Do you feel anxious about visiting the dentist? Do you avoid the dentist because of fear and anxiety? In 2015, the American Dental Association (ADA) stated that 22% of adults do not go to the dentist. The reason cited was that they are afraid of the dentist. Sedation dentistry in our Dallas, TX, office can help.
The reasons people have a fear of the dentist include fear of pain, a loss of control, and embarrassment. Patients can also feel nervous about injections or side effects of anesthetics. Dental phobia is a serious condition that prevents people from getting the care they need.
The key to addressing your anxiety is to discuss your fears with Dr. Bradley Dean, a Dallas dentist. Dr. Dean offers two main types of sedation so you will not feel any pain or even remember your dental treatment.
Benefits of Dallas Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry allows Dallas periodontist Dr. Dean to safely and comfortably deliver dental care. If you suffer from anxiety, there are more benefits to sedation than calming your nerves. These benefits include:
- More effective anesthetic
- Treating a gag reflex
- Less anxiety
- No joint and muscle soreness
- More treatment in fewer visits
- We get the treatment done in a more timely manner
- You won’t suffer from painful memories
We usually recommend sedation if you have lengthy treatment or multiple treatments in one visit. Our office often recommends sedation for these problems:
- Low pain tolerance
- Sensitive gag reflex
- A fear of pain
- Difficulty sitting still in the chair
Please contact us if you have dental fear or anxiety. We will work with you to find the best treatment to ensure pain-free and relaxing care.
How to Get Care with Dental Anxiety
Without routine visits to the dentist, you can face gum disease, oral cancer, and missing teeth. Dental anxiety is one of the leading factors in poor oral health among adults today. Many patients suffer from complex problems, affecting their daily quality of life due to a fear of visiting the dentist.
Avoiding necessary care can cause many costly issues down the road. Gum disease treatment and implants can cost thousands of dollars. These treatments also take time to complete.
Sedation dentistry allows patients to receive care without fear or anxiety. We can perform more procedures in a single visit, saving the patient time, money, and stress. Dr. Dean offers oral and IV sedation. He will recommend the most suitable option based on your medical history and the type of treatment you will receive.
In addition to sedation, we recommend:
- Bring Headphones: Listening to music can provide a welcome distraction. You can also bring noise-canceling headphones so you do not hear anything. We recommend headphones if loud noises make you feel anxious.
- Tour Our Office: Before your visit, you can call us to tour our office and meet our staff. That way, you will be more familiar with our team. Then, once you come back to our office, you have a better grasp of what to expect.
- Use Relaxation Exercises: Meditation and breathing techniques can keep you calm and distract you. Counting your breaths or scanning your body and relaxing each body part can calm you down.
- Ask Questions: We will happily answer your questions or discuss your concerns. Our team will help you understand treatment so it seems less scary. Patient education is a great way to help you understand what we do and what happens during treatment.
Considerations Before Sedation
We will review your current medication and medical history before treatment. Based on our findings, we will recommend the right sedation. Sometimes, we recommend certain types of sedation based on your medical problems.
If you are allergic to anti-anxiety medication, we will not recommend oral conscious sedation. Additionally, if you have sleep apnea, kidney problems, or liver problems, we may not recommend IV sedation. If you fear of needles, an IV may not be right for you. We will also not recommend sedation if you are pregnant, as it can cause complications.
Our office will always choose the safest option for your treatment. We will discuss your needs and possible reactions to care for the best results.
Is Sedation Safe?
Yes, dental sedation is completely safe. In addition to reviewing your medical conditions and medications, we can control the amount of sedation you receive. When we provide IV sedation, we can control the amount of medication that flows through the cannula. If you take medication before treatment, we can provide a different medication to reverse the effects.
Dr. Dean is trained to provide safe sedation. He can answer any questions before treatment so you can understand treatment and recovery.
Sedation Dentistry Options in Dallas, TX
Whether you visit us for long treatments, need multiple treatments in one visit, or simply have anxiety, we can help. We offer several sedation options to ensure your comfort during treatment:
Oral Sedation Dentistry
We administer this option in pill form, but it is available only with a prescription. Oral sedation dentistry will enable you to respond and control your bodily functions throughout the procedure. However, you will be in a deep state of relaxation.
When the sedation wears off, you will only remember bits and pieces from the appointment. Most people report not recalling any pain or fear. This type of sedation may take several hours to wear off completely. As a result, you need to arrange for transportation after treatment.
IV Sedation Dentistry
IV sedation delivers medication directly through the bloodstream through a cannula. It provides immediate relaxation and comfort before treatment. Dr. Dean is licensed and trained to provide the IV sedation technique at his Dallas dentist’s office.
The effects of IV sedation resolve quickly once we remove the IV. This technique has a faster recovery with fewer side effects than other types of sedation. Still, we may recommend you be driven to and from our office if you get IV sedation.
Reactions to Sedation
After treatment, you may still be sleepy. You may also feel nauseous, depending on how long you are under sedation.
Other common side effects include:
- Watery eyes
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
These side effects can last several hours. However, you will not have extensive effects as you would under general anesthesia. We recommend taking pain medication as prescribed for headaches or discomfort.
We also recommend resting after your treatment. Taking it easy after dental care will help you to heal faster and more comfortably.
Am I Asleep Under Sedation?
No, you will not fall asleep under sedation. You may not remember your treatment, but you will not be asleep. You may even react to our instructions without realizing it.
Additionally, you may feel like you fall asleep under twilight sedation. This combination of anesthesia and sedation completely relaxes you. You will not feel pain from your treatment, and you will still feel comfortable.
Get Comfortable Care
Do you avoid dental visits? Get the care you need with pain-free dental visits. Call for sedation dentistry from our dentist in Dallas, TX, at (972) 666-1594. You can also schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Dean online.
Please let us know at your next visit if you have any questions. We’re here to support you through your care.