Sedation Dentistry

Sedation Dentistry

Dental anxiety shouldn’t stop you from keeping healthy teeth and gums.

Fear around going to the dentist isn’t an isolated phenomenon and its okay if the idea of visiting the dentist makes you feel uneasy; you’re not alone. For many, the dentist was the first experience with labcoats, cleaning tools, and sitting still for a long time. Childhood memories can stick with people. And if you had cavities as a kid, those memories may be even more vivid and haunting.

On top of that, the possibility that your oral health may be less than perfect adds to the anxiety. Unfortunately, that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy because, without regular cleaning, you will eventually experience teeth and gum disease that could be easily prevented with a checkup and basic daily oral hygiene. Do you feel anxiety around the dentist?

Sedation dentistry was created for you. Also known as sleep dentistry, this compassionate type of dental care:

• Allows you to relax during dental checkups, cleanings, or treatments
• Is usually very affordable, and dental insurance may help you pay for it
• Helps prevent more costly problems with the gums and teeth that can occur when you skip cleanings
• Has some minor short-term side-effects, which our staff will explain to you
• Can be used even for the more painful dental procedures, so you feel nothing

We care about your comfort here at Espire Dental. That includes your mental and emotional wellbeing as we provide you with a whole mouth health evaluation and care. Because of this, we have a few options for you to consider on your next visit.

Nitrous Oxide

You may know of nitrous as “laughing gas”. Despite what you may have seen in the movies, nitrous really just temporarily slows down your nervous system, so you think and act more slowly. At the same time, you may feel a sense of joy, reduced pain levels, and pleasant calmness. Yes, sometimes you may feel the “giggles” coming on. We’re used to that!

The amount we give you won’t put you to sleep, so you’re still aware of what’s going on around you and can respond to our directions. During administration, you nose-breathe normally with a mask, and then you’ll begin to feel the effects of this fast-acting yet safe gas in a matter of minutes. Once the mask is removed, you will slowly return to feeling normal.

Oral Sedation Pills

In this option, you take a pill, which is an oral sedative that supports feelings of relaxation during your time in the chair. In addition to the immediate effects, this sedative also reduces your ability to store memories during treatment, so if the dental office’s sights and smells increase anxiety levels, those experiences won’t linger to keep you up at night.