Spooked By The Dentist’s Office? Try Sedation Dentistry! [BLOG]
In a couple of weeks, you’ll be visited by tiny ghosts, goblins, and witches galore invading your front porch and demanding sugary treats. You’ll stand in line for a haunted house and squeal in terror as zombies with chainsaws chase you down dark corridors. You might even take in a few of your favorite scary movies.
But one thing you certainly won’t be doing this Halloween season is visiting your dentist’s office for a routine dental cleaning and exam! Oh, the horror!
In all seriousness, dental anxiety is a genuine fear that affects millions of people. It’s when you’re so nervous about a dental appointment that you’d rather walk through a haunted forest being chased by monsters than open wide for a routine cleaning. And it can have a profound impact on the look and health of your smile.
That’s why our team at Alluring Smiles is sharing today’s blog with you about how you can overcome your fear of dental care with our options in sedation dentistry!
With our warm, friendly staff, highly-trained professionals, and sedation methods, you’ll feel completely at ease when you’re in our care. That means no more cancelling your appointments last minute, no more dental problems that go untreated, and no more unsightly flaws in your smile that make you hide in fear.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry comes in three main forms:
-Nitrous Oxide (or laughing gas)
-Oral Sedation (in pill form)
-IV Sedation
The method you choose will depend on your level of anxiety and the type of procedure you need to have. We should also point out that not every dental office is able to offer these forms of sedation, but Alluring Smiles is!
Dr. Portocarrero has special training and certification required to administer the highest level, IV sedation, so that our patients can have the most comfortable dental experience possible. He’s dedicated to making sure you get the treatment you need for a healthy, beautiful smile, and he understands that making that happen is incredibly difficult for fearful patients. That’s why he goes above and beyond to be able to provide this level of high-quality dental care.
Let’s take a closer look at the sedation options we mentioned earlier!
Nitrous Oxide – Also referred to as laughing gas, this is the mildest form of sedation. It’s safe for all ages and is perfect for people who just need a little help getting relaxed. It works quickly and wears off immediately, so you don’t have to arrange for anyone to bring you to and from your dental appointment.
Oral Sedation – Maybe your level of dental anxiety is a bit more intense, or perhaps you require more extensive treatment than just a cleaning and exam. Oral sedation is well-suited for you because it’s a stronger sedative in pill form that you take just prior to your appointment.
Although you’re awake during treatment, you’re so calm and relaxed that you really don’t care that it’s happening! Because it’s a stronger sedative and takes longer to wear off than nitrous oxide, you will have to have someone drive you to and from our Mesa dental office.
IV Sedation – If your fears have kept you from the dentist long enough that your dental problems require multiple appointments and more complicated procedures, IV sedation is a highly effective way to get your oral health back on track.
This is the highest level of sedation where a sedative is administered through an IV, and you’re in such a deep state of relaxation, many patients report not being able to recall their procedure at all! It’s a great way to help ease the minds of especially nervous patients so they can get the dental care they desperately need.
Learn More About Sedation Dentistry At Alluring Smiles!
This Halloween season, celebrate all things scary with fun costumes, haunted houses, and little trick-or-treaters, not the dentist’s office! Don’t let your dental anxiety keep you from your healthiest smile!
Find out which of our sedation dentistry options is right for you! Call our Mesa, AZ dental office today at 480-525-6617 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment.
