If you have anxiety about visiting the dentist, you are certainly not alone. Many people avoid the dentist because phobias prevent them from scheduling an appointment, even when they have dental issues that require attention. To help combat dental anxiety, our Las Vegas dental practice offers sedation dentistry to patients that need help facing their fear of the dentist.
Sedation Options for Dental Anxiety
Our dental office offers a few approaches for patients who experience dental anxiety, depending on how severe it is:
- Nitrous oxide, a mild, fast-acting option that wears off quickly after your appointment
- Oral Conscious Sedation, which uses a sedative you take before your visit while you remain awake and breathing on your own
- Intravenous (IV) Conscious Sedation, which is administered and monitored by an anesthesiologist for patients who need a deeper level of relaxation
Dental anxiety can range from mild to severe, and can be a barrier to optimal oral health. For patients who experience this, our sedation methods can provide the benefits of relaxation without the complications associated with general anesthesia.
Beyond Sedation: Other Ways We Help
Sedation is not the only tool for managing dental anxiety. Simple steps can also make a real difference, including:
- Talking through your specific fears with your dentist before treatment begins, so your care team knows what to watch for
- Agreeing on a signal, such as raising a hand, so you can pause the procedure at any point
- Scheduling appointments at a time of day when you tend to feel calmer and less rushed
Sedation dentistry provides the following benefits to patients suffering from dental anxiety:
- Relaxation
- Calmer nerves
- Reduced sensitivity during treatment
Why Avoiding the Dentist Can Make Things Harder
Regular dental care is important to your health. Putting off appointments because of fear often allows small issues to progress into ones that require more involved treatment later, which can create a cycle where anxiety about the dentist grows along with the size of the problem. Addressing anxiety directly, rather than avoiding care altogether, tends to be easier in the long run.
The goal of Drs. Chin and Pharar Dentistry is to ensure you are calm and comfortable during your dental appointment. We understand that dealing with dental anxiety can be challenging, and we are here to make sure you feel good about visiting the dentist. Please contact our office online today to discuss your sedation options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Anxiety
What is the mildest sedation option for dental anxiety?
Nitrous oxide is generally the mildest option, providing light relaxation that wears off quickly after your appointment ends, which allows most patients to drive themselves home afterward.
Will I be unconscious during oral conscious sedation?
No. With oral conscious sedation, you remain awake and breathing on your own, though you will likely feel very relaxed and may not remember much of the procedure afterward.
Can I request a signal to pause my procedure if I feel anxious?
Yes. Many patients agree on a simple signal, like raising a hand, with their dental team before treatment begins so they can pause at any point they need to.
Will I need someone to drive me home after IV sedation?
Yes. IV conscious sedation typically requires a ride home, since the effects take longer to fully wear off compared to nitrous oxide or oral sedation.
What happens if I keep avoiding the dentist because of anxiety?
Avoiding care often allows small issues to progress into ones that require more involved treatment later. Talking with your dentist about your anxiety directly usually makes the process easier than continuing to put it off.