
Do you avoid dental appointments out of fear? Would you rather endure a severe toothache than step into a dental office? You’re not alone—many people experience odontophobia or dental anxiety. Fortunately, there’s a solution: sedation dentistry.
At Ponderosa Dental Group, we believe everyone deserves not only comprehensive dental care but also a comfortable and stress-free experience. We are committed to improving both your oral health and your comfort, which is why we offer several sedation dentistry options. With us, you can receive the treatment you need in the relaxed, tranquil environment you deserve.
Contact our office today and say goodbye to dental anxiety and hello to your new smile!
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
It is estimated that over 30% of people suffer from dental anxiety and nearly 15% report a true phobia of dentists. Sedation dentistry is a medication method to help soothe the mind and relax the body. By reducing anxiety and easing tension, patients can get the treatment they need without undue stress.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, sedation dentistry has been shown to help with other medical conditions as well. Patients with involuntary movement disorders such as Tourettes or Parkinson’s Disease have smoother treatments and so do patients who have difficulty staying seated for long periods of time.
Is Sedation Dentistry Right for Me?
The goal of sedation dentistry is to ensure that your dental experience is as comfortable as possible and doesn’t cause you any unnecessary stress. You may be a great candidate for this service if any of the following apply to you:
- You have avoided a dental visit due to fear or anxiety.
- You feel increased stress or nervous in medical areas (dentist or doctors’ offices)
- You have a sensitive gag reflex.
- You have an involuntary movement disorder (tremors, restless leg syndrome, etc.)
- You have a high tolerance to anesthesia (sedation dentistry may improve the effectiveness of anesthetics).
If any of the above has described you or a loved one, contact your friends at Ponderosa Dental Group today to learn more.
The Sedation Dentistry Services We Offer:
At our office, we are dedicated to ensuring each patient has a pleasant dental experience. That is why we offer several different sedation treatment options, so you can determine which will be the most effective to help you maximize your comfort.
- Nitrous Oxide: Nitrous Oxide is also known as ‘laughing gas’. It is colorless and has a sweet scent. The nitrous oxide is delivered through a mask and relaxes your body. You remain conscious and able to hear and respond throughout the procedure. The effects wear off once we remove the mask.
- Oral Conscious Sedation: Oral sedation comes in the form of oral medication. Common among these are diazepam, triazolam, and lorazepam. In general, we recommend you take this medication one hour prior to your appointment. Oral Sedation lasts longer than nitrous oxide and you should not drive after your appointment.
- Deep Sedation: We work with a nurse anesthetist to administer IV deep sedation. With deep sedation, you won’t be fully unconscious, but you will sleep through the procedure and likely will have little or no memory of it. With deep sedation you will feel groggy and tired most of the day and will not be able to drive. Please call the office if you would like additional information.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Surprisingly, sedation dentistry has more benefits than simply making your dental experience as comfortable as possible. It’s true! While you will certainly feel better being relaxed during treatment, it can actually create advantages such as:
- Faster Appointment: Your dentist can usually work faster when you are sedated since you are not nervous and fidgety.
- Dreamlike Treatment: Most patients describe their treatment as passing like a dream, making the experience feel much shorter and more pleasant.
- Lower Anxiety: Sedation is a great way to relax during your procedure.
- Improve Oral Health: If you normally skip your dentist appointments out of fear, sedation dentistry can be a big help. Your oral health can improve when you attend all of your scheduled dental appointments.
How Does Sedation Services Work?
When you make your appointment, let us know that you are interested in sedation. For oral sedation, we will discuss the options with you, go over your insurance coverage, and explain the procedure for getting a script. If you choose nitrous oxide, it will be administered prior to and during your procedure.
Does Insurance Cover Sedation
What insurance can cover is varied. We are happy to look over your policy and discuss your coverage with you!
Don’t Let Dental Anxiety Stand in Your Way!
At Ponderosa Dental Group, we do not want anything to stop your treatment. Whether you schedule a cleaning or a root canal, we are ready to discuss sedation choices with you. Take the first step and make your appointment today!