If you’ve been putting off your dentist appointment because you’re afraid of the dentist, you’re not the only one. Research shows that up to 15% of Americans avoid seeing the dentist due to anxiety, but Dr. Jacob Grapevine’s Plano TX dental practice offers three types of sedation dentistry to help ease dental anxiety and keep your oral health in check.
Sedation dentistry, also referred to as “relaxation” or “anxiety-free” dentistry, uses oral medication to provide a relaxing experience for patients who avoid the dentist due to dental anxiety or fear of the dentist.
Is Sedation Dentistry Right For You?
Sedation dentistry helps reduce the symptoms of dental fear, but it doesn’t address the cause. Try to uncover what makes you anxious about the dentist. Is it because of a negative past experience? Are you afraid of pain or gagging? Many people have a fear of losing control, which can cause anxiety.
Sedation dentistry can help you confront these situations in a more relaxed mindset. It is also appropriate for people who have a low pain threshold, need a large amount of dental work, or individuals who have a hard time sitting still in the dentist’s chair.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
Nitrous Oxide
You might know nitrous oxide by its common name of laughing gas. It’s an effective sedative that is inhaled through a mask that fits over your nose. Instead of putting you to sleep, nitrous oxide helps you feel more calm and comfortable while still staying alert enough to carry on a conversation with the dentist and follow instructions. The effects wear off quickly after the mask is removed, and you should be able to drive yourself home from your procedure.
Oral Sedation
This type of sedation is taken in pill form. You will still be aware of your surroundings and follow directions, but you’ll be less alert than with nitrous oxide. The drug that most dentists use is in the same drug family as Valium, so you’ll feel drowsy and will need someone to take you to and from our office.
IV Dental Sedation
Dr. Grapevine offers IV dental sedation, which puts patients in a deep sleep. A medical anesthesiologist administers the sedation and you are under their care during the entire procedure. You will have no recollection of the dental procedure and will need transportation to and from the procedure.
Sedation Dentistry with Dr. Grapevine
Our goal is to make sure your visit with us is comfortable and stress-free. We strive to maintain a positive, relaxing atmosphere and professional and friendly staff. If you’d like to learn more about sedation dentistry in Plano, TX with Dr. Grapevine, schedule an appointment online or call (972) 268-6480 today.