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We understand that a visit to the dentist may cause fear and anxiety in some people. Patients who experience severe anxiety and stress when seeing a dentist may postpone or altogether avoid vital dental care. However, neglecting your oral health can lead to tooth loss, disease, and overall health problems. To help you feel confident and secure with dental care, we offer oral sedation. This gentle procedure can alleviate your anxiety so that you can approach dental appointments with peace of mind.
When is oral sedation a good solution?
- If you feel anxious, stressed, or scared about dental visits
- If you need long procedures
- If you need many procedures performed in few visits
- If you have had unpleasant dental visits in the past
- If you don’t respond well to numbing agents
- If you fear needles
- If your teeth are sensitive
- If you have a sensitive gag reflex
- If the sounds, smells, and tastes associated with dentistry make you uncomfortable
- If you cannot stay physically comfortable during dental care
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What should you know about oral sedation?
- Oral sedation is effective
- Oral sedation is safe
- It requires no needles
- You may have little or no memory of the visit
- Effects can linger for hours, so plan your schedule accordingly
- Many procedures can be accomplished in one or two visits
- It is effective for patients who have difficulty with traditional numbing agents
- You will be kept comfortable throughout your visit
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Q. What is oral sedation dentistry?
A. Oral sedation dentistry is the use of medication to achieve an appropriate level of relaxation so that a fearful patient can calmly receive the dental care he or she needs. The entire process is simple and comfortable.
Q. What will my appointment be like?
A. At your first appointment, we will discuss with you your overall health and medical history. If you feel comfortable, we will take X-rays and examine your teeth and supporting tissues. This will give us the information we need to determine which dental treatments will restore your smile. If you’re a good candidate for oral sedation, the dentist will select an appropriate anti-anxiety or sedative drug for you to take at a pre-determined time before your appointment. These safe, widely prescribed drugs diminish anxiety and help patients relax.
Q. How should I plan my oral sedation visit?
A. We will advise you as to when you should take the medication, usually the night before your dental appointment. Accompanied by a responsible friend or family member, you’ll arrive at the dentist’s office more rested and relaxed. We will gauge your anxiety level when you arrive for the appointment. If needed, more medication will be given to further relax you, and an experienced sedation dentistry team will monitor your vital signs during the procedure. When you choose oral sedation, you must have a responsible adult who can drive you to and from your appointment and spend some time with you after the appointment until the sedative wears off completely.
Q. What will I feel like?
A. Although your dental procedures may take hours, you will feel as if they take only minutes. Sedation medications have an amnesic effect, so you’ll have few, if any, memories of the visit. You can immediately enjoy your improved smile.
Q. How do I determine if I am a candidate?
A. Contact our office to discuss whether oral sedation dentistry is an option for you. Oral sedation can give you the peace of mind you need in order to undergo dental work. You may enjoy better overall health, an improved self-image, and better quality of life with a healthy, beautiful smile.
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