Do you have dental anxiety? We understand that your discomfort is real, and we never want to minimize your phobia. But we also don’t want this to stand between you and the healthy smile you deserve. In today’s blog, your Overland Park, KS, dentist explains how we ensure a positive experience with sedation dentistry.
When You Benefit from Calming Medications
When do we recommend these options for our patients? As we mentioned above, if a person has special needs, an overactive gag reflex, or anxiety about seeing the dentist, we could prescribe medications to help them enter a deep state of calm and relaxation. This is also beneficial if they are undergoing procedures that are more involved, such as tooth extraction or dental implant placement.
Selecting an Option for You
We have two different options to choose from, but how do we select the right one for you? We take a number of different factors into account, such as your age, weight, medical history, and anxiety levels. We also look at any medications you are taking, and also the type of treatment you are undergoing. With this information, we can choose the perfect solution for you.
Nitrous Oxide and Oral Sedation
The most common option is a mild form known as nitrous oxide, or laughing gas. We will apply a mask over your nose. Once you breathe in a special gas, you will enter a deep state of calm and euphoria. You remain conscious and able to respond to the dentist as needed, but will have little to no memory of the procedure at all. We can adjust sedation levels during treatment. Once the procedure ends, so do the effects of the gas, so you can drive yourself home or even return to work or school.
If you need a deeper state of calm, then our team could offer oral sedation. This is taken before the procedure in a pill or liquid form. We may recommend wearing loose and comfortable clothing, and avoiding food and drink for the hours before the procedure. The effects are much deeper and you will likely have no memory of the procedure. The effects take time to wear off, so you will need a friend or family member to bring you home afterward.
If you have any questions about how we keep our patients calm and relaxed with sedation dentistry, or if you would like to learn more about our calming medications, then contact our team today to learn more.
Schedule Your Next Visit With Our Team Today
Our team wants to ensure that even if you have dental anxiety, we can ensure a comfortable and positive treatment experience. Call Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, today at 913-381-2600.