You make an appointment for your semi-annual dental exam and your heart starts racing. As the weeks pass, the entry on your calendar becomes more and more intimidating: DENTIST APPOINTMENT @ 9:00. The closer you get to your appointment, the more anxious you feel. The night before your cleaning and examination, you can’t sleep. By the time you arrive at the office, your brow, upper lip, and back are completely sweat-soaked. At Caring Dental of Spotswood, we take our name seriously. We understand that fear of dental procedures and pain are real, so we strive to create a relaxing atmosphere for those who dread trips to the dentist. When a patient needs more than a pleasant atmosphere to feel comfortable, we are happy to offer sedation dentistry.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Whatever the source of your anxiety — anticipation of pain, drilling sounds, fear of needles — sedation dentistry puts you in a deep state of relaxation. You will be awake and aware, but fear and anxiety will be the last thing on your mind. Because our patients experience different levels of anxiety, we offer two types of sedation dentistry: nitrous oxide and oral sedation.
Nitrous Oxide: Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is the only sedation option that allows you to transport yourself to and from your appointments. This gas is mixed with oxygen and delivered through a mask worn over the nose during treatment. Your only concern will be to find the most comfortable position in our treatment chair. When your procedure is finished, the gas is turned off and, within minutes, you’re back to yourself and able to drive.
Oral Sedation: With oral sedation, we prescribe an oral sedative to be taken an hour prior to your appointment. By the time your ride delivers you to our practice, you will be relaxed and ready for your treatment. This is especially effective when combined with nitrous oxide. Although awake, many patients report having no memory of their procedure. Because the effects of oral sedation last for a few hours, you will need someone to drive you home from your appointment.
Whether you’re completely unfazed by trips to the dentist or completely terrified, we can make your appointment comfortable and relaxing. If you live in Spotswood, New Jersey, or the surrounding communities, we’d love to help you have the most positive dental experience ever. Contact our office today to learn more about sedation dentistry.
