If you are one of the 30 percent of Americans who has been delaying dental exams or treatment due to dental phobia, you should know you have other options. Sedation dentistry allows our sedation dentist to help you manage fear and anxiety throughout your dental treatment process. Dental phobia is real and can lead to costly and even dangerous delays in treatment, but we are pleased to be able to offer you a more relaxing environment and treatment alternatives so that you can have a more comfortable experience.

Three main types of sedation dentistry exist, including IV sedation, oral conscious sedation, and inhaled sedation. IV sedation involves a sedative administered intravenously. IV sedation is a safe and effective solution to severe dental anxiety when it is administered by a trained professional. It takes effect almost immediately, and the dose can be readily adjusted as needed.

Oral sedation is a popular alternative to IV sedation because it allows patients to be relaxed throughout the procedure but still awake. Oral sedation involves no needles and is easy to administer. Patients are awake and can cooperate throughout the treatment process as needed, but often the medications administered have an amnesiac affect, leaving patients with the impression that treatment took much less time than it really did. The primary drawback of oral sedation is that not every patient will have the same reaction to the medications used and will generally require assistance in getting home after treatment.

Inhalation sedation has a long safety record and has been used extensively in dentistry. A blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen are used to achieve a degree of amnesia and pleasantly relaxed sensation. Inhalation sedation dentistry can also provide a certain degree of pain relief, which can be helpful for those in need of certain treatments.

Not all forms of sedation dentistry are appropriate for all patients. If you are interested in your options for sedation, talk to our dentist about any health conditions you have and any prescription or over-the-counter medications you take. We will work closely with you to ensure you have the best possible dental experience. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule your appointment.