Many people experience dental anxiety and there are ways for them to overcome it. Two of the methods used by dentists to keep such patients calm are intravenous or IV sedation and the use of happy gas. Happy gas is actually nitrous oxide which is also called laughing gas.
Sedation dentistry is one of the services offered by dental services Cleveland and you can reach out to their dental clinic to know more about the methods they use and whether you are eligible for them. When it comes to happy gas or nitrous oxide, it has to be inhaled and this will keep the patient calm during the dental procedure. This is a form of mild sedation. The effect of the happy gas happens very quickly once it is inhaled through the nose. A mask will be placed over your nose and the level of sedation will be controlled by the dentist. There is a light feeling of happiness that is created by nitrous oxide which is why it is called the happy gas. You will be kept conscious and responsive throughout the entire procedure so you will have a good idea of what is happening around you. And once the gas is stopped, the effects will wear off quite quickly. So you will have a quick recovery which will allow you to drive after the procedure. This is a good option to consider if you have mild to moderate anxiety. But it will not be sufficient for somebody with severe anxiety or if the procedure that you are going in for is very complex and invasive.
IV sedation offers a deeper level of relaxation compared to happy gas.
This is where the sedative medications are administered directly into the bloodstream and this is used for patients that have severe anxiety. It is used for more extensive procedures as well. An IV line is used to administer IV sedation and this allows for precise control of the dosage. The patient is deeply relaxed but they will be conscious of what is going on. The patient will feel drowsy and some might not remember the procedure once the effects wear off. The recovery time is longer compared to happy gas so you will need somebody to accompany you to the dental clinic and back home. You need to arrange transport as you will not be able to drive on your own.
If you have severe anxiety, IV sedation is the option for you.
However, you need to know that the effects of IV sedation can persist after the procedure so you will feel quite groggy afterwards. In addition to your level of anxiety, the complexity of the dental procedure being carried out will be considered in deciding which option is best for you. Your personal preferences will also be taken into account. Generally, for minor procedures like having a filling done or teeth cleaning, happy gas will be sufficient. But deeper relaxation will be required for complex procedures like wisdom teeth extraction and oral surgery.