Sedation Dentistry – Concord, NH

Make Your Next Visit a Relaxing One

Smiling woman relaxing after sedation dentistry in Concord

Does going to the dentist make you feel anxious? Maybe you had a bad experience with a dentist in the past, or maybe you have a physical condition that makes dental care uncomfortable. If so, you’re certainly not alone! That’s why at Generations Dental Care, we’re proud to offer sedation dentistry in Concord. With calming nitrous oxide sedation, oral conscious sedation, or IV dental sedation, we can help you overcome these obstacles and make your next visit a relaxing one. What’s more, we’ve partnered with the specialists at Blue Sky Anesthesia Associates to ensure your dental sedation is as safe and effective as possible. To learn more, read on or give us a call.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Man relaxing with nitrous oxide dental sedation in Concord

Nitrous oxide sedation is more commonly referred to as “laughing gas.” This colorless, odorless gas is administered through a small mask that’s placed over your nose. Within moments of inhaling in, you’ll begin to feel light, warm, and relaxed. You shouldn’t feel any sensations of pain or anxiety, and we can adjust your level of sedation if needed at any time during your treatment. Afterwards, you’ll return to your normal state of alertness within just a few minutes. You’ll be able to drive yourself home and continue your day without interruption!

Oral Conscious Sedation

Closeup of patient holding oral conscious sedation in Concord

For a slightly deeper level of relaxation, we may recommend oral conscious sedation. Before you arrive for your appointment, you’ll take an antianxiety medication that we’ve prescribed you, and you’ll begin to feel calm before you even get to our office. Oral conscious sedation is a more powerful form of dental sedation than nitrous oxide sedation, but it will not “put you to sleep.” Though you will feel groggy afterwards and will not likely remember your treatment, you will remain conscious throughout your treatment. However, you will need a friend or family member to drive you home afterwards.

What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?

Closeup of woman holding oral conscious sedation in Concord

Oral conscious sedation in Concord can help you feel relaxed during your appointment without the need for nose masks or needles. In fact, you’ll feel completely relaxed before you even reach our office! As its name suggests, you’ll take the oral conscious medication by mouth. Then, you’ll gradually feel more relaxed, but will remain conscious. Oral conscious sedation is more powerful than nitrous oxide, but gentler than IV dental sedation.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

Woman relaxing with oral conscious sedation in Concord

Typically, we’ll ask you to take your prescribed oral conscious medication several hours before your appointment. You’ll gradually feel more and more relaxed, so you’ll need a friend or family member to drive you to our office. We’ll settle you into the examination chair and get to work on your smile. You’ll remain awake enough to follow simple instructions and answer basic questions, but you won’t feel any of the sensations that would typically cause you physical discomfort or emotional distress.

Some patients fall asleep with oral conscious sedation, but we’ll easily be able to wake you up with a gentle nudge. Most patients feel as though they’ve slept through their entire appointment since it’s not common to form memories with oral conscious sedation. You’ll continue to feel quite groggy for some time after your treatment, so you’ll need someone to drive you home from your appointment. You should plan on relaxing and taking it easy for the rest of the day.

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

Man giving a thumbs-up for oral conscious sedation in Concord

The only way to know for sure if oral conscious sedation is a good choice for you is to come see us for a consultation. We’ll take the time to discuss your goals and evaluate your medical history. In most cases, we will not recommend oral conscious sedation for patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have sleep apnea, or are taking certain medications. However, the majority of patients are considered to be good candidates for oral conscious sedation, especially if they:

Have mild, moderate, or severe dental anxiety
Have a very strong gag reflex or sensitive teeth
Don’t typically respond to numbing medications alone very well
Can’t sit comfortably in the dental chair due to jaw, neck, shoulder, or back pain
Are planning on completing numerous or complex procedures

IV Sedation

Woman in deep relaxation from IV sedation in Concord

The most powerful form of sedation dentistry is IV sedation. For this option, the sedative is delivered directly to your blood stream via a small needle in your hand or arm. To ensure your sedation is as safe and effective as possible, this will be performed by a specialist from our partners at Blue Sky Anesthesia Associates. Together, we will monitor you during your treatment and adjust your level of sedation if needed. IV sedation will put you in a dream-like state of relaxation, and it’s unlikely you will remember anything of it afterward. 30-60 minutes after waking from your dream-like state from IV sedation, you’ll be ready to have another adult drive you home, where you should rest for the remainder of the day.

Partnered with Concord Sedation Specialists

Patient and Concord sedation specialist shaking hands

Sedation dentistry is incredibly safe, especially when administered by highly trained professionals. The safety and comfort of our patients is our top priority, which is why we’re proud to partner with the sedation specialists of Blue Sky Anesthesia Associates. Dr. Dwayne Thibeault has over 20 years of experience to draw from and will create a sedation plan that is tailored to your specific needs and health. He’s happy to answer all your questions and concerns and will ensure that your IV dental sedation at our office goes as smoothly as possible.

Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

Concord dental sedation candidate giving thumbs up

The only way to know for sure if dental sedation is right for you or which option would be best for you is to come visit us for a consultation. We’ll review your health, medical history, and unique circumstances to determine the answers to these questions. You may be a good candidate for sedation dentistry if you:

Are afraid of the dentist, have dental anxiety, or have dental phobia.
Have endured bad experiences at dental offices in the past.
Are avoiding the care you need because you are scared, anxious, or uncomfortable.
Have an overactive gag reflex or very sensitive teeth.
Are resistant to numbing medications, or they historically aren’t very effective for you.
Have a physical condition that makes sitting in the examination chair uncomfortable (back problems, neck pain, TMJ disorder, etc.)
Are preparing to undergo a long procedure or completing several treatments in one appointment.