Options from Your Dentist to Minimize Dental Anxiety
Many children and adults suffer from dental anxiety. Memories of negative experiences with a dentist years ago may come up again. This may cause delays and even cancellations in dental appointments. Reducing such anxiety and fears is valuable in getting proper dental care. If you want to find out the options your dentist can offer to reduce dental anxiety,here are the details. Please note that for healthy individuals general anesthesia and moderate sedation is an option that our dental office provides regularly.
Oral anxiolytic tablets (anxiety-relieving medication)
Some dentists can prescribe these medications to help ease dental anxiety in patients. A small, single dose is short-acting. The patient will take one dose an hour before the dental procedure. The dentist and patient are able to talk to each other during the dental visit. But the patient may not remember every detail of the conversation after the dental appointment. This option may be based on a patient's honest conversation with the dentist about any dental anxiety. Someone will need to drive the patient to the clinic and back home. The effects of the dental anxiety-relieving medication will make driving unadvisable.
Laughing gas (happy gas or relative analgesia)
This is nitrous oxide gas. It can help patients relax during the dental appointment. The dentist fits a mask on the patient’s face. The patient breathes a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen gases. This gas affects the patient right away. It also wears off in a rapid way as well. The patient will remain awake in a relaxed state. Most patients find this form of relaxation pleasant.
General anesthesia
This type of treatment for dental anxiety often takes place in a hospital but is an option available with Casas Adobes Dentistry. The dentist and anesthetist will be present during the dental procedure. General anesthesia makes the patient sleep throughout the dental visit. Side effects include long recovery time and nausea.
General anesthesia may be a solution for patients with severe dental anxiety. And the positive experience may help the patient cope or feel at ease about the next dental appointment. The patient may need visits to the dentist before and after the procedure. The anesthetist will need to check the patient before giving the general anesthesia. The patient will need a companion. This person will need to drive the patient to the facility and then back home.
The dentist may perform some additional minor dental care before the main dental surgery. The patient is able to stay under general anesthesia for any invasive or major dental procedures. The dentist can determine options for a patient suffering from dental anxiety as needed. General anesthesia can keep the patient calm and asleep.
Conscious sedation
This type of dental anxiety relief comes in the form of an IV (intravenous) line. The patient will take the sedative through a vein in the hand or arm. The procedure will need a hospital or a complete dental facility. Casas Adobes Dentistry is able to provide this option too. The light sleep will allow the patient to respond to verbal instructions. Nausea and drowsiness are common side effects. The patient will need someone to drive after the procedure.
Relieving dental anxiety can help provide you with quality dental care
Some people need more assistance when it comes to having dental checkups and procedures because of anxiety or fear. The fear they have of dentists may have come from a negative experience with a dentist in the past such as childhood dental checks. Our dental office has options for minimizing dental axiety and fear available to you during your visit. Sedation dentistry is important and can be helpful if you have anxiety or a fear of dentists. Casas Adobes Dentistry can present these options if a patient shares about or mentions dental anxiety. Speaking with our dental staff may help determine which option can serve you most to possibly help ease any anxiety or fears.
Are you considering treating dental anxiety in the Tucson area? Get more information at https://www.casasadobesdentistry.com.
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