Effective Strategies for Relieving Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety is an extremely common condition which prevents individuals from receiving the dental care they need. The prevalence of dental anxiety inspire us every day to continue to help those with dental anxiety, read on to see the many ways in which we area able to provide relief and transform you from someone who has anxiety when visiting the dentist, to someone who actually looks forward to your upcoming visits.
If you experience fear and anxiety when you go to the dentist, you are not alone. Millions of people have a genuine fear of dental procedures and the pain they may experience. It is essential to your health, however, that you have regular dental cleanings, exams, and work performed on your teeth to maintain a healthy smile year round.
The team at Bent Tree Dental is proud to be able to offer sedation dentistry to our patients. If you have fear or anxiety stopping you from visiting our office, give us a call today to discuss about relieving dental anxiety with sedation dentistry and how we can help make your dental experience more enjoyable.
Types of Sedation Dentistry Offered
Sedation dentistry is considered to be safe and effective in relieving dental anxiety. No matter the type of sedation you have, you will always be monitored throughout your dental procedure. Prior to your procedure, Dr. Miller will make sure you are a good candidate for sedation dentistry before administering it.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is a safe and common form of sedation dentistry. Our office offers complimentary nitrous oxide to help you relax and receive painless treatments. Dr. Miller will place a mask over your nose that delivers the nitrous oxide to you. He will control the amount you receive and monitor the sedation the entire time. During your procedure, you will be relaxed but awake so that you will know what is going on at all times. The effects take place and wear off in just minutes, so you can drive from our office soon after your appointment is done.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is another common form of sedation dentistry that allows you to remain awake and relaxed. Oral sedation is delivered in the form of a sedative pill that will be given to you prior to your appointment.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is given to you using an IV to offer you the deepest level of sedation. You will not be awake during the procedure, but you will be monitored throughout the time you are sedated. This type of sedation is usually recommend for those with a strong fear of the dentist.
Total Sedation
Total sedation is not as commonly used as the first two methods, but when a strong fear and anxiety exist, we may recommend it. This type of sedation is known as general anesthesia, and while you are under it, you will not remember the procedure at all. A medical anesthesiologist will oversee the administration of the anesthesia and watch your vitals.
Local Anesthesia
With many procedures, we use local anesthesia to numb the area of your mouth we’ll be working on. We often use this in conjunction with our sedation options. At our office, you will never have to worry that you are not “numb enough,” as many of our patients have heard from other dentists. Our caring staff will ask you throughout your procedure if you are comfortable and pain-free, and we’ll make adjustments to your comfort level as needed.
Rick Miller, DDS is committed to ensuring you are relaxed throughout your appointment. Routine dental care is important, and that is why we work to provide you with the relief and comfort you need to get the right care. In addition to our dental sedation options, we ensure your comfort with our state-of-the-art technology and laser dentistry, as well as comfort items like blankets and pillows, movies, and complimentary beverages.