Rest Easy at Cobble Creek – Anxiety Free Dentistry
WE KNOW THAT DENTAL VISITS can be frightening for some individuals. It’s called dental phobia, and it’s something millions of Americans experience. We use sedation dentistry to help our patients feel anxiety-free and relaxed during their treatment at our practice. If you suffer from dental phobia, Dr. Harris and Dr. Wilkins may recommend one of several types of sedation after reviewing your medical history.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is a process where the dentist uses medication or drugs to relax the patient before or during a lengthy dental procedure. Dentists also call sedation dentistry sleep dentistry. In most cases, the patient is awake after he is given the sedation dentistry drug. Complete sleep happens only when the patient is given anesthesia intravenously. Click here for more info.
Each state has a set of laws, rules, and guidelines for dentists to comply with when providing sedation dentistry drugs and anesthesia to a person. The dentist must have sufficient qualifications and extensive sedation dentistry experience to carry out such procedures.
What Does Dental Sedation Feel Like?
Patients undergoing dental sedation often feel relaxed, calm, and a bit groggy. The stress and anxiety of the impending dental procedure just fade away. This feeling varies greatly depending on the type of sedation, how much is needed, and even the patient themselves. Dental Sedation allows the doctor to perform multiple dental treatments in just one visit.
At Cobble Creek Dental in North Ogden, Utah, we offer three forms of sedation dentistry:
- Nitrous oxide – a sense of relaxation that can make some dental patients giggle. Some say their limbs tingle and feel light. Others hear a buzzing sound.
- Oral Conscious Sedation – a sense of relaxation but alert enough to respond to your dentist’s directions and questions.
- IV sedation – you may have a hard time counting to six before you drift off. The medication contains agents that temporarily dull your memory. Most patients come out of their treatment feeling like they have just woken up from a deep sleep.
All three methods have their place within sedation dentistry. But your medical history and medical conditions, along with other factors, will determine the right choice for you.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, commonly called laughing gas, is perfect for people who have mild levels of anxiety. It has been the primary way doctors have helped relieve patients from stress. The gas is administered through a face mask and inhaled normally through your nose. During the procedure, you will be awake but very relaxed and desensitized. It’s a very low-impact sedative, allowing you to drive following the completion of the procedure.
Oral Conscious Sedation
As the name suggests, oral sedation does not require the use of needles but a sedative taken in pill form. Depending on the dosage, it can induce low or moderate sedation. With moderate sedation, you won’t remember much of the procedure even though you’re conscious.
There are a variety of different medications that we provide here at Cobble Creek Dental. It will be up to your medical history and the recommendation of Dr. Harris and Dr. Wilkins to decide which one will be your best choice.
In some cases, patients become hazy to the point where they fall asleep. Most dentists that practice sedation ask that the patient take the pill an hour before the procedure. Both nitrous oxide and oral sedation are good options for those that have a fear of needles. Oral sedation requires that you have a ride home from your appointment.
IV Sedation
Intravenous (IV) sedation is by far the fastest working sedative because the solution is transferred directly to your bloodstream through a needle. This type of procedure is usually used when the patient wants moderate to deep sedation. Like oral sedation, IV sedation side effects require that you have a ride home from your appointment.
Dental sedation has minimal side effects, including drowsiness, headache, dry mouth, and fogginess. Sometimes there is a complete loss of memory of the dental procedure itself. These minor side effects usually resolve within a few hours. For those with dental anxiety, the benefits of sedation dentistry far outweigh the negative aspects. To learn more click here.
Rest Easy With Cobble Creek Dental
No matter what your dental care experience has been in the past, we are confident that your experience here at Cobble Creek Dental will be a comfortable and anxiety-free one. If you suffer from dental anxiety, please call us at (801) 399-0458 or email us. We’re confident we have a solution to relieve you of dental anxiety and help your experience here at Cobble Creek Dental be pleasant.