Sedation Dentistry Provides Comfort To Patients With Dental Anxiety
Do you dread the dentist? Would you rather live with the pain than get any type of dental procedure? You are not alone. Dental anxiety is common and perfectly understandable. However, it is a problem when it stops you from getting essential care. Luckily, there is a solution that can change a dental visit from a source of stress into a pleasant experience: sedation dentistry.
Why Choose Sedation Dentistry
You may want to consider sedation if you:
- Become nervous or anxious at the thought of visiting the dentist
- Have had unpleasant dental experiences in the past
- Do not get numb easily with local anesthesia
- Have extremely sensitive teeth
- Require extensive dental work
- Gag easily during dental procedures
- Have an aversion to the sights, sounds, and smells of a dental office
- Feel embarrassed about the state of their oral health
We offer different levels of sedation to meet each patient’s unique needs and for specific dental treatments.
- Minimal Sedation: Nitrous Oxide and NuCalm®
Nitrous oxide, known often as “laughing gas,” is popular among patients with mild to moderate dental anxiety. We put a mask over the patient’s nose to allow them to inhale the gas during their procedure. Nitrous oxide induces a state of complete relaxation, but the patient remains fully conscious. The effects wear off soon after we remove the mask. For enhanced relaxation, we can combine nitrous oxide with NuCalm®, which uses biochemistry, physics, and neurophysiology to create a state of deep relaxation without medication. - Moderate Sedation: Oral Conscious Sedation
For patients who require deeper relaxation, we can recommend oral conscious sedation. This method involves taking a prescribed oral medication before a dental procedure. Patients under moderate sedation remain awake but are deeply relaxed and usually have little to no memory of the procedure afterward. The effects of oral sedation take several hours to dissipate, so any patient choosing this option must arrange transportation to and from their appointment.
The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
- Nitrous oxide and oral sedation are accessible and suitable for most adult patients.
- Patients feel relaxed and calm, making the dental visit much more pleasant.
- Most people have little to no recollection of the procedure, eliminating the fear of traumatic memories.
- Your dentist can work more efficiently, completing treatment in fewer visits.
- Sensitive teeth and gag reflexes are less problematic under sedation.
Embrace Relaxation with Sedation Dentistry
If anxiety has been keeping you from getting the essential dental care you need and deserve, sedation may be the answer. By transforming your dental visits into a relaxing experience, sedation allows you to receive the care you need without fear or discomfort. Please, don’t let anxiety hold you back—sail through your next dental appointment with ease and confidence.
Due for a cleaning? Need to schedule a procedure? Give us a call to schedule an appointment at our office located in Denton, MD. We are here to help!