Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley CA
When you see a dentist appointment upcoming on your calendar, how does it make you feel? Nervous? Maybe even frightened? If so, you’re not alone. The majority of people feel some degree of nervousness, anxiety or even outright fear sometimes over just the prospect of going to the dentist. However, for millions of Americans, feelings of anxiety and fear are so strong that they completely avoid the dentist. At Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry, we understand that these feelings are real. However, your fearful thoughts don’t have to control your decisions or compromise your oral health. Why? Today on the blog, learn how we use sedation dentistry to help people with dental anxiety or a fear of the dentist receive the professional oral care they need.
What is sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry makes it possible for people to receive dental care despite any pre-existing conditions that could complicate it: dental anxiety, dental phobia or other conditions that may make it difficult to keep the mouth open or remain seated in the dental chair for extended periods of time.
What methods of sedation do we offer?
- Nitrous oxide has been used in dentistry for decades. You may have heard it referred to as laughing gas. The gas is mixed with oxygen and administered in a mask you place over the nose. Under the effects of the gas, you remain awake, aware of your surroundings and able to communicate with the members of our dental team. Once treatment is complete, we replace the flow of the gas with pure oxygen and the effects of nitrous oxide quickly subside.
- Oral sedation entails taking an oral sedative that has been prescribed to you at least 30 minutes before the appointment. While this is a more powerful method of sedation than laughing gas, you still remain awake and aware of your surroundings, although you will be so relaxed you will have little to no memory of your dental appointment. If you choose this method of sedation, you will need to secure transportation to and from their dental appointment.
- IV sedation is the deepest level of sedation available in a dental office. Medication is delivered through an IV line and administered directly into the bloodstream. It is recommended only for an especially complex or lengthy dental procedure, or for patients with severe fear of the dentist or other unique health needs. Our staff will review your current health and medical history before using IV sedation, then discuss the reasoning behind our recommendation with you, along with the advantages and benefits of IV sedation. We may call in an anesthesiologist to consult on the sedation and will provide detailed instructions for before and after the procedure.
- NuCalm represents an alternative to traditional methods of sedation. It is drug-free, comfortable and has no possible side effects. This entails consuming a chewable tablet that suppresses adrenaline, the delivery of a micro-current to calm the patient and wearing light-blocking glasses and headphones to block out sensory stimuli.
Sedation dentistry in Los Gatos, Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley in California
Sedation dentistry is not right for everyone. Pregnancy, glaucoma, depression of the central nervous system, and high blood pressure all could disqualify you from undergoing sedation. This is why we schedule a consultation before considering any method of sedation prior to a dental procedure. At this meeting, your dental records and medical history will be reviewed, making sure there are no pre-existing conditions that could cause complications. Schedule your consultation at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry today by calling (831) 438-4411 or contacting us online.
