Let Sedation Dentistry Help You Conquer Your Fear of Going to the Dentist

Millions of people worldwide avoid the dentist at all costs due to fear and anxiety. Unfortunately, their oral health suffers significantly as a result. At Engineered Smiles, we understand that fear and anxiety can be incapacitating, which is why we offer sedation dentistry. Dental sedation has helped many patients overcome their fears and relax during dental visits.

Routine dental checkups are significant for your oral health, and refusing to go will only give plaque the chance to build up on your teeth. While it’s true that good home oral hygiene can help keep your teeth healthy, dentists have special devices and are highly trained to detect oral issues that may not be apparent to you. Helping you gain and maintain a beautiful, healthy smile in a relaxed and calming atmosphere is our main focus at Engineered Smiles.

Causes of Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety is caused by many factors, including:

• A past traumatic or painful treatment experience
• The noises at the dental office (like drills and x-ray machines)
• The sharp tools dentists use
• Feelings of helplessness
• Embarrassment about the state of one’s teeth
• Odors associated with dental problems
• Extremely sensitive gag reflex

Oral Conscious Sedation

This type of sedation is administered with a pill that you take about twenty minutes before your dental procedure begins. The medication produces a twilight feeling. While you can expect to feel a bit drowsy, the medication will not put you to sleep and you will still be able to respond to questions and instructions. This is a more potent form of sedation than nitrous oxide and will ensure that you stay relaxed throughout your entire dental appointment.

Oral sedation requires some recovery time before leaving the office. However, you will need to come prepared with someone to drive you home after your procedure. You shouldn’t drive or operate any machinery after receiving this medication until you are entirely recovered.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, also called “laughing gas,” helps you relax without losing consciousness. It is a lighter level of sedation than oral conscious sedation. This type of sedation is administered through a mask and inhaled via the nose. It produces an immediate drowsy and euphoric effect that wears off quickly after your procedure, as oxygen is used for flushing the nitrous oxide from your system. Recovery is immediate, which means you can drive yourself home and do not have to worry about finding someone to take you to and from your appointment.

Nitrous oxide is safe and an excellent option for children who feel anxious in the dental chair. Our team will be sure to check that you don’t have any underlying health conditions that would make using nitrous oxide unwise.

Sedation Dentistry in Georgia

If you fear and delay going to the dentist, sedation dentistry is right for you. You don’t need to suffer through toothaches or allow your teeth to go bad. At Engineered Smiles, we are dedicated to providing you with the most comfortable and relaxing dental experience possible. Contact us or visit our office in Marietta, GA, to schedule a consultation today.