Almost everyone has some level of anxiety about going to the dentist and some patients have more anxiety than others. Fortunately, at Maidu Dental, Dr. Luminita Markham is trained and certified in providing nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation. No matter what your specific needs, our team can help you enjoy a calm, relaxed, and comfortable dental experience.
Dental Anxiety Can be a Damaging Cycle
Anxiety is a factor that unfortunately keeps many patients away from the dentist and as such, dental problems that would have been small and easily fixable, are now larger problems. Treatment that would normally require a single visit, now requires multiple visits and thus, a patient’s dental anxiety only increases upon hearing this information.
We understand that people are in this difficult situation and Dr. Markham can help. And while all dental care cannot be performed in one appointment, sedation dentistry gives us the advantage of being able to schedule longer appointments where we can accomplish more treatment per visit than we otherwise would be for a patient with dental anxiety.
Types of Sedation
At Maidu Dental, our doctors offer two different types of sedation. These options include:
- Nitrous Oxide: Commonly called laughing gas, nitrous oxide promotes relaxation and euphoria. To administer the gas, a small face mask will be placed, and you will be asked to breathe in normally through your nose. Safe and effective, this method can be used for children and adults, alike. Although you will still be aware of your surroundings, you will most likely feel extremely relaxed. Many patients report a feeling of heaviness and comfort. After the procedure, you will be given pure oxygen, which will help flush the nitrous oxide from your system. One of the most significant advantages of laughing gas is that patients can safely drive themselves to and from their appointments.
- Oral Conscious Sedation: This type of sedation is administered through oral medication, such as a pill or a tablet. The dosage is dependent on the patient’s height, weight, and medical history. Typically, you will take a tablet approximately one hour before your dental appointment. Upon arrival, the doctor may decide to administer additional medication based on your comfort level. During oral conscious sedation, you will be able to respond to the doctor or staff if necessary. However, most people become so relaxed they simply sleep throughout their procedure. Oral conscious sedation also has amnesiac effect. Therefore, most patients do not remember the majority of the appointment. Patients who undergo this type of sedation will need to bring a friend or family member along to drive them to and from our office.
An Added Benefit of Being Our Patient
The good news for patients with anxiety is that, not only are we able to provide sedation, but Dr. Markham has the training and experience necessary to treat patients with complex dental needs who stayed away from the dentist because they were afraid. And because Dr. Luminita Markham also works with her husband, board-certified orthodontist, Dr. David Markham, patients in our practice who have complex treatment needs have many experts who can work together to provide the appropriate dental care.
Learn More about Options in Sedation Dentistry
If you suffer from dental anxiety – or even if you just want to make your experience more comfortable – ask a team member about sedation dentistry. Please contact our Auburn, CA office to schedule an appointment at (530) 823-8771.