help you get through the appointment. If you’re interested in how dosing or sedation dentistry works in the modern age, the staff at Indiana Emergency Dental is here to answer your questions.

A woman in a dental chair looks anxious with her mouth open as a dentist wearing gloves holds dental instruments near her.

What Should I Know About IV Sedation At the Dentist’s Office?

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If you have severe dental anxiety or are about to undergo a long and uncomfortable procedure at the dentist in Indianapolis IN, you may benefit from IV sedation. At Indiana Emergency Dental, we help patients decide whether IV sedation is the best option.

In this article, we’ll review the important things to know about IV sedation. If you think you may be a good candidate for sedation dentistry, we can help. Contact our dental professionals to find out more about using sedation dentistry at your next dentist’s appointment.

What Is IV Sedation?

Sedation dentistry is the use of sedation during a dental procedure. Sedation dentistry can help people with dental anxiety get through their dental appointments. IV sedation is a form of conscious sedation. During IV sedation, the sedative medication is administered to the patient through an IV that injects the sedation directly into the patient’s vein.

During the dental appointment, you may still be aware of what’s going on, but you’ll feel very calm. You’ll have no memory of pain or discomfort. You may not even remember much about the appointment at all. Many people who get IV sedation fall asleep while the appointment is happening.

Who Needs IV Sedation?

You may be a good candidate for IV sedation if you’re about to undergo a long and uncomfortable dental procedure. You may also be a good candidate for this type of sedation if you have serious dental anxiety.

At Indiana Emergency Dental, we offer dental IV sedation in Indianapolis IN. Call us to make your next dental appointment.

A woman sits in a dental chair, wearing a dental bib and smiling at the camera in a modern dental office.

When Can I Return to Work After Sedation Dentistry?

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Finding time to go to the dentist on a regular basis can be challenging. For many, it means having to take a vacation day and then spending that time in a dentist’s chair. But many dental treatments can be done during your lunch hour, and then you can return to the office; all without using up those precious vacation days! If you’re worried about returning to work after sedation dentistry in Indianapolis, IN, you should know that it won’t be a problem in most cases.

Sedation Dentistry is Mild

The idea of sedation in dentistry is to help you relax. It’s not intended to knock you unconscious like anesthesia does! Unless you happen to be very sleepy, you’ll be fully awake. The sensation is similar to how you might feel after a glass of wine or a relaxing soak in the tub.

Individual Response Varies

Of course, everyone responds to sedation dentistry differently. If you feel groggy-headed afterward, it’s probably best to wait another hour before returning to work. If you work in a job where you operate or are near heavy machinery, such as a distribution warehouse, you may want to either take the afternoon off work or schedule your dental visit on a non-work day.

Your dentist in Indianapolis, IN will talk to you after your dental treatment is over. If there are any indications that there are residual effects from the sedation dentistry, you and your dentist can discuss the best course of action. It’s possible that you’ll want someone else to drive you home if you don’t feel as alert as you do normally.

In most cases, by the time the dental treatment is over, the sedative will have worn off. If you have any questions, or you’d like to schedule your next dentist visit, please contact us today!

A woman receives nitrous oxide sedation through a mask while lying in a dental chair, attended by a professional wearing purple gloves.

5 Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

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Are you facing a major dental procedure? Sedation dentistry can help. It can give you peace of mind as you go into the procedure. Here are some reasons why sedation dentistry benefits your oral health.

1. Your Comfort

Even though we have a gentle touch, some dental procedures are a bit uncomfortable. When you are comfortably sleeping throughout the procedure, you have less discomfort. You drift off to sleep, then wake up with the procedure complete and your mouth healthier.

2. Reduced Stress

If you feel stress and anxiety about dental procedures, sedation dentistry can help lessen that. At Indiana Emergency Dental, we want you to be stress-free when you visit us, even if you have a dental emergency. In addition, the sedation has a calming effect, so if you come into our clinic with some anxiety, it may lessen as soon as we administer sedation.

3. Controlled Gag Reflex

Going to the dentist can be hard if you have a strong gag reflex. Even if you aren’t afraid, your natural reflex may create problems for you. When you go under sedation, your gag reflex is no longer a concern.

4. Save Time

You can have complex dental work done all at one time in many instances. This can save time, requiring fewer visits to the dentist for procedures. It can also reduce the amount of time you’re dealing with the discomfort from your oral health problems.

5. Improved Oral Health

If you avoid the dentist because of fear or anxiety, the option for sedation density can help you visit more often. That, in turn, can lead to improved oral health.

You don’t have to face anxiety and fear over the dentist. Indiana Emergency Dental offers sedation dentistry to make it easier for you. Contact us today to learn more!

A child receives dental treatment while wearing a nitrous oxide mask; a dental professional wearing gloves uses dental tools.

What’s Nitrous Oxide? Do I Need It During My Dental Appointment?

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If you have dental anxiety, your dentist may offer to provide sedation during your dental visit. Most dentists start by offering nitrous oxide, the mildest form of sedation. Nitrous oxide can be an important tool for dentists to help their patients stay comfortable during dental procedures.

As your dentist in Indianapolis, IN, we’re happy to provide you with information about nitrous oxide, so you can decide if this type of sedation dentistry is right for you.

1. What is nitrous oxide? How is it used in dentistry?

Nitrous oxide is a colorless gas delivered to dental patients through a mask they wear throughout the procedure. During the procedure, the dentist monitors the dosage and adjusts it accordingly. Nitrous oxide is sometimes called “laughing gas” because patients who take it experience a feeling of euphoria.

2. What are the benefits of nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide has many benefits, including:

  • Takes effect quickly
  • Wears off fast
  • Patients who take nitrous oxide can drive themselves home after the procedure
  • Easy to administer, no needles required
  • Patient remains conscious during the procedure

3. Who needs nitrous oxide?

You may benefit from nitrous oxide if you have dental anxiety that prevents you from visiting the dentist or if you have anxiety that makes your visit to the dentist especially uncomfortable.

Your dentist will most likely suggest sedation dentistry in Indianapolis, IN if you’re a good candidate for it. However, if you have questions and think that you could benefit from using nitrous oxide during your dental appointment, call your dentist at Indiana Emergency Dental. We’ll be happy to answer your questions.

A dentist wearing glasses and a mask examines a patient’s mouth using dental tools.

3 Things to Know About IV Sedation for Your Dental Treatment

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Sedation dentistry is an important service that allows patients to undergo more complex dental procedures or see the dentist even if they have dental anxiety. IV sedation is one option that dentists have when practicing sedation dentistry.

As your dentist in Indianapolis, IN, we’re here to answer your questions about IV sedation and how it can be used in your upcoming dental treatment. Here’s what you need to know.

1. What is IV sedation dental treatment?

IV sedation dentistry is dental care that occurs while the patient is under IV sedation. IV stands for intravenous, which means your healthcare provider delivers the sedative directly to your bloodstream through an IV line. This type of sedative is the strongest form of sedation dentistry.

2. Who needs IV sedation dental treatment?

You may need IV sedation dentistry if you have an extreme fear of visiting the dentist or if you’re about to undergo a lengthy dental procedure. Your dentist will let you know if this type of dental sedation is right for you.

3. What is IV sedation dental treatment like?

During this type of sedation dentistry, your dentist will monitor your vitals and adjust your dosage throughout the procedure. You will probably fall asleep while under sedation, and when you wake up, you will likely have no memory of the dental procedure at all.

Think You Need Sedation Dentistry? Call Today

Not everyone needs IV sedation during dental treatments, and there are many other types of dental sedation available. If you think that you need sedation dentistry in Indianapolis, IN, your dentist at Indiana Emergency Dental can help you determine which type is right for you.

A person with closed eyes lies on a chair, wearing a blue and white nasal mask while a gloved hand adjusts the device.

What’s the Best Type of Dentistry Sedation?

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Sedation has been used in dentistry for more than a century. Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, has been a popular way to help people relax during some of the more extreme dental procedures. Today, thanks to advancements in medication, there’s a whole branch ofsedation dentistry in Indianapolis, IN. 

If you’re wondering which one is the best, it comes down to what you’re looking for out of the experience. We’ll look at what’s available and how you can make a better decision.

The Main Types of Sedation

Sedation can include any of the following methods:

  • Nitrous oxide: Still used today, nitrous oxide is mild and wears off fast. However, it may not work for people with extreme anxiety aboutdentists in Indianapolis, IN.
  • Oral sedation: Typically an anti-anxiety pill, oral sedation is good for patients who will be in the dentist’s chair for more than two hours. Oral sedation will take a while to wear off, so you may need a friend or family member to take you home.
  • IV: IV is the closest thing you can get to general anesthesia, making it good for those undergoing difficult procedures. The drawback is that IV sedation can have more side effects than the other options, though a reputable dental practice will be able to monitor the dosage, so there are fewer complications.

See a Sedation Dentist in Indianapolis, IN 

It’s not abnormal to be nervous about scheduling, going to, and sitting through an appointment. There are people who will avoid the dentist for even the most routine procedures. In this case, any kind of sedation is the right decision. If you want to learn more about how sedation dentistry can be the bridge you want, contact Indiana Emergency Dental today.