Sedation Options![]() What Happens if I Ignore Oral Health Issues?Ignoring oral health issues has several significant effects on your mouth as well as your whole-body health. Most oral health issues do not resolve on their own. In fact, they only tend to grow worse over time. You may be faced with bone loss, loosening teeth, and tooth loss. Your teeth can shift out of alignment, leading to bruxism and temporomandibular joint disorder. Infections can lead to bacteria in your bloodstream, which can contribute to serious health issues like heart disease and diabetes. Getting treatment right away is essential for preventing serious issues from occurring and restoring your oral health. Why Sedation?Sedation is a way to help you relax in the dental chair, allowing you to get your dental treatments done. While sedation is commonly used for dealing with dental anxiety, it has other uses as well:
Nitrous OxideYou might know nitrous oxide better as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide is a form of mild sedation. In fact, it is the lightest, safest form of sedation available. It is an inhaled sedative. You breathe in a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a small mask that is placed over your nose. The gas goes to work very quickly. In addition to relaxing you, nitrous oxide raises your pain threshold and lowers your gag reflex. You are still completely conscious, able to answer questions and respond to requests during treatment. Once your procedure is complete, we turn the nitrous oxide off, leaving the oxygen on for just a few additional minutes. This ensures that all of the gas leaves your system. Nitrous oxide wears off very quickly, and you are back to normal almost immediately. You are even able to drive yourself home after your treatment in most cases. With sedation, you can relax and remain comfortable during your dental treatment, no matter if it is a simple cleaning and exam, or placing dental implants. Call Pacific Modern Dentistry at (206)284-4505 today for more information and to find out if sedation is right for you. |
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Monday: 7:00 AM–4:00 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM–4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM–4:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM–12:00 PM Friday: By Appointment |