If you need a major dental procedure that requires sedation dentistry, you may be well aware of what the options are. However, you may not know what it is like to actually experience each form of sedation dentistry. Here's what you need to know about each of the three options.

Nitrous Oxide

When the procedure begins, your dentist will have you wear a mask that fits over both your mouth and nose. The mask helps ensure that you are breathing in the gas and help relax you for the dental procedure. You're left alone to just breathe in the gas so that it has taken effect, which can take 15-20 minutes. You'll eventually feel giggly, which is why the gas is commonly known as laughing gas. You may even feel like the room you are in is shifting, or experience light vertigo. These are common side effects that are expected. The great thing about nitrous oxide is that there are no lasting side effects after the gas is no longer administered, so you'll be able to drive home on your own.

IV Sedation

An anesthesiologist will help administer IV sedation, which is injected through your arm. The initial insertion of the needle may feel like nothing, or it can feel like someone has pinched you. The IV has a fluid bag connected to it that slowly releases a sedation drug into your body. Sometimes an anesthesiologist will have you count down from 10 after they administer the sedation drug to you, and you'll be lucky if you reach zero before you're knocked out. This form of sedation will make you not remember anything about the procedure that is about to take place.

Oral Sedation

Your dentist may prescribe you a medication for oral sedation, which is mean to be taken at home before your appointment and help relax you. Taking the medication means you won't be able to drive to the dentist office, so you'll need somebody to help you out. Oral sedation medication leaves you feeling relaxed and carefree about the procedure. You'll remember what happened while at the dentist but won't have any nervous feeling that makes it hard to sit through. The medication can have some side effects, such as dry mouth, nausea, or a headache.

Have questions about any of these sedation methods? Be sure to contact a dental office like Family First Dentistry LLC today to learn more.