What Are My Options for a Pain-Free Dental Experience?

If you’ve ever had a tooth pulled or experienced an abrasive dental cleaning, you might worry about the potential for pain whenever a routine procedure, like a teeth cleaning, is scheduled. However, pain-free dentistry is possible.

At Family Dental Group, our team led by Nikhil Lavana, DMD, and Archana Kharkanis-Lavana, DMD, proudly offer pain-free dentistry. This blog explains what pain-free dentistry is and highlights four of the most popular treatment options.

Understanding pain-free dentistry

Pain-free dentistry uses anesthetics and/or prescription medication to provide a comfortable, painless dental experience. It lets you relax, so you can receive the dental care needed to maintain a healthy, vibrant smile.

Consider pain-free dentistry if you have dental anxiety or avoid visiting the dentist because of sensitive teeth or gums. Putting off preventive measures, like oral exams, dental X-rays, and teeth cleanings, can increase your risk of health problems like cavities and gum disease.

The 4 most common types of pain-free dentistry

We offer several types of pain-free dentistry, including:

1. Local anesthesia

Local anesthesia is administered via injection. It uses drugs, like novocaine, to rapidly numb a specific part of your mouth, like your gums or tongue. Your dentist might recommend this type of pain-free dentistry if you’re getting a root canal or need to have a tooth extracted.

2. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)

Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas administered via a mask that covers your nose and mouth. Once the gas enters your body, it causes you to feel happy and relaxed. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly, so it’s often used for minor dental procedures that cause pain or anxiety.

3. Oral sedation

Oral sedation involves taking a prescription medication, like Halcion®, before a dental procedure. This type of pain-free dentistry causes you to relax and feel drowsy. You might doze off during treatment, but your dentist can wake you with a gentle nudge.

Oral sedation is often prescribed to people with strong gag reflexes and/or medical conditions that make it difficult to sit still for extended periods.

4. Intravenous (IV) sedation

IV sedation administers general anesthesia through a vein in your arm. It causes you to fall asleep throughout the entire dental procedure. An anesthesiologist monitors your vital signs throughout treatment and adjusts the amount of anesthesia you receive as needed.

IV sedation is often prescribed to people with severe anxiety, extremely sensitive teeth, and those with strong gag reflexes.

What to expect after pain-free dentistry

After pain-free dentistry, you may need to take the rest of the day off work. That’s especially true if you undergo oral or IV sedation, as it takes several hours for these medications to leave your body. While you’re waiting, drink plenty of water and avoid eating or drinking until you regain sensation in your tongue and gums.

What type of pain-free dentistry is right for me?

The type of pain-free dentistry that’s right for you will depend on your symptoms, health history, and treatment needs. After a review of your medical records, an oral exam, and dental X-rays, we develop a personalized care plan that aligns with your needs.

Regardless of your needs, we use the lowest amount of anesthesia possible. This reduces the risk of potential side effects and allows you to stay relatively responsive during treatment.

Contact us to see if you can benefit from pain-free dentistry!

If you have dental anxiety or extremely sensitive teeth and gums, contact Family Dental Group today. We can determine the type of pain-free dentistry that’s right for you, and take steps to keep your teeth, gums, and smile healthy. Call our nearest office in Gardner, Northborough, or Paxton, Massachusetts, or book your appointment online today.