SEDATION DENTISTRY in Chattanooga, TN

Dental anxiety can cause you to neglect treatments you need to maintain a healthy smile. This could have serious consequences.
IV sedation in progress in Chattanooga, TN

The Mint Dental in Chattanooga, TN, offers sedation dentistry to help you relax during dental procedures

How can sedation offered by Dr. Armstrong make undergoing dental procedures a more pain-free and comfortable experience?

Types of Sedation We Offer

Woman receiving sedation

Nitrous Oxide

Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a harmless gas that involves inhaling a mixture of 70 percent oxygen and 30 percent nitrous through a comfortable mask. You will remain fully awake while experiencing a relaxed euphoria that diminishes pain and any gag reflexes. You might even giggle a bit during your procedure. Once the flow of nitrous oxide is stopped, the sedation effects will wear off after only about three to five minutes. You’ll have no sedation “hangover,” and you should be able to safely drive yourself home from our Chattanooga practice following treatment. Nitrous oxide is considered to be a safe sedation option for our pediatric dentistry patients.

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation comes in the form of a prescribed sedative pill you’ll take at home before you come to one of our Chattanooga locations for treatment. This oral sedation pill will put you in a state of near-sleep, so you may need help from a trusted companion getting into a vehicle, entering our building, and moving from room to room once it kicks in. Therefore, it is very important to have a ride to and from your appointment. Although you will be very relaxed and groggy, you will still be able to respond to your dentist’s commands. When the effects of the drug subside, you will probably have little or no memories of your experience. You can expect to feel mildly sedated for a few hours following treatment, so budget time to sleep or relax at home.
Smiling woman
Woman receiving IV sedation

IV Sedation

This powerful, fast-acting sedation is administered through a vein in your arm. Our dentists are certified to perform IV sedation so there will be no need for you to pay for an outside anesthesiologist. Your dentist will closely monitor your vitals during the procedure and will also make the initial IV insertion as pain free as possible. You will not be completely asleep, but you probably will not be aware of or remember anything that happens in the dental chair later on. IV sedation can allow your dentist to perform multiple complex procedures like dental implant placement or full mouth reconstruction quickly and efficiently with little to no discomfort to you. A ride to and from our practice is an absolute must as you may be groggy for several hours. You also might need assistance getting into a car and into bed to rest once you arrive home.

Sedation Dentistry Offers A Better Dental Experience

Feel at Ease

Whether delivered via a sedative, gas, or IV, sedation can help you feel calm during dental care treatment. To ensure you are comfortable, sedation is paired with a local anesthetic which numbs the treatment area so you do not feel pain.

Finish Treatment Faster

Since you will be relaxed, Dr. Armstrong can work more efficiently without interference. This is especially beneficial if you are undergoing extensive dental treatment.

Alleviate Your Fear

A pleasant dental experience with sedation can help lay the groundwork for a better relationship with your dentist and make it easier to maintain your oral health.

Remain Still

Some patients may have difficulty sitting still for long periods of time. Sedation dentistry can help calm a patient’s body so involuntary movements are reduced. This can make it easier for our dentists to perform complex procedures like dental implant placement.