Sedation Dentistry in NYC
The dentists at DDS Group provide sedation dentistry to patients in the financial district of NYC, near Wall Street. Contact us at 212-269-6655 to learn more or schedule your appointment.
We use local anesthetic to ensure that you don’t experience any discomfort during dental procedures, but sometimes patients need additional help to relax while we work. In these cases, we offer sedation dentistry to ease your worries and provide a stress-free dental visit.
Talk to your doctor about whether these sedation options are right for you prior to your dental procedure.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a safe and effective form of sedation with only very mild side effects. You’ll inhale a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a mask that fits over your nose; within minutes, you’ll begin to feel relaxed. Some patients also report feelings of lightheadedness, tingling, and heaviness in the arms and legs. Shortly after you remove the mask, the sedation will wear off and you’ll be back to normal.
Conscious Oral Sedation
Conscious oral sedation can be used for patients with more severe dental anxiety or apprehension about their procedure. You’ll be prescribed a sedative to take just before your procedure and you’ll remain awake but relaxed as we work. If this type of sedation is being used for your procedure, you will need to have someone bring you to your appointment and drive you home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry
Is dental sedation safe?
Yes, the forms of sedation we use at DDS Group are extremely safe, with little-to-no side effects or risks. When you hear discussion about the dangers of sedation dentistry, this is almost always referring to types of sedation where patients are not conscious and need breathing support. With nitrous oxide and conscious oral sedation, you never lose consciousness, so there’s no need to monitor your breathing.
Does insurance pay for sedation dentistry?
Elective sedation is not usually covered by dental insurance, but the good news is that the sedation agents we use are very affordable and do not add a significant cost to any procedure.
Will I feel any pain with dental sedation?
The purpose of dental sedation is to ease anxiety and help you relax; it doesn’t address pain. To make sure you don’t experience any discomfort during your procedure, we will always use a local anesthetic in conjunction with sedation.
Can you talk during conscious sedation?
Yes, unlike IV sedation (also known as twilight anesthesia), you will be awake, able to talk to us, and remember what happened during your dental appointment with conscious sedation. You may feel drowsy and some patients may even briefly nod off, but you will remain fully conscious.
What are the negative effects of nitrous oxide?
Negative effects of nitrous oxide are very rare, which is why it’s such a commonly used sedative in dentistry. Some patients may experience headaches, nausea, vomiting, sweating, or chills. Because the effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly once the mask is removed, there are very few symptoms and they resolve rapidly.
Contact us at 212-269-6655 to schedule your appointment.