Sedation Dentist – Soldotna, AK
Lifting the Anxiety Out of Dental Visits
At Soldotna Dental Arts, we understand that dental anxiety is a real and common problem among dentistry patients of all ages, resulting in countless skipped appointments and worsening smile damage that could have been avoided. Our skilled sedation dentist in Soldtona, AK, Dr. Christensen, and the rest of our staff work hard to create a comforting, pleasant environment for every visit, but this isn’t always enough to quell frazzled nerves. Thankfully, sedation dentistry can lend a helping hand. If you’d like to learn more about our sedative techniques or arrange this type of care for your next visit, contact us today in Soldotna, AK.
Why Choose Soldotna Dental Arts for Sedation Dentistry?
- Two Types of Sedation Available for Patients
- Trusted & Knowledgeable Dentist with Years of Experience
- Calming Dental Team & Amenities
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Most people know nitrous oxide by a different, sillier name — laughing gas! This mild sedative is safe for all ages, and it’s administered through a nasal mask that we’ll place on you at the beginning of your appointment. After a few minutes of breathing in the gas, you should feel calmer and more content while remaining aware of what’s happening around you. The biggest benefit of nitrous oxide is that the effects wear off extremely quickly following your appointment, which means that it’s safe to return to your daily routine and even drive yourself with minimal to no downtime required.
Dental Anxiety Relief
At Soldotna Dental Arts, we understand that dental anxiety is a common issue that often leads to skipped appointments and worsening dental health. Dr. Christensen and our team strive to create a comforting environment with amenities like neck pillows, blankets, nitrous oxide, and medications to help ease anxiety. Many patients who were initially hesitant due to past experiences have found our office to be a welcoming place where they can achieve the smile they’ve always wanted. We take pride in turning anxious patients into "patients for life," helping them replace fear with confidence in their dental care.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, was first used as a dental sedation treatment almost two centuries ago, and since then it has proven itself to be a safe and effective way to ensure a dental patient’s comfort. This remarkable treatment can induce a temporary sense of calmness and well-being without any lingering side effects, and it allows many people to receive the dental work they need despite anxiety or difficulty sitting still. Here’s some information on what nitrous oxide is, how it is used, and the benefits it can provide, but please contact our Soldotna office if you’d like to know more.
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide involves no long-term side effects and can be safely used to treat adults and children with issues like:
- A fear of needles
- Difficulty sitting still
- Sensitive teeth
- An oversensitive gag reflex
- Anxiety about seeing the dentist
- Difficulty feeling the effects of other dental sedation treatments
However, nitrous oxide may not be a suitable treatment for you if you are pregnant, have sinus congestion or a respiratory disease, have a history of substance abuse, or are taking medication that can interfere with the sedative effect. Before recommending this treatment, Dr. Christensen will review your medical history to ensure that you can receive it safely.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Dentists mix nitrous oxide with oxygen and administer it through a host attached to a mask placed over the nose, and you can expect to feel its effects within a minute or two after you begin inhaling the gas. You will experience a sense of calmness, lightness, and relaxation, and your pain and reaction thresholds will be increased so you don’t feel discomfort or react as easily to stimuli. However, you will be able to remain awake and respond to our dentist’s questions and instructions. Nitrous oxide is eliminated from the body within fifteen minutes of the end of the treatment, and patients will be able to drive themselves home after its effects have worn off.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
While you will not experience any lingering side effects from nitrous oxide, you will still need to stay at the office for a few minutes after your procedure so the treatment can wear off. Afterward, you will feel back to normal and be able to drive yourself home or back to work or school, and you will be able to resume your usual daily activities immediately. While nitrous oxide treatment doesn’t require any aftercare, it’s still important to comply with your dentist’s at-home care instructions for the procedure you received while sedated.