If you are one of the millions of patients who struggles with dental phobia, visiting the dental office is not just a routine task. It can be a huge emotional, mental, and even physical burden. In fact, your anxiety may be so intense that you have not visited the dentist for many years, and you now struggle with serious oral health issues. If this sounds familiar, a sedation dentist can change your mind forever. With the sedation options available at Maidu Dental, you will feel calm and relaxed. In fact, if necessary, we can provide deep sedation so you will not be aware of what is going on during your appointment. Dr. Markham is an experienced sedation dentist. She and her team are familiar with various types of dental sedation. They will recommend the most appropriate kind for you and make sure that you are safe and comfortable throughout your entire treatment.
Effective Care No Matter What Causes Your Dental Phobia
Dental anxiety can stem from many sources:
- Scary stories heard from someone else
- Embarrassment about your dental health, breath, or the look of your smile
- Claustrophobia
- A bad experience at another office
- A strong gag reflex
- Fear of injections
For any of these reasons, the thought of going to the dentist can cause feelings of moderate to intense anxiety. Depending on the level of your phobia, you may experience:
- Insomnia one or more days before your appointment
- Nausea or lack of appetite
- Racing heartbeat
- Perspiration
- Obsessive or racing thoughts
Sedation Options for All Treatments and Levels of Anxiety
We offer several types of sedation and will carefully select the right option for you, considering both the level of your anxiety and your overall health needs. Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as “laughing gas,” is the most conservative option. This odorless, colorless gas causes feelings of happiness and giddiness. You will breathe it in through a mask, and it will take effect almost immediately. It also wears off quickly and has very few side effects.
Oral sedation may be more appropriate if you struggle with more intense anxiety or moderate dental phobia. With this option, your sedation dentist will prescribe an antianxiety pill to take before you come into the office. If you need additional sedation, we will provide another pill at your appointment. The drug will make you deeply relaxed and sleepy, and you will remember very little the next day.
IV sedation is the deepest form that we offer. It may be right for you if you struggle with severe anxiety or if you are going to undergo a more invasive treatment, like dental implant surgery. By administering antianxiety drugs through your blood stream, our team can induce a deep “twilight sleep.” You will technically be awake, but you will not really be aware of what is going on, and you will have little to no memory of the procedure when the drugs wear off.
The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Whatever the cause of your anxiety and your specific symptoms, sedation can end your worries forever. Once you realize how relaxing and comfortable an appointment can be, it will be much easier to book your visits in the future. As a result, you are less likely to suffer from decay, gum disease, and tooth loss, especially if your past phobia kept you from scheduling your routine exams and cleanings. Furthermore, you will experience little to no discomfort during more extensive procedures. Finally, sedation is very safe, even when you receive deeper IV sedation. Our team can monitor your vital signs throughout your treatment, adjusting the levels of medication accordingly.
Contact Us for the Easiest Dental Appointment You’ve Ever Had
We want to end your anxiety forever and make sure that you enjoy a lifelong healthy smile. If you are ready to change the way you view going to the dentist, contact your Auburn, CA, sedation dentist today. You can also book an appointment by calling (530) 823-8771.