Sedation Dentistry Corpus Christi
Meet Your Dental Needs with Relaxing Sedation
Not everyone can complete dental visits so easily, either because they have an unexplained phobia of dental treatments or because they had a previous negative experience that has only made visits very difficult to get through. Dr. Pitarra wants to make sure all patients are feeling completely comfortable during their routine appointments, which is why she offers multiple forms of sedation for your convenience! To learn which option for sedation dentistry in Corpus Christi would work best for your needs, give our dental office a call today!
Why Choose Sarah Pitarra, DDS for Sedation Dentistry?
- Quick-Acting Nitrous Oxide Available
- Oral Conscious Sedation for Moderate Anxiety
- Kind and Caring Dentist and Team Members
Oral Conscious Dental Sedation
Does the thought of visiting the dentist make you anxious? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one! Thankfully, there’s a solution. At the Corpus Christi dental office of Dr. Sarah Pitarra, we offer oral conscious sedation to help you stay calm and relaxed during your appointment. This simple method allows patients to remain awake, yet deeply relaxed throughout treatment.
If you've been searching for compassionate, stress-free care with oral sedation in Corpus Christi, you're in the right place. Read more below to see how oral conscious sedation works and learn whether you might be a good candidate.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is a safe, easy way to help patients manage dental anxiety. It involves taking a prescribed medication like Valium, Ativan, or Halcion before your appointment.
Afterward, you'll feel drowsy, relaxed, and maybe even a bit dreamy, but you'll still be awake and able to respond to instructions. This type of sedation is ideal for patients who have a fear of dental work, have a sensitive gag reflex, or need longer procedures.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
About an hour before your visit, you’ll take a small sedative pill prescribed by Dr. Pitarra. By the time your appointment begins, you’ll feel at ease, though still awake and responsive. Many patients describe the experience as calm and dreamlike.
Here’s what to expect:
- You’ll need someone to drive you to and from the appointment.
- During the procedure, you'll feel relaxed, and your senses will be dulled.
- Our team will carefully monitor you throughout your appointment.
- You likely won’t remember much of the appointment afterward.
With oral sedation, effects may linger for a few hours, even after your procedure. Once your appointment is finished, our team will give you clear post-care instructions to support a smooth recovery. Most patients will feel back to normal later in the day, but you should rest when you get home.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
You might be a great fit for oral sedation if you:
- Feel nervous or fearful about dental procedures.
- Struggle with a strong gag reflex.
- Have had a negative dental experience in the past.
- Need multiple treatments completed in one visit.
- Have difficulties getting numb with local anesthesia.
At Sarah Pitarra, DDS, we’ll review your medical history and dental needs to make sure oral sedation is a safe option for you. Your comfort matters—and we’re here to help you get the care you deserve without stress!
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
For those with more mild cases of dental anxiety or nervousness, nitrous oxide can help put you at ease quickly and effectively. If you’re curious why you haven’t heard of it before, there’s a chance you’ve heard it called something else: laughing gas. This calming solution can help a wide variety of patients, so, if you’re interested, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us to learn more about it. You can also read on for more information!
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Since nitrous oxide is so mild, it’s a great option for the large majority of patients who have trouble getting the dental care they need because they:
- Have a fear of needles
- Struggle with dental-related anxiety
- Experience head/neck/jaw pain
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
With all of that said, nitrous oxide isn’t suitable for everyone. For example, if you have asthma or another condition that makes it difficult for you to breathe through your nose, this type of sedation isn’t ideal for you since it’s administered through a nasal mask.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
As mentioned above, nitrous oxide is administered through a nasal mask. Once you settle into the treatment chair, we will position it in place and ask you to breathe through your nose. The gas is both colorless and odorless, and it only takes a few minutes for the effects to kick in. At first, you’ll feel anxiety, stress, and worry melt away. Then, you’ll feel a wave of calm and relaxation set in.
Once you’re completely comfortable and ready to begin, Dr. Pitarra will provide the preventive, restorative, or cosmetic dentistry you need. Throughout your visit, she will check in with you to ensure you are doing okay. If the nitrous oxide needs to be adjusted at all, that can be done easily!
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
One of the benefits of nitrous oxide is that it only takes a few minutes for the sedative’s effects to wear off. As a result, you don’t need to take the entire day off of work or arrange for someone you know and trust to drive you home from your visit. Instead, you can continue your day without interruption!
Important note: While there may not be any specific aftercare instructions with nitrous oxide, the care you did receive will likely come with a few. For example, if you had a fluoride treatment at the end of your cleaning, we ask that you don’t eat for at least 30 minutes. If you received a root canal, we ask that you rinse periodically with warm saltwater to help alleviate inflammation and prevent an infection.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Sedation dentistry is safe for most patients with good general health. Your sedation dentist will learn more about your medical history and any medications you're taking during your consultation. Certain health issues or medications can increase your risk of complications. Your dentist will create the personalized plan you need to benefit from dental sedation without putting you in harm's way. You will also be monitored closely throughout your appointment to ensure your safety. Generally, nitrous oxide is the safest option for most patients, including children.
Will I feel any pain with dental sedation?
Sedation can be used along with a local numbing agent, so you won't feel any discomfort during your procedure. You may feel some pressure, but you will not have any outright discomfort. Although your procedure will be pain free, your mouth may be tender after the effects of any numbing agents and sedatives dissipate. You can manage it with an over-the-counter pain reliever and eat soft foods until any tenderness improves.
What does it feel like to be under dental sedation?
Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative that's inhaled through a mask placed over the nose. It takes effect quickly, causing a tingling or heavy sensation in the extremities. Some patients get a little case of the giggles, which is why it's often referred to as "laughing gas." You will reach deep relaxation and your anxieties will fade away. Once the mask is removed, you'll feel normal within a few minutes.
Oral conscious sedation is a prescribed medication taken before your procedure. It offers stronger effects than nitrous oxide. It may make you drowsy, but it will not "put you to sleep." You'll be less aware of your surroundings and may doze off, but you can be awakened easily at the slightest touch or to respond to verbal instructions. It can take a few hours for the effects of oral conscious sedation to wear off, so you'll need a friend or loved one to drive you home.
Will I remember anything?
Dental sedation can have memory loss effects. It is more common to have fragmented memory with oral conscious sedation. You may not even remember your procedure at all. This can be a great benefit for patients with dental-related fears or those who have had a negative experience in the past.