Dental AnxietyAnxious about dental treatment? At Trenton Dental, we offer several options to battle anxiety. We would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Nitrous oxide (commonly called laughing gas) is a clear, slightly sweet smelling gas. The patient is awake and responsive throughout the treatment but is relaxed. It is short acting and as soon as the procedure is over, the patient breathes oxygen and should feel perfectly fine.
We can prescribe an anti anxiety pill that you can take an hour before the procedure. As with the nitrous, the patient is awake and responsive, just relaxed. Unlike the gas, the pill is long acting and the patient will need someone to take them to and from the appointment.
We have a CRNA (nurse anesthetist) that administers oral sedation in our office. The patient takes anti-anxiety medication and nitrous oxide is administered simultaneously while the CRNA monitors the patient. The patient is still responsive during the procedure, but more sedated than with the gas or medication alone. The patient needs a driver to and from the appointment.
The CRNA administers medicine through an IV. The patient is sedated throughout the whole procedure and has very little to no memory of the appointment. The patient needs someone to drive them to and from the appointment.
