I’m Nervous About My Upcoming Periodontal Procedure…

We understand having a periodontal procedure can make some patients nervous. We want all of our patients to be comfortable so we do offer three different types of sedation.

Laughing Gas

Laughing gas is a safe and effective sedative agent that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose to help you relax. It is sometimes called “laughing gas,” and is not intended to put you to sleep. You will be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions the dentist may have. Your dentist will ask you to breathe normally through your nose, and within a few short minutes you should start to feel the effects of the laughing gas. You may feel light-headed or a tingling in your arms and legs. Some people say their arms and legs feel heavy. Ultimately, you should feel calm and comfortable. The effects of laughing gas wear off soon after the mask is removed. There are no diet restrictions before and no need for a driver after.

Oral Sedation

For some patients, oral sedation is more effective in helping with nerves. There are several medications that can be prescribed prior to your procedure and are taken the night before or an hour before treatment. These medications provide deeper relaxation and sometimes amnesia of the procedure itself. These medications are not intended to put patients to sleep, and patients retain their ability to breathe on their own. Since the level of sedation with this method is deeper than laughing gas, and the effects of the medication can last longer, patients will need escorts to their visits and cannot drive themselves.

What is IV Conscious Sedation?

IV conscious sedation, also known as “twilight sleep,” is a type of anesthesia that is administered intravenously, through your vein. During the procedure, a small tube or catheter is inserted into the vein and our periodontists are able to control the amount of sedative needed to produce and maintain a relaxed state.
Amazingly, with IV conscious sedation, patients are able to respond to verbal commands and can breath without a ventilator. The level of anxiety drops down substantially, and most patients do not even remember their procedure.
The IV method of sedation is the most profound level of sedation we provide.

Things To Know Before the Procedure

There are a number of things you should be prepared to know and do before any IV sedation. For example, you will need a responsible adult to drive you home, and they will need to be present before surgery is started. You will also not be able to work or operate hazardous machinery for 24 hours after surgery. All of our instructions are listed on our website.
IV conscious sedation is extremely safe, and our periodontists are qualified to perform this in both our Tampa and New Port Richey offices. It is a pain and worry-free way of improving your oral health, and will ensure that your procedure goes well.

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