Dental Sedation in Petaluma, CA

What are my options for dental sedation?

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is a faintly sweet-smelling gas that is administered through a comfortable nose mask. Laughing gas puts the patient into a relaxed, content state, and they are less aware of what’s happening around them. Nitrous oxide sedation is a great choice for patients with mild to moderate dental anxiety.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Oral conscious sedation involves taking a prescription medication at a specific time pre-treatment. The medication will cause the patient to feel relaxed, almost like they are in a dream, and their reflexes will be slowed. Oral conscious sedation is often used for patients with more severe anxiety and patients who are undergoing lengthy or invasive dental treatments.

Is dental sedation safe?

At Alma Dental Care, patient safety is our number one priority, and we never recommend treatments that we don’t believe will be safe and effective. Before dental sedation is added to your treatment plan, our team will review your current health status, medications, and medical and oral health history to determine if sedation is a good choice for you. If you have any questions or concerns for our team throughout the process, please don’t hesitate to let us know. While sedation services can come with some mild risks, they are generally considered very safe and effective treatments.

Can I drive home after receiving sedation?

Patients who receive nitrous oxide are typically fine to drive themselves home post-treatment, since the effects of nitrous oxide typically wear off within a few minutes of breathing normal air. If you need some extra time once your treatment is complete, you are welcome to wait in our lobby until you feel comfortable driving. Patients who receive oral conscious sedation should have a friend or family member wait in our lobby throughout their treatment to drive them home afterward, and they cannot drive for the following 24 hours.