Sedation Dentistry in Brighton, NY

How Sedation Can Help You Relax at the Dentist

Dental sedation transforms your dental experience by creating deep physical relaxation, easing tension in your muscles, and calming your nervous system. Your body remains still and comfortable throughout the procedure, allowing our dentist in Brighton to work with enhanced precision.

For patients with sensitive gag reflexes, sedation provides remarkable relief. The relaxation suppresses this natural reflex, making procedures like X-rays, impressions, and back-tooth work much more manageable.

Time seems to pass quickly under sedation, making lengthy procedures feel brief. Many patients report that what felt like minutes was actually a few hours of dental work – a significant benefit for complex treatments requiring extended time in the chair.

While you’ll remain conscious during most forms of sedation, you’ll likely have little to no memory of the procedure afterward. This “amnesia effect” helps reduce anxiety about future dental visits since there are no potentially stressful memories associated with the treatment.

The combination of a relaxed state and reduced anxiety allows our team to work more efficiently. We can often complete multiple procedures in a single visit, reducing your overall time in the dental chair and accelerating your path to optimal dental health.

Our Three Forms of Dental Sedation

At Contemporary Dentistry, we offer three sedation dentistry options to match your comfort needs and procedure complexity. Each option is administered by our highly trained team with your safety as our top priority.

Nitrous Oxide

Often called “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide provides gentle relaxation through a comfortable nose mask. You’ll remain fully conscious while feeling light and calm. Recovery takes just minutes – you can drive yourself home and resume normal activities immediately.

Ideal for patients with mild anxiety, nitrous works well for routine cleanings, fillings, cosmetic dentistry, and crown preparations.

Oral Sedation

For oral conscious sedation, your prescription may include two medications: a sleep aid for the night before and an anti-anxiety pill for your appointment. This dual approach helps manage both pre-appointment anxiety and day-of comfort. This creates moderate sedation while keeping you responsive. Effects last 4-6 hours, during which you’ll feel deeply relaxed but able to communicate. You must arrange transportation home as the medication’s effects can linger.

Oral sedation helps patients with moderate anxiety or those undergoing longer dental procedures.

IV Sedation

Delivered through an IV, this creates profound relaxation bordering on sleep while maintaining consciousness. Our team continuously monitors your vital signs throughout treatment. Recovery requires several hours, and you’ll need someone to drive you home.

IV sedation is perfect for complex oral surgery procedures like wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, or extensive restorative work. It’s also ideal for patients with severe dental anxiety.