Sedation Dentistry

Dental anxiety shouldn’t prevent you from getting the care you need to protect your oral health. At Tiger Family Dental Care in Rockville, Maryland, Ibad Farshori, DMD, and Florentino Palacios, DDS, offer sedation options to help nervous patients feel comfortable during dental procedures. The practice uses safe, effective sedation that allows you to relax while receiving quality dental care. Call the office or schedule online to learn more about sedation for your next appointment.

What is sedation dentistry? 

Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. It’s sometimes called “sleep dentistry,” though most patients remain awake and responsive throughout their treatment. Sedation simply reduces anxiety and helps you feel calm and comfortable.

Different levels of sedation are available depending on your needs and the complexity of your procedure. Your dentist at Tiger Family Dental chooses the right type based on your anxiety level, medical history, and the treatment you’re receiving.

Who benefits from sedation dentistry? 

Sedation dentistry helps patients who experience:

• Severe dental anxiety or phobia
• Difficulty getting numb with local anesthesia
• Sensitive teeth or gums
• Strong gag reflex that interferes with treatment
• Fear of needles or dental instruments
• Need for lengthy procedures

Even if you just feel nervous about dental visits, sedation can make your experience more pleasant and help you get the care you need without stress.

What types of sedation are available? 

There are several different types of sedation, including:

• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
• Oral sedation (pills taken before treatment)
• Intravenous (IV) sedation (medication administered through a vein in your arm)

The Tiger Family Dental Care team most commonly uses nitrous oxide for patient comfort, which is a safe, mild sedative that you breathe through a small mask placed over your nose.

The gas takes effect quickly and helps you feel calm and relaxed while you remain fully conscious, allowing you to still communicate with your dentist and respond to instructions. The effects wear off rapidly once your dentist removes the mask, so you can drive yourself home after treatment.

What happens during sedation dentistry? 

Before your procedure, your dentist reviews your medical history and explains how the sedation works. With nitrous oxide, you simply breathe normally through the mask while your dentist adjusts the level to keep you comfortable.

Expect to feel relaxed; you may even feel a bit lightheaded or giggly. The sedation doesn’t eliminate the need for local anesthesia, but it makes the numbing process easier if you’re anxious about injections.

Throughout your procedure, your dentist monitors your comfort level and can adjust the sedation as needed. Most patients find that time passes quickly and they remember very little about the actual treatment.

Call Tiger Family Dental Care today or book a visit online to learn more about sedation options and schedule a comfortable, anxiety-free dental visit.