At Featherstone Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we offer a full range of dental sedation options to ensure our patients have a relaxing and anxiety-free experience. Depending on the type of procedure you are having performed, the following options may be offered as part of your treatment process.

Patients who are having minimally invasive procedures performed, or who have mild to moderate anxiety when having dental procedures performed, may be given a dental anxiolytic, which is typically administered orally or with Nitrous Oxide, also known as laughing gas. Oral sedation is generally taken by the patient one hour before the procedure. Nitrous Oxide is administered through a mask that fits over the patient’s nose, putting them in a slightly altered state and/or in a deeper state of relaxation. During the procedure, you will be alert and able to communicate with the periodontist; however, you will be in a much more relaxed state. Nitrous Oxide is a safe and effective method for reducing procedural anxiety. Effects typically wear off around 15 minutes after being removed. The side effects of oral dental sedation typically wear off after a few hours.

Moderate to deep dental conscious sedation is generally given to patients having slightly more invasive oral procedures performed or for patients who have moderate to extreme anxiety about having a dental procedure performed. Conscious sedation can be administered intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM). Patients who receive this level of sedation will typically have no recollection of the procedure being performed. Patients receiving this level of sedation will need to arrange for someone to drive them home from their procedure, as the effects can take several hours to wear off.