Sedation Dentistry – Oshkosh, WI

What is Oral Conscious Sedation?

Oral conscious sedation is a prescription medication that helps you relax before and during your dental visit. You take a small pill about an hour before your appointment, so the effects begin at the same time as your treatment.

Once the medication starts working, you’ll feel drowsy and deeply calm, but you’ll remain awake and able to answer questions or follow simple instructions. After your appointment, the medication may linger in your system for a few hours, so you’ll need someone you trust to drive you home.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

Before recommending oral conscious sedation, Dr. Heil will review your medical history, current medications, and preferences for treatment. If you are a good candidate, you’ll receive a prescription for a sedative pill and instructions on when to take it.

Some patients take the medication at home, while others take it in our Oshkosh office right before treatment. As the medication takes effect, you’ll feel relaxed and unbothered by sights, sounds, and smells.

Some patients might doze as time passes, and they often remember little about their visit afterward. This soft memory loss can be good news for those with dental anxiety, as it can make future appointments less stressful.

Throughout the visit, our team will monitor you closely and adjust our approach as needed to keep you safe and comfortable until your procedure is over. 

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

Oral sedation in Oshkosh may be a great option if you feel anxious about dental visits, have had negative experiences in the past, or tend to avoid care until problems become serious. It can also help if you have a strong gag reflex, difficulty sitting still, or need several procedures completed in fewer appointments. Oral conscious sedation is not right for everyone, so Dr. Heil will carefully evaluate your health and discuss whether it’s the best choice for your situation.

Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

We often recommend dental nitrous oxide in Fort Smith for patients who:

• Have a fear of needles
• Experience head/neck/jaw pain in the treatment chair
• Struggle with dental-related anxiety
• Have a sensitive gag reflex
• Need more extensive care, like multiple tooth extractions

With all of that said, not everyone is a candidate. For example, if you have asthma or another condition that makes it difficult to breathe through your nose, then nitrous oxide is not ideal. Rest assured, even if that’s the case, we will work with you to find another way to have the calm, positive experience you deserve.

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work? 

Nitrous oxide is administered once you arrive at our office and settle comfortably into the treatment chair. A helpful member of our team will place the nasal mask comfortably into position and ask you to breathe through your nose. Within a matter of minutes, you’ll feel warm and very relaxed, but still remain awake to speak to Dr. Heil and his team. In fact, we can even adjust the flow of nitrous oxide as needed to ensure you stay calm and comfortable over the course of your treatment.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide

While other forms of sedation dentistry come with a list of aftercare instructions, nitrous oxide does not! In fact, after we’ve provided the preventive or restorative care you need and the mask comes off, you can easily resume your normal activities. All we ask is that you follow any guidelines we provide related to the treatment you received. For example, if we performed a root canal, you shouldn’t chew on that side of your mouth, you should rinse with warm saltwater periodically, and you should take OTC pain medication as directed.