Ease Your Mind and Calm Your Nerves

Dental anxiety is a common reason many people avoid visiting the dentist. At Panneton Dental Group, we don’t want you to neglect your oral health due to dental fear or anxiety. That’s why our Omaha and La Vista, NE, dentists offer sedation dentistry to help calm patients’ nerves when undergoing dental work. 

If you feel sedation dentistry can help you during your dental appointment, ask Dr. Mark Panneton about our options, and he’ll recommend the best solution for you. Call our Omaha dental office at (402) 934-5200 or our La Vista office at (402) 537-4620 to learn more!

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is used to ensure patients won’t feel pain during their treatment as well as calm any nerves or anxiety they’re experiencing. At Panneton Dental Group, we offer three forms of dental sedation for your convenience.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry offers a range of advantages for patients:

• Anxiety Relief: It provides a profound sense of relaxation, making dental procedures much more comfortable for individuals who experience anxiety or fear.
• Pain Management: Sedation ensures patients won’t feel pain during the procedure. This is particularly beneficial for extensive treatments or those with a low pain threshold.
• Time Efficiency: Procedures tend to feel quicker under sedation, making it an excellent option for those with busy schedules.
• Improved Treatment Quality: When patients are calm and cooperative, dentists can perform procedures with greater precision and accuracy.
• Reduced Gag Reflex: Sedation can help control the gag reflex, which can be particularly problematic for some patients during dental work.

Safe Sedation Dentistry Options at Panneton Dental Group

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a low-level sedative that can ease your sensations during treatment. This form of sedation is administered through a mask worn over your nose. You’ll feel the effects immediately, sending you into a deep state of relaxation that eliminates anxiety while you remain conscious.

Even if it’s just a routine dental checkup, nitrous oxide can make your visit pass by quickly without any unpleasant feelings. Nitrous oxide is safe for both children and adults and doesn’t cause any side effects. Once your treatment is complete, the sedation will wear off quickly and most patients can safely drive themselves home. 

Oral Conscious Sedation

Oral conscious sedation is administered in pill form before your treatment. This form of sedation won’t put you to sleep but is slightly stronger than nitrous oxide. While you’ll be conscious during the treatment, you won’t remember many details as your sensations will be extremely dull. 

Time will pass by quickly under oral conscious sedation. This sedation technique may take a while to wear off, so we recommend bringing someone with you that you can trust to safely drive you home. 

IV Sedation

Intravenous (IV) sedation is a powerful sedative administered into the bloodstream through a vein. The sedation will quickly take effect, putting you into what’s called a “twilight sleep.” This means that you’re awake and responsive but in a deep state of relaxation. 

You’ll have little to no memory of the procedure once you come out of IV sedation. Since the effects are strong, you’ll want someone you trust to drive you home after the treatment.

Who Can Benefit from Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry can be highly beneficial for:

• Patients with Dental Anxiety: Individuals who experience heightened anxiety or fear related to dental visits can find great relief through sedation.
• Those with a Strong Gag Reflex: For patients with an overactive gag reflex, sedation can make procedures more manageable.
• Complex Dental Procedures: Sedation is particularly useful for extensive dental treatments, such as root canals, extractions, or implant placements.
• Children and Adolescents: Young patients who may have difficulty sitting still in a dental chair for extended periods can benefit from sedation to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.

Frequently Asked Questions