Take the Stress Out of Dentistry with Sedation Dentistry
Millions of Americans resist dental care because of dental anxiety. But guess what? Sedation dentistry in Newport Beach, California, can take the edge off your treatment. Newport Smiles offers numerous sedation dentistry options to help you overcome dental fear and reclaim oral health. Experience relaxed dentistry by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Aarti Puri.
Am I a candidate for sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses anti-anxiety medication to calm your nerves. You won’t feel pain, and you may not remember the moment-to-moment details of your treatment.
So, am I suitable for sedation dentistry? Yes, if you have:
- Dental fear or anxiety
- A strong gag reflex
- Low pain threshold
- Difficulty getting numb from dental anesthesia
- Require treatment on multiple teeth
- Require complex dental treatment
If you have dental fear, it can feel like you are alone. However, dental anxiety is more common than you think. About 36% of the population has dental anxiety, and an additional 12% have severe dental fear.
What are the available sedation dentistry options?
If you have dental fear, you may avoid dental appointments altogether. We have seen patients who haven’t seen a dentist for decades! Whether you have mild or severe dental anxiety, help is at hand.
Enjoy relaxed dental care with the following sedation dentistry options.
- Nitrous oxide: It’s also known as happy or laughing gas and is the mildest and safest form of sedation. Nitrous oxide is administered through a mask placed on the nose. Its effects kick in within minutes after inhaling the gas. Nitrous oxide increases the pain threshold, eases the administration of local anesthetics, and suppresses a strong gag reflex. Nitrous oxide makes you calm but awake to respond to cues from the dental team. Best of all, you can drive yourself home after treatment.
- Oral sedation: The dentist prescribes oral medication to be taken about an hour before your treatment. When you arrive at our office, you’ll be deeply relaxed to undergo treatment. While you’ll remain awake and able to respond to instructions, you might feel drowsy, light-headed, or slightly detached from your surroundings. Many patients describe the sensation as dream-like, where time seems to pass quickly. It’s common to have little to no memory of the procedure afterward, which can be reassuring for those with dental anxiety. Unlike nitrous oxide, you need someone to accompany you to and from our office.
- IV sedation: The strongest sedation treatment is administered directly into the bloodstream through an IV line created on the hand. It’s ideal for patients with severe dental fear or undergoing complex therapies. We can feel its effects within minutes and gradually adjust the dosage to achieve the desired comfort level. IV sedation creates a deep relaxation but doesn’t render you unconscious. Even better, you’ll breathe independently, but we’ll continuously monitor your vital signs, including breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate. Like pill-based sedation, you need someone to drive you home.
Ready for sedation dentistry near Newport Beach?
If you feel anxious or even fearful about dental visits, sedation dentistry may be an excellent solution to reclaim your healthy smile. Are you scared of the dentist? It’s time to explore your sedation dentistry options at Newport Smiles. Call (949) 353-5622 to reserve an appointment with Dr. Puri.
