Dental fear and anxiety can prevent people from seeking the essential dental care they need to maintain a healthy smile and life. Many adults experience some level of dental anxiety, with estimates ranging from 25–50%, depending on the study. Common issues include worrying about an injection or procedure perceived to be painful, the discomfort of keeping one’s mouth open for an extended period of time or the need to undergo multiple procedures. If you’re looking for sedation anesthesia near you delivered by a caring and skilled prosthodontist in a soothing setting, you’ll feel comfortable at our practice. Dr. Bay offers customized sedation dentistry in Southlake, TX based on your unique needs and the type of surgical procedure you’re undergoing. You’ll discover a unique combination of positivity, comfortable amenities and sophisticated dental technologies at Smile Rehab Centers. Our goal is to deliver a more comfortable dental experience than you ever thought possible, and outcomes that exceed your expectations using soothing sedation dentistry and advanced techniques!
Dr. Bay offers customized sedation dentistry in Southlake, TX based on your unique needs and the type of surgical procedure you’re undergoing.
IV sedation is an ideal choice if you have more severe anxiety or you’re undergoing complex treatments. Administered intravenously through a vein in your hand or arm, IV sedation induces a sleeplike state, although you remain awake and can respond to our team. Our team closely monitors your vital signs to ensure your safety. Due to the amnesic effects of the drug, you’ll likely not remember much about the procedure. A designated adult will need to drive you home due to lingering side effects.
This type of dental anesthesia is ideal for mild to moderate levels of dental anxiety. Oral sedatives called benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Halcion and Xanax) work by decreasing activity in the parts of your brain that control fear and anxiety. Most patients take one pill an hour prior to their appointment, although some also take a pill the night before to alleviate worrying and losing sleep in anticipation of their visit. Your vital signs are closely monitored throughout your procedure. As with IV sedation, somebody will need to drive you home.
Sometimes called laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a colorless gas mixed with oxygen that you inhale through a small mask that fits over your nose. Nitrous oxide is an ideal option for alleviating mild to moderate dental anxiety and helping you relax. While under nitrous oxide, you remain conscious and experience a sense of well-being or euphoria. After the nitrous oxide is turned off, you breathe in oxygen only for a few minutes. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly and many patients have little memory about the procedure. This type of sedation doesn’t produce any lasting side effects, so you can drive yourself home.
As the strongest form of dental anesthesia, general anesthesia is typically reserved for patients with severe dental phobia or those undergoing lengthy, complex treatment. A board-certified anesthesiologist administers the anesthesia and closely monitors your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. General anesthesia induces an unconscious state, therefore you won’t be able to respond nor feel any pain during your procedure. The side effects can last for up to 12 hours, therefore a designated adult must accompany you to our office, stay during your procedure/recovery and drive you home.
Small oral health issues that go unchecked can eventually turn into big ones. Studies show dental fear increases the risk of tooth decay, gum disease and early tooth loss. These issues can affect your ability to eat, drink, speak and socialize, while advanced gum disease is associated with worsening symptoms in people with diabetes, respiratory disease and heart disease. The earlier gum disease is identified and treated, the better the chances of keeping your natural teeth and maintaining your oral and systemic health. Sedation dentistry takes the fear out of getting dental treatment—it’s an ideal option for many situations, including getting complex procedures like full mouth dental implants!
If you need dental anesthesia in Southlake, TX, our team is dedicated to providing the best possible dental experience. You and your smile will benefit from gentle care delivered by our skilled and compassionate team, our state-of-the-art technologies and wide range of sedation options!
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