Redwood City Sedation Dentistry

Nitrous oxide, sometimes called “laughing gas,” is administered through a small mask that fits comfortably over your nose to help you relax. It is not intended to put you to sleep. Instead, you will be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions the dentist in Redwood City may have, but you’ll be completely relaxed and pain-free.

One significant benefit of sedation with laughing gas is that the effects wear off within minutes once you remove the mask, so you will be able to drive yourself home after treatment and go about the rest of your day just as you normally would.

Oral conscious sedation is simply a sedative taken in pill form about an hour before your procedure. This medication allows you to stay awake and aware during treatment, but you will feel no discomfort or pain. Patients who opt for oral conscious sedation say they feel drowsy, but relaxed throughout their appointment. Since it can take a few hours for the effects to wear off, you will need to arrange for a ride home from after your appointment.

As long as you are healthy and do not have any conditions that may rule you out as a candidate, such as serious respiratory problems, sedation is likely a good choice for you. However, to make sure you’re safely sedated, Dr. Morad will discuss your medical history, ask about any prescription drugs and supplements you’re taking, as well as other information.

The preparation process in anticipation of being sedated is different depending on the type of sedation you are receiving. Nitrous oxide requires very minimal preparation because it has a very quick onset and is a mild sedative. 

You just need to fast for 2 hours leading up to your appointment. Eat a light breakfast like toast and have some water about 2 hours before your appointment and then stop eating and drinking. This will prevent you from feeling nauseous or throwing up.

To prepare for oral conscious sedation, however, you will need to fast for 6 hours leading up to the appointment. This is why it’s best to schedule this appointment for first thing in the morning. You should get plenty of rest the night before and arrange to take the day off from work or any other responsibilities. 

Because oral conscious sedation needs to be taken orally about an hour before your appointment, you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. Once you ingest the medication, you will not be allowed to drive for the next 24 hours. You should also arrange for someone to monitor you for the rest of the day.

Nitrous oxide metabolizes very quickly and will leave the body within just a few minutes of removing the gas mask. Since nitrous oxide doesn’t linger in the body, it doesn’t cause hangover effects and you will be allowed to return to your normal activities right away, including driving.

Oral conscious sedation on the other hand is a deeper form of sedation that is more intense and lasts for much longer. Most people feel groggy and tired after their appointment for a few more hours. You may feel the effects for up to 6 hours after your appointment but even if you feel completely fine, this sedative can cause lingering hangover effects for up to 24 hours. 

This is why you cannot drive, drink alcohol, sign legal documents, or engage in strenuous activity for the next 24 hours. You may be monitored for a little bit after your appointment before we clear you to leave. You will need a chaperone to watch you for the rest of the day and help you get around. We recommend you get some rest when you get home.

On the contrary, sedation is not only painless, it’s a pain reliever! The administration of the sedatives we offer does not involve any discomfort. With nitrous oxide, you simply inhale a combination of nitrous oxide gas along with oxygen through your nose while you wear a gas mask. 

Oral conscious sedation involves taking an oral medication. Depending on the type of treatment you are getting, we may combine the sedative with the administration of local anesthesia to ensure that you don’t feel any pain from the procedure.

During your appointment, you will experience the effects of the sedative which include relaxation, elimination of pain sensations, reduced stress and worry, and feelings of euphoria. Best of all, you likely won’t remember anything from your appointment because of the amnesiac effect of the sedative.