Do you have anxiety about seeing the dentist? We understand your fears are real, and that these can stand between you and the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve. Which is why we offer options to help people with anxiety stay calm and relaxed. In today’s blog, your Katy, TX, dentist talks about sedation dentistry.
When You Need a Calming Agent
Our team could recommend this for kids or adults with anxiety, especially if this is severe enough that they otherwise avoid even minor checkups and cleanings. We don’t want your fears to lead to worsening oral health and painful symptoms. This can also be helpful for those with special needs, or anyone undergoing a more extensive treatment option, such as oral surgery (which could include everything from tooth extraction to dental implant placement). Our team will take your age, weight, medical history, and oral health and anxiety levels into account when we select the sedation option for you.
Nitrous Oxide
A very common option and one that is commonly referred to as laughing gas. We administer the gas through a mask over the nose, and this helps you enter a calm and relaxed state immediately. The effects wear off right away once the procedure ends, and in many cases, people drive themselves home or return to work or school.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is a deeper form of relaxation that is administered in the form of a pill or liquid before the procedure. You may need to avoid food or drink for the eight hours before the treatment, and we will usually schedule these first thing in the morning. You again enter a deep state of calm, and will have little to no memory of the procedure at all. The effects take time to wear off, so you will need a friend or family member to bring you home afterward.
IV Sedation
The deepest form of calming available is IV sedation, which as the name implies, is administered through an IV. A trained anesthesiologist will be on hand the entire time to monitor you and adjust levels as needed. You enter a very deep state of calm, with no memory of the procedure. Again, you will need someone to bring you home afterward as the effects take time to wear off completely.
If you have any questions about the calming agents we offer for our patients with anxiety, or if you would like to schedule a visit and finally receive the care you need to smile with confidence, then contact our team today to learn more.
Your Katy, TX, Dentist Provides Calming Solutions
We’re ready to help people with anxiety enjoy their time in the office. Call Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849 for more information or to schedule your appointment.
