In our last blog we talked about the various causes and effects of dental anxiety. People are afraid of the dentist for a number of reasons, but when they let their fear keep them from the dentist, then they are setting themselves up for even more serious dental problems, as well as general health problems.
At the office of Ronald L. Proctor, DDS, we will help you overcome your dental fears with sedation dentistry. Here in Carrollton, you have a few options for dental sedation, ranging from mild sedation, to being put completely under.
No Fear
With sedation dentistry, you no longer have to be afraid. Whether you experience only mild anxiety when you visit the dentist, or if you are paralyzed with fear at the thought of even the most simple procedure, like a cleaning or examination, the office of Ronald L. Proctor, DDS has a sedation solution for you.
No Tension
One side effect to dental work you may not have considered is tension. Even if you do not consider yourself to be afraid of the dentist, you may still experience tension while undergoing a procedure, whether you realize it or not. If you find yourself with a dull headache that last even into the next day, or with muscle soreness, or just general exhaustion after dental, these symptoms could be the result of tension.
If you are contracting your neck and shoulder muscles muscles while lying back in a dental chair, or grasping the arm rest with a clenched fist, then this could cause you pain later. It can be hard to relax while having your teeth worked on, that is why we offer dental sedation.
Types of Sedation
There are different levels of sedation for different levels of anxiety. Before you start your procedure, we will discuss your needs and your medical history to decide which form of sedation is right for you.
Inhaled Sedation – Nitrous Oxide, or as you likely know it, “laughing gas”, is a very low level of dental sedation. You will inhale the gas, mixed with oxygen, throughout your procedure, so we can adjust your level of sedation based on your level of anxiety as we work on your teeth.
Many describe the effects of nitrous oxide as a euphoric intoxication. You will be awake and aware, but you will be relaxed. This will make the procedure less stressful for you, as well as relieve any tension you may have.
The effects of nitrous oxide are almost instantaneous, but they wear off just as quickly once you stop inhaling the gas. This make inhaled sedation the only type of sedation in which you can drive yourself home.
Oral Sedation – For mild to moderate dental anxiety, we have oral sedation. This form of sedation is taken as a prescription sedative pill that you will take an hour or two before your appointment.. This will not knock you out, but it will put you in a state of relaxation so deep, you will not be able to drive, so you must arrange a ride to and from your house.
Like nitrous oxide, with oral sedation you will remain conscious, but you will likely be less alert. In fact, it is not uncommon for patients to have no recollection the procedure after the sedative wears off.
IV Sedation – For those with a very deep and intense fear of dentistry, there is IV sedation. Very few dentist offices in the US even offer IV sedation, but the office of Ronald L. Proctor, DDS is one of them. IV sedation will put you completely under, you will not be alert, you will not even be conscious.
Not only will IV sedation allow you to overcome your fears of dental work, and help you to lie still for a few hours, it will also allow us to perform multiple procedures that would typically be spread out over several visits. This saves you time and money!
We Are Here to Help
There is no reason to keep letting fear and worry dictate the health of your teeth. At our Carrollton office, we will use advanced sedation techniques to keep you comfortable during your dental work. You will be able to walk around with a smile you are proud of.
If you’re not sure what level of sedation is right for you, come on in for an examination, and we will discuss your sedation options.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
