Menu
It’s normal to feel a bit of stress before dental procedures. But what if that stress interferes with your ability to receive treatment? For some patients, anxiety prevents them from getting the dental care they need.
If you delay your treatment due to dental anxiety, your oral health will only get worse. It can become a negative cycle of needing treatment, putting it off, and then dealing with the need for even more treatment, which can create even more stress.
There is a way to receive the care you need without experiencing dental anxiety. At Affinity Dental, we offer various forms of dental sedation to make your next appointment stress-free.
Our dental team offers several different sedative methods. By learning more about each, you can identify one that’s right for you.
During dental services, anxiety can interfere with a dentist’s ability to work on a patient’s teeth. Sedation options allow patients to feel relaxed enough to receive the treatment they need.
The effects of sedatives vary based on which one you choose. In general, they cause patients to feel drowsy, relaxed, calm, and at ease.
Depending on how severe your anxiety is, you may request sedatives during cleanings or fillings. Dental sedation is often used during treatments like:
Our dentists make every effort to accommodate anxious patients. We take breaks as needed, explain what we’re doing so that you aren’t left in the dark, and check in with how you’re feeling throughout the procedure. At Affinity Dental, your comfort is our priority
If you’re considering sedation dentistry, there are three main options. The right one for you may vary depending on how deeply you want to be sedated, how long you want the effects to last, and how comfortable you are with the route of administration.
We’re going to review the different sedation methods to help you find one that’s right for you:
You can take oral sedatives in the form of a pill or liquid. You’ll be awake during your dental procedure, but you’ll notice feelings of relaxation and calmness.
With oral sedation, the effects last beyond the duration of most dental procedures. We strongly suggest arranging for a ride home, since driving yourself may be unsafe.
If you find it difficult to take pills, you might have trouble swallowing the sedative. In that case, you may be better suited to other forms of sedation dentistry.
This form of dental sedation is administered through intravenous access (into a vein). IV sedation, which is also referred to as sleep dentistry, does not make the patient completely unconscious. But even though general anaesthesia is not used, patients rarely remember the procedure once it’s finished. This sedative is commonly used during wisdom tooth removals or other extractions.
Just like with oral sedatives, we strongly recommend arranging a ride home after your appointment; it’s unsafe to operate motor vehicles after receiving intravenous sedation.
If you desire a heavier form of dental sedation, then this might be the method for you. Intravenous sedation may not be ideal for patients with a fear of needles.
You’ve probably heard of “laughing gas” before; it’s the sedative that most people are familiar with. It makes patients feel comfortable, calm, and sometimes giggly.
Inhaled sedation saves patients from dealing with a needle or swallowing a pill. This is considered a form of moderate sedation since its effects wear off the quickest. The effects of nitrous oxide are short-lasting and entirely safe, so it can even be used with children.
The duration of the dental sedation varies based on which method you choose. On average, here’s how long each one lasts:
We aim to make anxious patients feel as comfortable as possible during their dental appointment. With sedation dentistry, your next visit to the Winnipeg dental office might be more pleasant than you’d expect.
Our dental team is always willing to accommodate the unique needs of each patient. Are you intrigued to learn more about sleep dentistry? Whether you’re interested in nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation dentistry, we offer it all. Contact Affinity Dental today to schedule your next appointment.
| Monday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Tuesday | 12PM – 8PM |
| Wednesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Thursday | 12PM – 8PM |
| Friday | 8AM – 3PM |
| Saturday | CLOSED |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
| Monday | 12PM – 8PM |
| Tuesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Wednesday | 12PM – 8PM |
| Thursday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Friday | 8AM – 3PM |
| Saturday | 9AM – 3PM |
| Sunday | CLOSED |