Are you afraid of going to the dentist? Do you have difficulty getting numb or sitting still for your appointment? Does your gagging make your visits uncomfortable? Don’t worry: you’re not alone. Most Americans experience some degree of anxiety and discomfort at the dentist. But you don’t have to be uncomfortable or afraid. With sedation dentistry, you can have a relaxed dental visit to get the dental care you need or cosmetic dentistry that you desire.
Would you like to learn how sedation dentistry can help you get over your dental anxiety and discomfort? Dr. Bob is a certified member of DOCS (Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation), and he’s up on the latest best practices in the use of dental sedation for safety and effectiveness. Please call (724) 282-4436 today for an appointment with Dr. Bob at Advanced Dentistry of Butler.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry is a great way to address many anxiety-related issues at the dentist. Sedation dentistry can help if you:
- Can’t go to the dentist because of fear
- Have a strong gag reflex
- Have trouble getting numb
- Can’t sit still for a dental appointment
- Get sore during or after dental appointment
These problems all center around your anxiety. For many people, the fear is easy to identify: you’re afraid of the dentist. But it’s also possible your anxiety manifests in other ways.
You may have a naturally strong gag reflex, but for many people this is heightened at the dentist because anxiety increases awareness of and sensitivity to the tools in the mouth. The same is true of anesthesia resistance. Some people are naturally resistant. Others are feeling anxious, which increases their body’s processing of local anesthesia, making it harder to get numb.
When people fidget through a dental appointment, part of the problem is anxiety. Other times it’s just because the appointment is long. They may also tense their muscles to try to make it through the appointment. This can cause soreness in the head, neck, back, and arms.
Sedation Dentistry Options
At Advanced Dentistry of Butler, we offer three sedation dentistry options:
- Oral conscious sedation
- Nitrous oxide
- IV sedation
Which sedation option is best for you depends on the problems you experience and your treatment needs.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation uses a pill to calm your anxiety. It’s just a prescription for an oral sedative, such as Valium. You may be given some at our office when you arrive or you may be prescribed some to take before you come in (and sometimes the night before).
Oral conscious sedation is good for people who have moderate to severe anxiety. It’s also best if your procedure has a predictable length, since it’s hard to extend this type of sedation in the middle of a procedure. The main drawback of this sedation is that you will need someone to take you to and from your appointment and stay with you the rest of the day.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is inhaled dental sedation. You’ll be fitted with a nasal mask that supplies a mix of nitrous and oxygen to help you feel more relaxed.
Nitrous oxide is best for people with mild to moderate anxiety, especially those who have difficulty getting numb or are likely to get sore after a procedure. Nitrous was originally used as anesthesia because it can help control discomfort.
IV Sedation
IV sedation uses many of the same medications as oral conscious sedation, but they’re introduced directly into the bloodstream. This allows for more immediate sedation, and it means the sedation can be extended as long as necessary for a procedure.
IV sedation is best for people with moderate to severe dental anxiety. It’s also great when your procedure is long and complicated or is more likely to encounter unexpected difficulties.
Why Choose Dr. Bob for Sedation Dentistry
Dr. Bob is a great choice for a sedation dentist. He is compassionate, well-trained, and experienced.
All good dentistry starts with communication. Dr. Bob takes the time to listen to his patients and understand their needs. This is the foundation of trust, and when many people talk to Dr. Bob, they realize they don’t even need sedation dentistry. But Dr. Bob has the ability to really empathize with patients who truly can’t get past anxiety and other issues without sedation.
Dr. Bob has prepared himself to deliver the best sedation for his patients. As a certified member of DOCS, Dr. Bob has been trained in the best practices for delivering sedation solutions safely.
He has built on his training with 40 years of practical experience helping patients achieve great dentistry results with comfortable, convenient appointment.
Would you like to learn more about what makes Dr. Bob the best choice for sedation dentistry in Butler? Please call (724) 282-4436 today for an appointment with our dentist at Advanced Dentistry of Butler.
