Your pulse races at the thought of sitting in the dental chair, and feelings of dread prevent you from scheduling regular dentist’s appointments. Sound familiar? Dental fear and anxiety is a real problem — and the good news is, we’ve got help! At Dr. Bruce E. Carter’s office, you can find the sedation dentistry in Lawrenceville you need to overcome your fear and anxiety… and relax through your next dental treatment. Keep reading to learn more about our two options, nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation.
Sedation Dentistry Provides Comfortable Care
OK, so you’ve probably never associated the words “relax” and “dentist,” but that’s exactly what you get with sedation dentistry — relaxing dental care. And whether you suffer from severe anxiety or just a little more fear than you’d like, we’ve got a safe, effective solution for you.
Nitrous Oxide
Known more popularly as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is administered using a facemask you breathe through during your dental treatment. Its mild sedative effects will relax you enough so that you’ll find you’re not so bothered by what’s going on around you anymore — but you’ll be totally awake and conscious throughout. When a dental procedure like a filling or root canal is necessary, nitrous oxide is combined with a local anaesthetic to ensure you feel no pain at the treatment site.
One of the great benefits of nitrous oxide is that its effects wear off as soon as the treatment is complete and your mask is removed. That means you can resume your day quickly, without the groggy side-effects of other anaesthetics.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Because oral conscious sedation provides a deeper relaxation, it is ideal for patients who suffer from more severe dental fear or anxiety. Those who wish to undergo longer or several procedures in one dental visit can also benefit from this option.
When you choose oral conscious sedation for your next treatment, Dr. Carter will prescribe a sedative pill for you to take about an hour before your appointment. Valium is a popular choice. By the time you’re settling into the dental chair, its effects will have taken over — and you’ll be even more comfortable with a local anaesthetic applied to the treatment site.
You’re still awake with oral conscious sedation (it’s in the name, after all), but you’re completely relaxed and removed from what’s going on around you. In fact, most patients report not remembering anything at all from their procedure — a wonderful benefit for anyone dealing with dental fear and anxiety.
Interested in Sedation Dentistry? Contact Us Today!
Would you like to find out how you can overcome your dental anxiety at Dr. Carter’s office? Please don’t wait to contact us to book your appointment. We want to remove the barriers to your good oral care — and we can do so with sedation dentistry. Request your appointment online today!