Sedation Dentistry – Fanwood, NJ
Relaxing Appointments Every Time
If you feel nervous about going to the dentist, know that you’re far from alone! We see anxious patients every single day here at Scotch Plains Fanwood Dental Care, and most of the time, our warm and friendly team is enough to help them feel comfortable. For those who require a little extra care, however, that’s when sedation dentistry comes into play. The techniques outlined below are able to safely and reliably calm patients of all ages, so no matter what dental care someone needs, they’re guaranteed to enjoy a soothing and relaxing visit. Interested in using sedation at your or your child’s next appointment? If so, give us a call today to learn more about your options.
Why Choose Scotch Plains Fanwood Dental Care for Sedation Dentistry?
- Kind, Friendly, & Highly-Skilled Team
- Available for Every Kind of Procedure
- Patient Comfort is Our Top Priority
Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry
For patients who experience mild to moderate dental phobia, our dentists can prescribe them a medication to take at home the day of their appointment. By the time they reach our dental office, they should already be sedated and completely relaxed from head to toe. In the chair, a patient will likely remain awake and be able to respond to basic commands, but the appointment will seem to go by in a blur. Afterward, most patients have little to no memory of their visit, which many think is just perfect!
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
This gentle form of sedation has been around for over 100 years, and it’s so safe that we can even use it with very young children. It’s perfect for patients who just need a little help to “take the edge” off of their dental nerves. The gas is administered using a small nasal mask, which helps a patient become fully relaxed within a few minutes. The mask stays on for the entire appointment, and once it’s removed, a patient will be able to resume their day right away without any lasting effects.
IV Sedation Dentistry
IV sedation is the most potent kind we offer, in which the sedative is administered directly into the bloodstream so a patient can become deeply relaxed almost instantly. We typically recommend it for patients with extreme dental fear, those who require more extensive treatment, or those who want multiple procedures to be completed in one well-planned appointment to help save time. With IV sedation, we can actually adjust a patient’s sedation level in real time to ensure they are completely comfortable every single moment.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Learning all about the different types of sedation dentistry options is an important first step toward your anxiety-free visit with us. With that being said, it is completely natural to have a few questions on your mind. To help make finding the answers as seamless as possible, we’ve listed a few of the most frequently asked ones below. If you would prefer to speak directly with our team, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
Am I A Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
If you struggle with any of the below, then you may be a candidate for sedation dentistry:
- Mild to severe dental-related anxiety
- Fear of shots or needles
- Have a history of painful or traumatic dental experiences
- A strong gag reflex
- Need complex dental procedures
The best way to confirm you are a candidate is by scheduling an appointment with our sedation dentist. From there, they can conduct a comprehensive oral exam to see what your dental needs are, create a custom treatment plan, and review your medical history. That way, you can safely enjoy the calm, comfortable dental experience you deserve.
What Are the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is widely known for its ability to help even the most anxious patients remain comfortable and relaxed in the treatment chair. However, this calming addition comes with a number of benefits, including:
- It allows more dentistry to be completed in a single visit since the patient is more compliant.
- Some sedation options can be monitored throughout the treatment, ensuring relaxation from start to finish.
- Its effectiveness helps ease future dental-related fear.
- It helps make treatment pain-free, especially for patients who have difficulty getting numb.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
In short, the answer is yes. Each sedation dentistry option has been rigorously tested. In fact, nitrous oxide has been used for over 100 years now! So, it’s safe to say that these measures are tried-and-true. To ensure your safety, your medical history will be reviewed in-depth. If you have a condition that could potentially cause complications, like difficulty breathing due to emphysema, then we will discuss alternatives so you can safely enjoy anxiety-free dentistry.
Will I Remember Anything About My Dental Treatment Afterward?
The answer to this question depends on the sedation dentistry option you are interested in. For example, if you use IV sedation, then there is a good chance you won’t remember your dental care. On the other hand, if you use a more gentle form of sedation, like nitrous oxide, then it’s likely your memory won’t be affected. Oral sedatives fall somewhere in between. If you are worried about remembering your procedure, don’t hesitate to bring that up during your appointment.
Are you ready to experience anxiety-free, comfortable dentistry? Have you been putting off dental care for months or years due to a previous bad experience? Whatever the case may be, our team is here to ensure you can get the quality preventive and restorative care without the stress. Contact our office today to learn more about sedation dentistry or to schedule your appointment!