We will always administer topical and local anesthesia for patients experiencing sensitivity or any restorative or surgical procedure. Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” is also available for children and adults to help you relax or reduce dental fear and anxiety. Sedation dentistry is a part of preventative and general dental care in our Dallas, TX, office to help ensure comfortable patient care.
How to Visit the Dentist with Dental Anxiety
If the thought of going to the dentist fills you with fear, you’re not alone. Many patients have dental fear for a variety of reasons, from a negative past experience or general anxiety. Some may also think dental fear is only a problem for children, but this isn’t true. Patients of all ages can have a fear of pain, loud noises, or a lack of control.
The good news is that we offer accommodations. If you or a loved one have dental anxiety, we recommend these tips:
- Get an Office Tour: Call our office before your next appointment so we can schedule an office tour. During this tour, you can familiarize yourself with our staff, waiting room, and exam rooms. Seeing our office and staff before your first visit can help you feel confident at your next visit.
- Bring Headphones and Comforting Objects: Noise-cancelling headphones are beneficial during dental visits if you are sensitive to loud noises. You can also bring a stress ball or music to listen to during treatment. These objects help distract you from cleanings or other treatments.
- Ask Questions: A fear of the unknown is a common cause of dental anxiety. We welcome you to ask our staff questions about cleanings, treatments, or any other part of your care. Once you have answers, you’re likely to feel more comfortable in the dental chair.
Benefits of Sedation
Dental sedation offers many benefits to our patients:
- Painless care
- Reduced gag reflex
- Reduced chance of remembering treatment
We also recommend sedation for a variety of patients, including patients with:
- Long dental treatments
- A poor gag reflex
- Dental fear or anxiety
- Special needs
- TMJ disorders
- Difficulty sitting still
We are here to help relieve your anxiety and treat your dental phobia. Our office will ensure that the type of sedation we use is safe for you.
Before treatment, we will take note of your medical conditions, medications, and dental concerns. If you take sleep medications or other medications that can slow your breathing, we may not recommend sedation. In addition, we may not recommend deeper levels of sedation if you have sleep apnea.
Sedation Dentistry in Dallas, TX
If you avoid the dentist because of anxiety or previous negative experiences, we’re here to help. We provide comfortable dental care for patients using local anesthetic and nitrous oxide. Our office provides anesthetic to numb areas of the mouth so patients will not feel pain. Nitrous oxide ensures that patients are calm and anxiety-free.
We use nitrous oxide for patients who require longer dental treatments. Sedation comes in multiple levels, including minimal, moderate, or deep sedation. Nitrous oxide is the lightest form of sedation.
We administer nitrous oxide and oxygen through a mask we place over the nose and mouth. Under nitrous oxide, you may feel happy or giggly, and you will also feel relaxed.
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is a safe option for patients of all ages. We will control the amount of sedation each patient receives based on age and size. Sedation also takes effect and wears off quickly. As soon as we remove the mask, the effects will wear off.
Get Comfortable Dental Treatment
Do you need to make a dental appointment? Call Lochwood Family Dental today at 214-544-9633. You may also schedule a dental visit online.
Please let us know if you have questions about sedation at your next visit. We’re here to help.