Sedation Dentistry
For patients who feel uneasy, afraid or panicky about visiting a dentist, we’re experienced at putting you completely at ease. If fear has prevented you from getting the care you need, we can help.
Replace Your Dental Fears With a Visit That’s Calm and Relaxing
The fear of going to the dentist is a very common one. Fortunately, today’s modern dental techniques and procedures have made visits more pleasant than ever before. To reduce and eliminate any uneasiness, we offer a range of safe, effective sedation options. Your dentist will discuss the different types of sedation and recommend the one that best suits your needs.
Oral sedation is used with a local anesthetic to relax you and to eliminate any pain associated with a procedure. You will be given a pill or a capsule to take several hours before your treatment, and you will be in a very relaxed state, so you’ll need someone to drive you to your appointment.
Nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas, is given at the dentist’s office; it relaxes you deeply. You remain conscious and responsive, but you won’t feel any pain and probably won’t remember the procedure.
Intravenous sedation (I.V. sedation) is given along with a local anesthetic to calm your nerves and eliminate any pain. It produces a more deeply relaxed state. Many patients become so relaxed they do not remember the procedure afterwards. With IV sedation, you’ll probably feel groggy afterward, so you should have someone to take you home.
Whichever sedation option you choose, you can trust us to make sure your visit is calm and relaxing. Our flexible payment options help you afford the dental treatment you need. We also work with nearly all dental insurance plans and offer a dental discount plan for patients without insurance.
FAQs
How to improve your oral health
Many people ring in a new year by making health-related resolutions to improve their lives, but how many of those lifestyle changes are kept past January? The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), a professional association of more than 35,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up to date in the profession through continuing education, has compiled some easy-to-keep oral health tips that consumers can work into their everyday routines and continue to perform throughout the year.
“Oral health means more than just an attractive smile,” says AGD spokesperson Raymond Martin, DDS, MAGD. “Poor oral health and untreated oral diseases and conditions can have a significant impact on quality of life. And, in many cases, the condition of the mouth mirrors the condition of the body as a whole.”
Tips:
- Floss every day. It’s the single most important factor in preventing gum disease, which affects more than 50 percent of adults. Spend two to three minutes flossing at least once a day. Not flossing because it irritates your gums? The more often you floss, the tougher your gums will become.
- Brush your teeth for at least two to three minutes twice daily. If you’re not sure whether you’re brushing long enough, simply brush for the length of an entire song on the radio.
- Change your toothbrush or toothbrush head (if you’re using an electric toothbrush) before the bristles become splayed and frayed, or every three to four months. Not only are old toothbrushes ineffective, they may harbor harmful bacteria that can cause infections, such as gingivitis and gum disease.
- Drink sugary beverages through a straw. This will minimize the amount of time that the sugars are in contact with your teeth, which can minimize the risk of developing cavities.
- Replace carbonated beverages, which cause enamel erosion and cavities, with water, milk, tea, or coffee.
- Chew sugarless gum that contains xylitol after meals and snacks. This will help cleanse your mouth and prevent the bacteria associated with cavities from attaching to your teeth. Even better, gum will increase your saliva production and reduce bad breath!
- Wait one hour to brush your teeth after consuming highly acidic food or drinks, like wine, coffee, citrus fruits, and soft drinks. Otherwise, you run the risk of wearing away the enamel on your teeth.
“One last reminder to patients is that they should make an appointment to see their general dentist every six months,” adds Dr. Martin. “More than 90 percent of all systemic diseases have oral manifestations, meaning that your dentist could be the first health care provider to diagnose a health problem.”
Are there any alternatives to dentures?
Dental implants are a possible alternative to dentures. Implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically anchored into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. Implants and bridges may resemble the “feel” of real teeth, but they may be more expensive than dentures. Not all patients are good candidates for implants, so be sure to talk to your dentist about which treatment option is best for you.