27
Jun
Easing Dental Anxiety: How to Overcome Your Fear
Dental anxiety is a common concern affecting many individuals, preventing them from seeking the dental care they need. At Santa Rosa Dentistry and Implant Center, we prioritize patient comfort and offer various sedation options to help alleviate anxiety. This FAQ article addresses common questions about dental anxiety and outlines the sedation methods available at our practice.
What is Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety refers to the fear, anxiety, or stress associated with visiting the dentist. This can stem from a previous negative experience, fear of pain, or even the sound of dental instruments. Dental anxiety can lead to avoidance of dental visits, which may result in poor oral health.
What Sedation Options Are Available for Managing Dental Anxiety?
We offer three primary sedation methods to help manage dental anxiety at our office:
- Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
- Oral Conscious Sedation
- General Anesthesia
What is Nitrous Oxide?
Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, is a mild sedative inhaled through the nose. Thanks to its calming effects, patients benefit from feeling more at ease and relaxed during dental procedures.
- How Does Nitrous Oxide Work? It calms the nervous system, inducing a state of relaxation. Patients remain awake and responsive, but experience reduced anxiety and discomfort.
- Is Nitrous Oxide Safe? Yes, it is a safe and effective sedation method widely used in dentistry. Patients can drive themselves home after the appointment because it wears off quickly.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is administered by taking a prescribed medication before the dental appointment to help patients relax.
- How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work? The medication induces deep relaxation while allowing patients to remain awake and responsive to instructions. Patients may feel drowsy and might need to remember more of the procedure.
- Is Oral Conscious Sedation Safe? Yes, oral conscious sedation is safe when administered by a trained dental professional. We thoroughly review each patient’s medical history to determine the appropriate dosage.
What is General Anesthesia?
General anesthesia involves administering a medication that makes the patient completely unconscious during treatment. This method is typically reserved for long treatments or multiple procedures at one time.
- How Does General Anesthesia Work? It is administered through an IV, ensuring the patient is fully unconscious and unaware of the procedure.
- Is General Anesthesia Safe? Yes, general anesthesia is safe when administered by qualified professionals. It is typically used for extensive dental work or patients with severe dental anxiety.
How Do I Know Which Sedation Option is Right for Me?
The appropriate sedation method relies on various factors, including the patient’s level of anxiety, the type of dental procedure, and medical history. During your consultation, we will discuss your concerns and recommend the best sedation option to suit your requirements.
Dental anxiety should not prevent you from receiving the dental care you need. At Santa Rosa Dentistry and Implant Center, we are committed to providing a comfortable and stress-free environment for all our patients. If you experience dental anxiety, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Schedule a consultation today by calling (707) 542-6772.
Dr. Wayne Sutton
Connect with Dr. Wayne Sutton on Linkedin
Dr. Sutton is one of the premier cosmetic dentists in Sonoma County, and with over 20 years of experience, his implant center maintains a standard of excellence using the strongest dental implant bridge currently available to provide predictable full mouth dental implant reconstructions.
Dr. Sutton completed his postgraduate studies at The Pacific Aesthetic Continuum in San Francisco and received his doctorate, three years of experience as a clinical instructor, and the coveted “Clinical Excellence Award” from UCSF School of Dentistry in 1997. He also earned his Fellowship in the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics and studied Advanced Occlusion at the Hornbrook Group.
Dr. Sutton continues to take four times the annual continuing education requirements to maintain his license. As a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (awarded his Fellowship), the Academy of General Dentistry (Fellowships status), the American Dental Implant Association (Diplomat status), the American Dental Association, the American Academy for Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Sutton is also a select cosmetic dentist recognized as an Official Dentist of the Mrs. Globe – Mrs. USA Pageants.