Do You Offer Sedation Dentistry?
Dental anxiety is common, but it shouldn’t keep you from essential care. Watch the video below to learn how our approach, including oral conscious sedation, can ease your fears.
Many people avoid the dentist despite knowing they have dental needs that require attention. I’ve found that the reasons vary—some people struggle to find the time, while others are concerned about the financial aspects of dental care. However, for the vast majority who delay necessary dental work, the primary issue is anxiety. Fear of the dentist, often stemming from past negative experiences, can be a significant barrier.
We understand this and have developed a systematic approach to help our patients overcome dental anxiety. The first step is building a trusting relationship. We begin with a consultation where we get to know each other, gradually developing a rapport over a series of appointments. Initially, you might feel nervous, but as we establish a connection, your anxiety will typically decrease with each visit. However, we recognize that sometimes dental needs are urgent, and there isn’t time to build this relationship gradually. In such cases, we offer oral conscious sedation to help manage anxiety.
Oral conscious sedation involves taking a prescribed medication before your appointment, which allows you to remain awake and responsive but in a deeply relaxed state. This type of sedation is particularly effective because it keeps you calm while still enabling you to follow instructions during the procedure. We take every precaution to ensure your safety, continuously monitoring your oxygen levels, blood pressure, and heart rate throughout your visit.
What I’ve found in my practice is that for new patients experiencing significant anxiety, oral conscious sedation is often necessary at first. However, after two or three appointments, most patients no longer need it. The positive, anxiety-free experiences build confidence, allowing them to undergo future dental work without sedation. This tool helps us remove the obstacles that prevent you from achieving optimal oral health.
