Facing a root canal can be daunting, but sedation dentistry can help ease your anxiety and make the experience more comfortable. At Dr. Darj Dental in El Paso, Texas, Mehrnoosh Darj, DDS, offers several types of sedation to help you stay comfortable during dental procedures.
Take a moment and learn what sedation dentistry is and how it can help ease your jitters about your upcoming root canal.
Sedation dentistry involves using medication to help you relax during dental procedures. Whether you experience mild anxiety or severe dental phobia, sedation can:
Sedation dentistry reduces anxiety and discomfort, which not only helps you have a better experience during your root canal, but can also help change your perception of dental visits, a great benefit for patients with severe dental phobia.
Typically, sedation dentistry includes nitrous oxide (NO2), oral sedation, and intravenous (IV) sedation.
More often referred to as laughing gas, you inhale nitrous oxide through a mask and it provides mild relaxation. It helps you relax by slowing down your nervous system. You may feel calm and even euphoric. Some people say they’re “relaxed enough to laugh” — hence the name.
Its effects wear off quickly when you stop breathing the nitrous oxide, so you can drive yourself home after your root canal.
Oral sedation refers to medication you take orally via a pill — some examples are triazolam (Halcion®), zaleplon, and lorazepam. Typically, you take the medication about an hour before your procedure.
Oral sedation offers moderate relaxation, so you remain awake but drowsy. You need someone to drive you home after using oral sedation.
Intravenous sedation is the deepest form of sedation, which we administer via needle through a vein. While it’s not intended to shift you into an unconscious state as with general anesthesia, IV sedation can make you feel so relaxed that you do fall asleep. For this reason, sedation dentistry is sometimes referred to as sleep dentistry.
This option also requires a friend or family member to drive you home afterward.
Before your root canal, Dr. Darj explains why you need a root canal — knowing the reason behind a procedure can help tame some anxiety, too — and she discusses all of your sedation options with you. She recommends the best one for you based on your anxiety level and the complexity of your procedure.
After your root canal, you may feel groggy if you’ve had oral or IV sedation, and you should plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Our team sends you home with post-root canal instructions and any medication you may need.
In addition to dental sedation during your root canal, there are a few other strategies you can implement to reduce fears leading up to your appointment. These include:
If you’re feeling anxious, let us know. Sometimes just talking about your specific fears can help you overcome them.
You don’t have to let dental anxiety overshadow your dental health. Sedation dentistry at Dr. Darj Dental is a safe and effective way to relax during a root canal. If you have questions about your upcoming root canal or you would like to learn more about sedation dentistry, call Dr. Darj Dental at 915-213-3767.
