Sedation Dentistry

If you’re curious about how patients actually feel about sedation dentistry—especially with nitrous oxide—you’re certainly not alone. Hearing directly from those who’ve been in the chair can offer peace of mind.

Many of our patients confess they were initially nervous about the idea of sedation, but after their experience, they describe the process as “surprisingly pleasant.” Some mention that their anxiety melted away soon after the laughing gas was administered, allowing them to relax and focus on getting the care they needed—without fear.

Parents especially appreciate being able to bring in their children for treatment, noting that sedation helps take the stress out of an unfamiliar procedure. Others highlight how convenient it is to return to their normal routines right after their appointment since nitrous oxide wears off so quickly.

We’ve even had a few “converted skeptics” reference well-known organizations like the American Dental Association and WebMD, remarking that the reassuring safety information online matched their real-life experience.

Above all, our patients regularly comment on how sedation dentistry has transformed the way they view dental visits. They say it’s easier to keep up with preventive care and finally address lingering dental concerns, knowing they can do so comfortably and without fear.

Local anesthesia is one of the most common techniques we use to keep you comfortable and pain-free during dental treatments here at Murphy Dental Group. With this method, a numbing medication—such as lidocaine—is injected directly into the tissue surrounding your tooth or area being treated. This blocks the nerves in that specific spot from transmitting pain signals, so you’ll remain completely awake and alert, but won’t feel any discomfort in the area being worked on.

You’ll notice the numbness setting in just a few minutes after the injection. It’s a great option for routine dental work like fillings, crowns, and even some extractions. Because local anesthesia only affects a small, targeted area, you’ll still be able to move your mouth and speak normally, but won’t have to worry about feeling pain.

After your treatment is finished, the numb sensation will gradually fade, usually within a couple of hours. Some people report a slight tingling or swollen feeling as the anesthesia wears off, but this is completely normal and temporary. For most, local anesthesia makes dental care easy and stress-free.

General anesthesia is the deepest level of sedation available in dental care. With this approach, you’ll be completely unconscious for the duration of your dental procedure—similar to how you would be “put under” for a surgery in a hospital. This means you won’t be aware of what’s happening, nor will you feel any pain or anxiety during your treatment.

General anesthesia is typically administered through an intravenous (IV) line and sometimes combined with inhaled anesthetic gases. Because of the powerful nature and higher risks associated with this type of anesthesia, it’s generally recommended only for more complex procedures, patients with special needs, or those who have extreme dental anxiety that cannot be managed with lighter forms of sedation like nitrous oxide.

If general anesthesia is being considered for your dental care, Dr. Murphy and our team will thoroughly review your medical history and discuss all aspects of the procedure with you. We may work alongside an anesthesiologist or a hospital-based team to ensure your safety throughout. With proper monitoring and personalized care planning, general anesthesia can make even the most challenging dental procedures comfortable and stress-free.