Sedation Dentistry – Lincoln, NE
Your Comfort Is Always Our Top Priority
Does visiting the dentist make you feel anxious? Have you avoided dealing with dental problems because you are worried treatment will be too painful? If so, you have come to the right place! At South Ridge Dental, we are committed to providing quality dental care in a comfortable and welcoming environment. That is why we offer sedation dentistry in the form of nitrous oxide. Dental sedation can help ease your nerves and ensure pain-free treatment.
If dental anxiety or phobia is preventing you from getting the dental treatment you need, contact our team of sedation dentists today!
Why Choose South Ridge Dental for Sedation Dentistry?
- Highly-Skilled & Experienced Team
- Friendly, Down-To-Earth Dental Office Atmosphere
- State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
What Is Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is a sedative gas that is commonly used to help patients undergo extensive dental treatment or overcome dental anxiety in Lincoln. Also known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a mask that is placed over the nose.
If you receive nitrous oxide from our dentists at South Ridge Dental, you will quickly feel extremely calm and at ease. Nitrous oxide will not put you to sleep, but instead it will erase all your worries and may even give you a mild euphoric feeling.
Once the effect of nitrous oxide has fully set in, your dentist will begin performing the planned treatment. You will remain conscious throughout the procedure and will be able to respond to any questions or comments from your dentist.
The Benefits of Nitrous Oxide for Patients
In addition to calming nerves and increasing patient comfort during oral surgery and other dental treatment, the use of nitrous oxide has a wide range of benefits, including:
- Very safe – When administered by a qualified sedation dentist in Lincoln, nitrous oxide is an extremely safe and effective means of managing pain and anxiety.
- Fast acting – The effect of nitrous oxide can be felt almost instantly once you start inhaling and is fully developed in just a couple of minutes.
- Easily administered – No needles necessary! Nitrous oxide is easily administered through a comfortable breathing mask.
- Quick recovery – The effect of nitrous oxide begins to wear off as soon as the mask is removed and you stop inhaling the gas. Unlike other dental sedatives, patients can typically drive themselves home after treatment with nitrous oxide.
- Minimal side effects – Most patients do not experience any negative side effects of nitrous oxide!
Am I A Good Candidate?
Most healthy adults can safely be sedated under the supervision of an experienced sedation dentist in Lincoln. If you have heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, or a respiratory disease, you may need to seek clearance from your doctor first before undergoing dental sedation.
Generally speaking, you may be a good candidate for sedation dentistry if you:
- Need extensive dental treatment or oral surgery
- Feel anxious when visiting the dentist or panic when a dentist places instruments in your mouth during a dental exam
- Have difficulty sitting for long periods of time
- Have a strong gag reflex that could interfere with dental treatment
Is Nitrous Oxide Safe for Children?
Nitrous oxide is recognized by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as a safe and effective way to sedate children who need dental treatment. Sedation dentistry is often ideal for young patients who are afraid of undergoing dental procedures or of visiting the dentist in general. Nitrous oxide can also help children who need extensive dental treatment, have trouble sitting still, or have a strong gag reflex that could interfere with the successful completion of the dental procedure they need.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
If you’ve never heard of nitrous oxide before, it’s understandable if you have questions on how it works or if it’s even right for you. South Ridge Dental remains dedicated to informing you to the fullest extent, which is why we encourage you to look over our frequently asked questions below on the subject. You just might find the answer you’re looking for ahead of your next appointment! If not, please feel free to give us a call directly.
Is nitrous oxide safe for children?
Nitrous oxide is recognized by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as a safe and effective way to sedate children who need dental treatment. Sedation dentistry is often ideal for young patients who are afraid of undergoing dental procedures or of visiting the dentist in general. Nitrous oxide can also help children who need extensive dental treatment, have trouble sitting still, or have a strong gag reflex that could interfere with the successful completion of the dental procedure they need.
Will I remember anything with dental sedation?
The memory loss aspect that often accompanies sedation is especially ideal for those who struggle with dental appointments due to the stimuli that comes with dentistry. Even though you’re technically awake with most forms of sedation, chances are you won’t remember much of your procedure. In some rare cases, patients end up dozing off for a bit after they receive their sedation. If this occurs, we’ll gently wake you up so you can follow any instructions necessary to complete your treatment.
Will I feel any pain with dental sedation?
Nitrous oxide can suppress your body’s ability to register pain, making your treatment even more comfortable overall. In the event you do notice any discomfort, it’s more likely to translate into pressure rather than pain. Keep in mind that it’s not uncommon for our team to administer a local anesthetic to specific areas of your mouth even if you’re receiving nitrous oxide ahead of your procedure. This works to numb the treatment area so you do not feel any sensations as our team works on your smile.
Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance?
In most cases, dental insurance plans will categorize sedation dentistry as “luxury” treatments, similar to cosmetic procedures. That means they are rarely covered. With that said, there may be exceptions depending on the patient’s unique circumstance. For example, if a patient has a disability that makes dental treatments virtually impossible to complete without sedation (including cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s, autism, etc.) then they may be able to receive coverage. Additionally, when a procedure is particularly complex (i.e. needing multiple extractions), coverage may be available. Since every insurance plan is different, our team will help you navigate the details of your coverage ahead of time to make your care as affordable as possible.