3 Pain Management Treatments to Make Your Next Dental Visit More Comfortable

Do you put off regular dental visits because you’re worried that treatment will be painful? You’re not alone. A recent study by the American Dental Association (ADA) found that three in four adults say they fear visiting the dentist. Not all dental anxiety is about pain, but much of it is related to concerns about discomfort.

Even though many people associate pain with the dentist, it doesn’t have to be this way. Various pain management options are available to ensure a more comfortable experience.

At Family Dental Group, with offices in Gardner, Northborough, and Paxton, Massachusetts, Nikhil Lavana, DMD, Archana Kharkanis-Lavana, DMD, and our team specialize in pain-free dentistry. Here, they highlight three pain management options that can help you relax, whether it’s time for a filling or a teeth cleaning.

1. Local anesthesia

The most common type of dental pain management is local anesthesia, which uses medications such as lidocaine or articaine to numb a specific part of your mouth. Local anesthesia can be administered via injections or applied as a topical ointment or spray.

Local anesthesia typically lasts two to three hours, but it can be combined with other medications to extend its effects. We often recommend it for quick dental procedures, including fillings and cosmetic dentistry procedures, like bonding.

2. Nitrous oxide

Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” may be a good option if you have a low pain threshold and dental anxiety. Nitrous oxide is administered through a mask placed over your mouth and nose. As you inhale the gas, it produces a calming effect that helps reduce pain.

We may recommend this type of pain management if you have a sensitive gag reflex or are worried about pain during periodontal and preventative treatments. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly, so most people can drive home after treatment.

3. Oral sedation

Oral sedation involves taking a prescription medication, such as diazepam or triazolam, before a more extensive dental procedure, like a bone graft, or for people who have moderate dental anxiety.

This type of pain management takes 45 minutes to an hour to take effect, depending on the medication, so you take it in advance of your appointment. Because the medication makes you drowsy and may even cause you to fall asleep, you’ll need someone to drive you to and from our office and avoid activities like operating heavy machinery for the rest of the day.

Intravenous (IV) sedation

For people with extreme dental anxiety, a severely sensitive gag reflex, or very low pain tolerance, we may suggest IV sedation. This pain management technique administers medication into a vein in your arm, producing deep relaxation and, in some cases, sleep. 

Whenever we use IV sedation, an anesthesiologist is present to ensure your safety and comfort. They monitor your vital signs throughout the procedure and adjust the medication as needed. IV sedation may be an option if you need multiple extractions or dental implants.

Pain-free dentistry starts here

If you’ve been putting off routine oral health care due to worries about pain, pain-free dentistry can help. Call our nearest office or book online to schedule your appointment today.