People throughout the United States suffer with dental anxieties and phobias. To some, nervousness about visiting the dentist may be a minor inconvenience but to others, dental phobias can prevent a person from receiving the oral healthcare they need and deserve. If dental fears and phobias are stopping you from receiving regular dental care, our dentists offer sedation dentistry as a solution.
At Tate Family Dentistry, we strive to ensure the utmost in comfort for our patients. Our guests overwhelmingly report positive experiences with our team because our dentists and support staff are patient, compassionate, and dedicated.
Types of Sedation
There are varying levels of sedation in dentistry and each type of sedation has different applications. For example, patients with moderate to severe phobias or those undergoing long or complex treatment will likely benefit from oral sedation whereas patients with phobias receiving a cleaning or filling may benefit best from nitrous oxide.
Oral sedation involves prescription medication normally from the benzodiazepine family of drugs. These medications are developed to target the neurotransmitters that release the chemical reactions that cause anxious and nervous feelings. This medication is normally taken the night before an appointment and about an hour before treatment. Since benzodiazepines like Valium or Ativan impair motor function, patients should arrange for a friend or family member to drive them to and from our practice.
Nitrous oxide is a milder form of sedation dentistry that is administered through a soft nasal mask. A gas, nitrous oxide is fast-acting and wears off quickly. It produces warm and euphoric feelings that have both a pain-relieving and sedative effect. With nitrous oxide, patients can drive home after their appointment because its sedative properties wear off in a few minutes.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry often means that patients who had difficulty controlling their anxiety can receive professional oral care much more comfortably. By combating the chemical reactions that cause panic and anxiousness, our guests will feel relaxed during treatment, and in some cases, will gain more control over their dental phobias in the future.
Our goal at Tate Family Dentistry is to make every patient that visits our practice feel welcome, safe, and comfortable. If you have dental phobias or are prone to anxiety in clinical settings, feel free to voice your concerns with our caring and compassionate staff.