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Many people put off going to the dentist because of overpowering anxiety and fear. Sedation dentistry allows you to be completely relaxed and comfortable so that you can access preventive and restorative treatments to keep your teeth and gums healthy for life. Drs. Teel and Gilbert offer several different sedation methods and will help you decide which is right for you.
If you are interested in learning more about sedation dentistry, call our experienced dentist in Fort Wayne, Indiana dental at (260) 432-0561 to schedule a conversation.
Dental Anxiety is Real
Millions of Americans avoid going to the dentist for fear of pain or discomfort. Sometimes a patient has had a bad experience in the past, or simply feels apprehension about having dental work done. If you suffer from dental anxiety, any experiences at the dentist’s office may induce fear and panic, from the feeling of sitting in the chair, to the bright lights, to the sounds of dental tools. We don’t want our patients to have to suffer through these situations, so we offer three sedation methods to help you feel more comfortable about getting the dental care you deserve.
If you…
Have fears and anxiety about dental treatment of any kind,
Have put off dental care for years because of dental anxiety, or
Would like to have all your dental needs taken care of in one day.
..Then sedation dentistry may offer you the chance to overcome the fear that’s kept you from getting the dental care you need.
Nitrous Oxide Gas
As a traditional and conservative approach to sedation, nitrous oxide (once called laughing gas) has been used safely in dental settings for decades. The ADA endorses nitrous oxide as a safe and effective way to help patients be more comfortable during treatments, and it has little to no side effects. Nitrous oxide will not put you to sleep; you will easily be able to hear and respond to us at all times. The gas is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a face mask that covers the nose only, which means it is very easy to stop it at any, time if you choose. After your treatment, the effects of the gas will clear quickly, and you can drive yourself home.
Oral Sedation
For mild to moderate dental anxiety, oral sedation allows patients to relax and have a comfortable experience in the dental chair. This option is administered in pill form, and we do not begin treatment until it takes effect. You will be fully conscious, but will feel more at ease and perhaps even fall asleep naturally. Since the medication may linger in your system for a number of hours afterward, we do not recommend patients drive or operate heavy machinery after their appointments. You will need to have someone available to drive you home afterwards.
IV Sedation
Patients with severe anxiety often prefer to be less conscious during their dental treatments. With IV sedation, medication is administered intravenously (through your veins) and you will remain unaware during treatment. IV sedation can effectively control both pain and anxiety, and is a great option for patients who wish to have many dental procedures taken care of at once. We do not offer IV sedation at Family Dentistry and Aesthetics, but would be happy to recommend another dental office if this is the option you prefer.
Contact Us To Learn More
If you or a member of your family suffers from dental fear or anxiety and needs dental work, call our office today to schedule a conversation with one of our dentists. We’ve had many patients have successful visits and we are happy to explain how dental sedation works. Our staff have been trained on the safe use of sedative and anti-anxiety medications, and we follow ADA guidelines for all procedures.
If you are interested in learning more about sedation dentistry, call our Fort Wayne, Indiana dental office today at (260) 432-0561 to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists.
