calendar icon Request Call Our Office Map Us form icon Forms Like Us Reviews
Request an Appointment

Our hours are Monday -Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm. If you have any questions, please call our office at 432-367-4774

mobile phone icon (432) 367-4774

Sedation Dentistry Odessa

Soothing Your Dental Anxiety

Female patient having nasal mask placed for sedation dentistry in Odessa, TXEven if you’re not expecting anything besides a routine checkup and cleaning, you might still get nervous whenever it’s time to visit the dentist. Rest assured you’re not alone; dental anxiety is common among people of all ages. That’s why Dr. Cobb and the rest of our team are happy to offer sedation dentistry to help you have a more positive dental experience. Call us today if you think sedation dentistry could be the key to keeping your dental fears under control.

Why Choose Steve W. Cobb, DDS for Sedation Dentistry?

  • Fast-Acting, Relaxing Nitrous Oxide Sedation
  • Dentist with Decades of Experience
  • Welcoming Office with Laid-Back Atmosphere

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Knobs on machine used for nitrous oxide sedation

Nitrous oxide is sometimes referred to as laughing gas, and it’s very popular among patients who need help relaxing in the dental chair. The sedative will keep you relaxed throughout your appointment, but it won’t put you to sleep, meaning you can still respond to any directions that our team gives you. On top of that, the effects wear off quickly once you stop breathing in the gas, meaning you can simply return to your regular activities immediately after your appointment.

Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?

Male dental patient leaning back in chair and smiling

If you’re not sure whether nitrous oxide sedation is a good fit for you, consider the following questions:

  • Do you often get nervous about undergoing dental work of any kind?
  • Do you have a hard time sitting still?
  • Do you have an unusually strong gag reflex?
  • Do you have particularly sensitive teeth or gums?
  • Do you have trouble getting numb via local anesthetic?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, then nitrous oxide sedation is likely worth thinking about in your case. Our team can evaluate your overall health in order to confirm that there aren’t any issues that would prevent you from having nitrous oxide sedation administered (such as a sinus infection).

How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?

Female patient relaxing with nasal mask for nitrous oxide sedation

When you’re ready to begin your dental treatment, we’ll put a mask over your nose. Through this mask, you’ll breathe in a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. It should only take a few minutes for you to enter a relaxed state where you’ll feel at ease with everything going on around you. In some cases, you may notice a light tingling feeling, but rest assured this is nothing to worry about.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide

Close up of woman sitting in dental chair smiling

Upon completion of your dental treatment, we’ll remove the mask. Then we’ll have you wait in our office for a few minutes to give the nitrous oxide a chance to wear off. Once the effects have fully dissipated, you will be able to drive by yourself without issue, allowing you to head straight back to work or run any necessary errands.

By itself, nitrous oxide sedation doesn’t require you to spend any time resting at home afterward. However, some downtime could be required depending on the type of dental work you received; be sure to listen carefully to any aftercare instructions that our team gives you.

Sedation Dentistry FAQs

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

Sedation dentistry is considered safe for the vast majority of patients. This is especially true of nitrous oxide sedation, which most people can receive without any issue. However, there are always exceptions; as such, our team will need to perform a thorough review of your medical history as well as any medications you are currently taking in order to confirm that you are a good candidate for sedation.

Needless to say, our team takes the health and comfort of our patients very seriously. We will keep a close eye on your oxygen levels, blood pressure, and other vital signs the entire time that you’re under the effects of nitrous oxide sedation. We can adjust the dosage of the sedative at any time if necessary.

What Does It Feel Like to Be Sedated at the Dentist?

When you’re under the effect of nitrous oxide sedation, you’ll enter a state of relaxation where you feel both light and euphoric. Any feelings of fear and anxiety will be significantly decreased, leaving you more at ease in the dental chair. On top of that, nitrous oxide (which is also known as laughing gas) may make you more prone to laughing. Finally, you may notice a tingling sensation in your legs or arms.

Is Sedation Dentistry Covered by Insurance?

It depends on the circumstances. Many dental insurance plans do not normally pay for sedation dentistry since they consider it to be a “luxury” service. However, your insurance company may be willing to at least partially cover sedation if:

  • You have some type of disability, such as cerebral palsy, that would normally make it virtually impossible to have dental work performed unless dental sedation is utilized.
  • You require a particularly complex procedure that necessitates the use of sedation.

It’s always a good idea to review your dental insurance plan to ensure that you fully understand your benefits and what services are and are not covered. Don’t hesitate to let our team know if you have any insurance-related questions.

Does Dental Sedation Make You Tell Secrets?

While pop culture often depicts nitrous oxide and other forms of sedation dentistry as a truth serum, this is not actually the case. You may be more talkative than normal, but you’re unlikely to start revealing any secrets or engaging in any other unusual behaviors.

Will I Feel Any Pain with Dental Sedation?

Nitrous oxide sedation doesn’t necessarily completely eliminate discomfort, but it will significantly reduce it. You may still feel some pressure, but you’ll be less likely to experience outright pain.

It should be noted that sedation isn’t the only step that we can take to help you stay comfortable in the dental chair. For many procedures, we can also administer a local anesthetic to your mouth. This will keep the area numb while your treatment is being performed.