Sedation Dentistry
Bellevue, WA

At D. Ian Bell, D.D.S., we believe that you should get the very best dental treatments from the most skilled professionals, and we also believe that you should feel comfortable and relaxed during any procedure that you have. For this reason, we offer sedation dentistry, a fantastic way to offer you comfort and tranquility during any procedure.

Dr. Bell and his dental team strive to ensure that you experience the uppermost level of comfort throughout your cosmetic and restorative appointments! We understand it's common amongst many people to dread a visit to the dentist, each with varying degrees. However, you will feel relaxed and at ease, as we provide each patient different degrees of sedation depending upon your needs.

The most commonly used sedation is a nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") which creates a subtle, calming effect that wears off immediately. When it comes to more complex appointments requiring more dental time with us, we offer oral medication that delivers a deeper level of relaxation. Our patients happily report back to us that this approach makes the appointment seem like only minutes, when unbeknownst to them it may have been considerably longer!

What Is Sedation?

Sedation is a process that we use to help ease our patients into a state of relaxation and calmness using sedative drugs. The drugs can be in the form of a:

•	Anti-anxiety medication
•	Tranquillizer
•	Oral medications
•	Nitrous oxide

The Benefits of Sedation

One of the best things about dental sedation is, from the perspective of the patient, the time between when they are placed under sedation and when the procedure is done is dramatically reduced. Some procedures can last for an hour or more, so many patients find it enjoyable to feel as though things went quickly regardless of whether it did or not.

The most obvious benefit of dental sedation is for those who are afraid or experience anxiety over having dental work done. We understand that many people have an aversion to dental and medical procedures and want to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and safe. Sedation is a great way to help you to feel comfortable before, during, and after your procedure.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is a sedation method that most people who have visited the dentist have at least heard about. Nitrous oxide is administered to patients through a mask that fits over their nose. We mix the nitrous oxide with some oxygen and keep it flowing into the mask while you wait for it to take effect. Some people are more susceptible to the gas than others, so we let it run for a while to make sure that you are feeling the effects before we begin. The mask and the mixture of gasses will remain throughout the procedure.

Patients who receive nitrous oxide often describe it as a feeling of euphoria, or a warm feeling that radiates through the body. Many people end up laughing at random, hence the name laughing gas. Nitrous oxide is a great way to control nerves while keeping the patient awake and responsive to requests. If you feel nervous about your upcoming procedure, just let us know ahead of time that you would like nitrous oxide with your procedure. We are more than happy to accommodate, especially when we know that it will help you to have a more relaxing and enjoyable experience here at D. Ian Bell, D.D.S..

Oral Sedation

In recent years, oral sedation methods have become more and more popular. These sedation methods are most frequently used to address nervousness or fear over the procedure. This technique is popular for a few different reasons. It does not require any needles, so those who are spooked by needles may prefer it. Oral sedation will sometimes allow the patient to ingest their medication before coming to our office, so the jitters on the ride over aren’t an issue. It’s also one of the easiest ways to sedate a patient. Many times, those who take oral sedatives do not remember the office visit at all.

Your Safety Comes First

At D. Ian Bell, D.D.S. your safety is our number one priority. We have the experience and the training to issue all forms of sedation that we offer and will always do what is best for you, the patient. We ask for your assistance in helping to make every procedure a safe one by following any and all pre and post-procedure instructions that you are given. Some instruction may include dietary restrictions.

Following a procedure where you receive sedation, we will often hold you for monitoring. We do this to ensure that your health is not at risk when you leave our office. The most common health risk is tripping and falling after trying to stand the following sedation. Please, take your time and rest comfortably until you feel sturdy enough to stand.

Prepare For Your Procedure

Whenever you are going to be placed under sedation, we recommend that you bring a friend or family member along with you. They can help act as a chaperone to get you into the office, the car, and back home. You will not want to drive after taking a sedative. While some sedation options allow patients to be sober quickly following the procedure (nitrous oxide), we still recommend that you count on a friend of family member to get you home safely.

Make sure your drink plenty of liquids following your sedation as minor dehydration can occasionally be an issue. We will always give you post-procedure instructions when needed, so if you receive such instructions, please follow them closely. Anytime you are concerned following procedure; please do not hesitate to call us at (425) 883-8333. We are more than happy to help!