Fear of going to the dentist is extremely common among people of all ages. Dental fear is often based on a fear of pain. Pain should be minimal during your regularly scheduled oral cleaning, but the fear of pain and going to the dentist can keep some people from visiting the dentist for years. In between these rare visits, a simple problem can become a big problem. When a nervous patient needs an intensive treatment, it can cause more fear.
The best way to prevent serious problems is to keep your regularly scheduled appointments. But how can you overcome your fear of dental visits? Sedation dentistry may be a good option for you.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry refers to the use of medication to allow patients to relax during their dental procedure. Depending on how nervous the patient is or the type of procedure, Drs. Neuhaus can use more or less medication to vary the level of sedation.
At Creekside Dentistry we use nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas. This method allows the patient to relax while remaining conscious and responsive – there is no need to “go to sleep.” Nitrous oxide is inhaled through a mask – no needles or injection of any kind.
What is the Downtime?
Unlike some heavier forms of sedation, nitrous oxide works only when the mask is in place. When the mask is removed, the patient is able to recover quickly from the sedation, so there is little to no downtime. Nitrous oxide is the only form of sedation that you can drive after using.
Is Nitrous Oxide Safe?
Nitrous oxide has been used as a medical anesthetic since 1844. It is listed on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines, and is considered one of the safest and most effective medicines in use. If you have any concerns, discuss them with your dentist before treatment, and he can adjust your sedation plan to work for you.
Schedule an Appointment
Don’t let dental fear keep you from getting the treatment you need. Contact Creekside Dentistry online or at (716) 262-8070, and ask about sedation dentistry today.