SEDATION
At Panhandle Dental, we know that comfort is always a high priority. Especially if you have a longer or more complex treatment planned. Unfortunately, anxiety or even sensitive gag reflexes can get in the way of accessing the quality oral health care you deserve. That's why we offer comfortable sedation dentistry options to ensure your experience is as pleasant and stress-free as possible.
When to Request Sedation
Dental anxiety, sensitive teeth, oral surgery, and a hyperactive gag reflex are just a few examples of why someone may want to request dental sedation. Sedation dentistry allows us to create a calm and comfortable experience during your procedure, alleviating your anxiety and helping you feel at ease throughout the entire procedure. Whether it’s a small filling or a complex “all on” implant surgery, we make sedation available to all of our patients to ensure access to quality care.
Laughing Gas (Nitrous Oxide)
One of the most popular and lightest forms of sedation we offer is laughing gas, also known as nitrous oxide. Nitrous sedation is administered through a small mask placed over your nose. As you inhale, you'll quickly start to experience a sense of relaxation—almost as if you’ve had a couple of glasses of wine—helping reduce any feelings of nervousness or discomfort.
Laughing gas is highly effective because it induces a mild sedative effect, keeping you conscious and able to communicate with our dental team throughout the procedure. It also wears off quickly, allowing you to immediately resume your regular activities (including driving) without any lingering drowsiness.
Nitrous sedation is safe for patients of all ages and can be added to almost any pre-scheduled dental appointment.
Oral Conscious Sedation in Amarillo
For patients with more moderate to severe dental needs or anxiety, we offer oral conscious sedation. This method uses a prescribed sedative in the form of a pill taken just before your procedure. As it begins to take effect, you’ll feel drowsy and less aware of what’s going on but still conscious enough to answer simple yes-and-no questions. Most people experience amnesia from their oral sedation, so you likely won’t remember much about your visit.
Since oral sedation lasts for a couple of hours, we’re able to complete your procedure(s) before the medication wears off. You’ll need to bring a friend or family member with you to drive you home, and you’ll want to take things easy for the rest of the day.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
At Panhandle Dental, your comfort and safety are our top priority. Our compassionate team, led by Dr. Carr and Dr. Woods, is committed to providing exceptional services with a focus on your quality of care. Thanks to our sedation dentistry options, you can achieve the best oral health care without anxiety or fear of the dentist.
Schedule your appointment today and take the first step towards a healthier and happier smile!