Use Sedation Dentistry to Overcome Your Dental Phobia

We offer sedation dentistry for patients that are anxious or fearful of visiting the dentist, along with those that simply want a relaxing experience.  According to a study completed at the Dental Fears Clinic at the University of Washington, around twenty percent of adults avoid visiting the dentist unless it is absolutely necessary due to their dental phobia.  An additional five to eight percent will avoid the dentist altogether. The challenge is that when you avoid the dentist, you increase your risk of getting cavities or an oral infection – some of the very things causing the anxiety in the first place.  It is far better to see a dentist at least twice a year in order to avoid any potential complications.  We understand that for some people this is easier said than done, which is why we offer various methods of treatment. In addition to providing sedation dentistry, our team works with patients to identify what is causing their phobia in the first place.  Here are some of the common reasons that patients avoid the dentist:

• Fear of pain.  Let us be clear – most dental procedures are NOT painful.  In fact, they cause very little if any discomfort. The fear myth is really that – a myth.  Whether horror stories told to scare children or one person with a bad experience telling all of their friends, it is very rare for people to experience pain at the dentist.  If this concerns you, let us know so that we can discuss the likelihood of you experiencing any discomfort and make plans to avoid it.
• Concern over being helpless.  Oftentimes the phobia comes from not understanding what is going to happen and feeling helpless due to that lack of knowledge.  We can walk you through the procedure step by step so that you know what to expect and can be in control over selecting a procedure and medication plan that is right for you.
• Worry that it won’t work.  Some patients worry that the pain medication won’t work.  You don’t need to be concerned about this.  We offer sedation dentistry and are completely successful at ensuring that our patients stay comfortable.  If you feel any discomfort and need additional pain relief, we can provide it quickly and immediately.

It is important to discuss all of your concerns with us so that we can discuss them, provide more information about your options, and work with you.  This way you can become comfortable with the procedure itself before ever getting started.  This also allows us to determine which level of sedation is necessary in order to keep you feeling comfortable and relaxed before and during your treatment.  We offer several levels of sedation including:

• Oral sedation to help you relax.  This may include taking a valium before your procedure.  It will simply remove the anxiety or stress that you are feeling in anticipation of the procedure.
• IV sedation. This may be used when performing more in depth procedures like placing dental veneers.  Whether or not you need this will be based on your consultation and oral health.
• Deep sedation.  If you are getting oral surgery for dental implants, we will typically use deep sedation where you are put to sleep.  This way you can rest while we get to work.

For more information, call our office and schedule a consultation.  Working together, we can help you to overcome your dental anxiety.

---