Durham Sedation Dentist

Do you have dental anxiety? No problem at all! Dental anxiety is a common reason for patients’
to postpone dental treatment. Most dental anxieties are due to a negative childhood experience
at the dentist. For others, the anxiety is due to the feeling of losing control while in the dental chair. Dr. Erskine is specially certified to provide a range of sedation care in the office. These sedation option include:

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous Oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas”, is a gas that has a safe and effective sedative effect. It is typically administered through a comfortable mask over the nose. This gas will help patients relax during their treatment. When dental treatment is completed, the mask is removed and patients will feel normal within minutes. Nitrous Oxide has a calming effect on both child and adult patients. Patients’ like this treatment option because they can drive after the dental appointment.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Oral Conscious sedation is a prescribed anti-anxiety medication given to the patient before their dental appointment. The pill is taken by mouth before the appointment to begin to minimize dental anxiety. The pill will eventually put the patients into a mild sedative state. With Oral Conscious sedation, the patients will remain awake while under oral conscious sedation, but completely removed from the sights, smells, and sounds of the dental appointment. However, patients will need an escort in the office during their dental appointment and to drive the patient home after the appointment.