The team at New Smiles Dental in Sherwood, OR understands that patients of all ages may have dental anxiety. Dental anxiety is a fear of visiting the dentist’s chair. It may develop due to concerns of another person being within their “personal space,” or because patients have had past negative experiences with a dental provider. Some patients are anxious because they expect to feel pain and cannot relax prior to their appointment or even during their visit. These concerns can be addressed with the use of sedation dentistry.
Sedation dentistry is a field of dentistry that can provide added comfort to patients who are undergoing dental services at New Smiles Dental. Our providers are pleased to offer a variety of sedation options for patients to use to feel comfortable and at ease during their visit. Below are the methods of sedation available:
- Nitrous oxide – often referred to as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is an odorless and colorless gas that can be administered through the nose during a dental visit to almost immediately relax a patient. Patients may get giddy during their appointment or may even doze off to sleep. To reverse the gas, the dentist will administer oxygen. This allows patients to leave the office and get back to their original self so they can transport themselves to work, school, or home following their visit.
- Oral conscious sedation – another solution for sedation is oral conscious sedation. This is the use of a pharmaceutical medication that is prescribed to patients by the dentist to take prior to leaving for their dental visit, approximately thirty minutes prior to their arrival. Patients can get through their dental appointment with ease and are transported home to rest. They may awaken with little to no recollection of their visit to New Smiles Dental—but with their dental work complete!
- IV sedation – IV sedation is sometimes required for those with more severe dental anxieties, and may include conscious IV sedation or deep IV sedation.
Ready to learn more about sedation dentistry?
Contact our practice today to discuss your options with our dentists. We welcome new and existing patients to call New Smiles Dental at (503) 925-9595 and visit us at 17680 SW Handley Street, Suite #101.
