Sedation options for nervous patients
If the thought of being in the dentist chair fills you with anxiety, don’t worry. At DS Dental, we encounter a lot of people who are nervous about dentistry. Perhaps they’ve had a bad experience, or maybe a parent who passed along their own anxieties. Many have told us that their fears haven’t been taken seriously in the past.
Braces
Traditional braces consist of metal brackets that are glued to the teeth and connected by wires. These wires are periodically adjusted by an orthodontist to gradually move the teeth into their desired positions. Braces are effective in treating a wide range of orthodontic issues, including overcrowding, gaps between teeth, misaligned bites (underbite, overbite, crossbite), and crooked teeth
We take them seriously.
We do everything we can to make your experience comfortable and relaxed. If you need sedation dentistry to be comfortable, we’re happy to provide it. It’s a good way to reduce anxiety, and it allows us do more in each visit so fewer overall visits are needed with sleep dentistry
Consultation
The first step is an initial consultation with an orthodontist. During this visit, the orthodontist will evaluate your dental and facial structure, take X-rays, photographs, and impressions of your teeth, and discuss your treatment options.
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas):
This reduces anxiety and relaxes you. You’ll still be aware of what’s going on – you just won’t be as concerned about it.
Nitrous + anti-anxiety meds:
This combo is effective for more moderate anxiety. You’ll be awake but completely relaxed throughout the procedure, though you may not remember it afterwards..
Intravenous sedation
Often used for wisdom teeth or complicated extractions, this “twilight sleep” sedation is also useful for patients with moderate to severe anxiety. You’ll need someone to drive you home afterwards, and you will likely have trouble remembering the procedure.
General anesthesia:
We use this for people with severe anxiety, with a significant gag reflex, and for children who need to have extensive work done. You will need someone to drive you home after your procedure.
Children’s sedation options:
For children with extreme anxiety or those who need extensive dental work, our sleep dentistry offers a variety of sedation options that will take the stress out of the experience.