Conquer Dental Anxiety With Sedation Dentistry [Video Q&A]

According to the Health Policy Institute of the American Dental Association, 1 in 3 adult Medicaid users who avoided visiting the dentist listed dental anxiety as the reason. This condition, often defined as a fear of the dentist, can affect anyone of any age. With dental anxiety, you may find it difficult to schedule dental appointments or even think about the dentist. This makes it incredibly difficult to show up twice a year for routine cleanings. But routine dental appointments are essential for keeping your smile healthy! And when you wait too long to visit the dentist, your dental care will become a dental problem, potentially requiring an emergency appointment.

If you’re struggling with dental anxiety, we know how to help! At Riviera Dental Care in Foley, AL, we offer safe and effective sedation dentistry to help patients like you feel more comfortable in our office.

Using Sedation Dentistry To Ease Dental Anxiety

Here at Riviera Dental Care, we pride ourselves on providing compassionate care and a welcoming environment. Even so, we understand that visiting the dentist can be scary, especially for those with dental anxiety. If you struggle with dental anxiety, we want to make your experience as comfortable as possible.

To help combat anxiety, we offer sedation dentistry. Using safe but effective sedatives, we help relax your mind while still keeping you awake during your treatment.

For most dental procedures, you need to be awake and alert enough to listen to instructions. If we need you to tilt your head or move your tongue, you can’t be put under for your treatment. But with dental sedation, we ease your anxiety and keep you calm throughout your procedure!

What Types of Sedation Do You Offer?

We offer several types of sedation to help keep you calm during dental treatments. Which type we use depends a lot on your specific needs and level of anxiety.

• Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): For those with some dental anxiety who need a little courage, we recommend using laughing gas. This is one of the safest and most commonly used forms of sedation. By inhaling the gas through a mask, you will immediately begin to feel its relaxing effects. But to reverse its effects, simply breathe in oxygen through the mask to flush the gas out of your system.
• Minimal Sedation (Oral Conscious Sedation): For patients who need a deeper level of relaxation, we offer oral sedation using prescription medication. Before arriving for your appointment, take the prescribed pill. By the time you reach our office (driven by someone you trust), you’ll feel extremely calm. Afterward, you may not remember most of the procedure, and you’ll need to be driven home by someone you trust.
• Moderate Sedation (IV Sedation): For those with significant dental anxiety, IV sedation provides an even deeper level of relaxation. While you’re not fully asleep, you will be very out of it, and you’ll have little to no memory of the appointment. To ensure your safety, we have a trained anesthesiologist administer the IV and monitor your levels throughout the procedure. This sedation method ensures a smooth, comfortable experience, keeping you calm and relaxed.

No matter your level of anxiety, we have a safe and effective sedation option to help you feel at ease during your treatment.

Overcome Your Dental Anxiety in Foley, AL!

If you’re one of the many patients who struggle with dental anxiety, sedation dentistry can help! Using these tools, we create positive experiences at the dentist to help you overcome your dental anxiety and get the treatments you need! At Riviera Dental Care, schedule an appointment to speak with one of our experienced dentists and learn how we help combat dental anxiety.

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