Dental anxiety is real, and you’re not alone if you suffer from it. Plenty of patients feel nervous about getting the care they need. That’s why we offer a variety of sedation options to keep your experience soothing, painless, and stress-free.
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Why should I choose sedation?
No one deserves to struggle with stress or pain during dental treatment. Sedation options are an effective way to receive the dental care you need without the worry and anxiety that may come with visiting the dentist’s office. All it takes to get started is a simple conversation with Dr. Cummings to see which option works best for you.
Did you know…
About 40% of Americans are affected by dental anxiety.
Ready to
schedule your appointment?
Free Consultation
Speak to Dr. Cummings about your options without obligation. During your free sedation consultation, he’ll discuss your concerns and walk you through your options so you can choose the sedation option that’s best for you.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nervous about treatment, but want to avoid being deeply sedated? With nitrous oxide, you’ll experience a floaty, worry-free feeling that won’t leave you with side effects. Right after treatment, you can drive yourself home and get back to your day-to-day routine.
Oral Conscious
If you’re looking for a sedative that will cause you to forget your procedure, we offer oral conscious sedation. This method uses a strong pill or liquid sedative that you’ll take about 30-60 minutes before your procedure for a peaceful, pleasant experience. This sedation option will require someone else to drive you both to and from your appointment.
The Benefits of Proper Sedation
Faster, More Precise Procedures
Sedation soothes the body, keeps you from wiggling, and puts choking and gagging reflexes on pause so Dr. Cummings can complete a precise procedure in less time without any wiggling or unexpected movements.
Stay Comfortable & Forget Treatment
You will feel very relaxed, "out of it" and will not remember your dental appointment. This will allow you to get the treatment completed that you need despite your dental anxiety.
Encourages Positive Dental Memories
Experiencing a comfortable treatment reduces your dental phobia and trains your brain to associate positive memories with dentistry.
The Sedation Treatment Process
Health & Treatment Evaluation
First, Bloomington dentist Dr. Cummings will review your treatment plan to determine if sedation is a good option for your procedure. He will then discuss your past health history and any current health problems that may affect your ability to be sedated with your chosen method.
Address Needs & Concerns
Dr. Cummings will ask questions to determine your particular needs and concerns. How deeply do you wish to be sedated? What is making you anxious about your procedure? Do you have a low pain threshold? An honest conversation with Dr. Cummings will determine which sedation options will be appropriate for you.
Discuss Recommendations & Options
Next, Dr. Cummings will outline your available sedation options and describe all side effects and instructions. With his recommendation and your input, we can help you choose the right option for your procedure.
Before & Afters
A smile is worth 1,000 words.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
What is sedation used for in dentistry?
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For most cases, sedation is used to treat dental anxiety. Dental anxiety is extremely common for patients of all ages and can keep people from getting the care they need. If you are anxious or nervous about coming to the dentist, sedation can help you feel more safe and comfortable.
Sedation also minimizes pain and discomfort during more invasive procedures, such as tooth extractions and dental implant placements. It also helps you feel more comfortable if you require multiple dental procedures and need to sit still for several hours during treatment.
Am I a good candidate for sedation dentistry?
If you are healthy, do not have a history of drug abuse, and are not taking any medications that may interfere with the sedation process, you should be a good candidate for sedation dentistry. Reach out to our team to learn more about your options.
What does sedation dentistry feel like?
Each sedation option feels a little different, so it depends on the method you choose. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) will make you feel light-headed, giggly, and relaxed, but you will be fully conscious and aware of your surroundings. You will also feel less discomfort during treatment. Nitrous oxide is a sedation option we offer at our office.
On the other hand, oral conscious sedation and IV sedation will usually make you feel groggy and “out of it”. You’ll probably fall asleep and forget most of your procedure. However, you will not be unconscious, and you can still be woken and respond to commands. We do offer oral conscious sedation, but we do not offer IV sedation at this time.
General anesthesia is the deepest level of sedation. You will be completely unconscious and will not feel anything or remember anything from your procedure. Our office does not currently provide general anesthesia.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Absolutely. Our team is qualified and experienced in administering the methods of sedation dentistry that we offer (laughing gas and oral conscious sedation). While our deeper method of sedation, oral conscious sedation, has more prolonged side effects compared to nitrous oxide (laughing gas), it is still very safe and does not pose serious risks to your health or wellbeing if you are a good candidate for sedation.
