Does the thought of sitting in the dentist’s chair make your heart race? You’re not alone. is a common concern that prevents many people from getting the care they need. Fortunately, dental sedation from our Cooper City dentists offers a safe and effective way to help you feel calm and comfortable throughout your visit.
Here’s how sedation dentistry can transform your future procedures with us.
What Is Dental Sedation?
Dental sedation for anxiety involves administering medications that range from mild relaxation to deeper levels of calm, depending on the patient’s needs. There are different options available at Cooper City Family Dentistry, each catering to varying levels of nervousness. Our team members will ask you a few questions and make sure you’re comfortable with the choice before selecting the appropriate form of sedation.
Inside our office, you may receive:
- Laughing Gas:This is the lightest form of sedation and is administered through a small mask placed over the nose. Laughing gas helps patients feel relaxed and at ease within minutes. It wears off quickly, allowing patients to return to their normal activities almost immediately after the procedure. This option is ideal for those with mild to moderate anxiety.
- Oral Conscious Sedation:This method involves taking a prescribed pill before your appointment, which induces a deeper state of relaxation. While you will remain awake and responsive, you’ll feel significantly calmer and may have little memory of the procedure afterward. Oral conscious sedation or pill sedation is a good choice for patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety or those undergoing longer treatments like dental implant placement.
Who Benefits from Dental Sedation
Dental sedation isn’t just for those with extreme dental phobia. It can be beneficial for various situations, including:
- Individuals with a Strong Gag Reflex: Some people experience a gag reflex so strong that it makes dental work, even as simple as a teeth cleaning, almost impossible. Sedation for dental procedures helps relax the muscles, making it easier for our dentists to perform the necessary procedures.
- Patients with Low Pain Tolerance or Sensitive Teeth: If dental procedures have been uncomfortable in the past due to sensitivity or pain, sedation can help ensure a pain-free experience.
- Those with Complex or Lengthy Procedures: Multiple or lengthy treatments can feel overwhelming. Sedation dentistry allows these procedures to be completed with minimal discomfort, even if they take several hours.
- Patients with Difficulty Sitting Still: For some, staying still for an extended period is a challenge. Using this option helps keep the body relaxed, allowing our sedation dentists to work efficiently.
- People with Previous Traumatic Dental Experiences: If you’ve had a negative experience in the past, sedation can help prevent those memories from causing anxiety during future visits.
Dental Sedation Advantages
- Reduced Anxiety and Fear: The most significant advantage is the calming effect sedation provides. Even those with severe dental phobia find that sedation allows them to face treatments with confidence.
- Pain-Free Procedures: Dental sedation doesn’t just reduce anxiety; it also minimizes any pain or discomfort you might experience. This makes it an excellent choice for patients with low pain tolerance.
- Faster Treatments: Because sedation relaxes the patient, we can work more efficiently, often completing multiple procedures in a single visit to our Cooper City, FL, dental office. This reduces the number of appointments required, saving time and effort.
- Amnesia-Like Effect: Many patients have little to no memory of their procedure afterward, which helps reduce anxiety about future visits. This can be particularly beneficial for those with deep-seated fears about dental work.
Overall Safety & What You Can Expect
Dental sedation is a safe option when administered by trained professionals like ours. Before recommending sedation, we will conduct a thorough review of your medical history, discuss your anxiety levels, and determine the most appropriate type of sedation for your situation. Monitoring is constant throughout the procedure, ensuring that you are kept safe and comfortable.
For those opting for oral conscious sedation specifically, you’ll want to:
- Arrange for Transportation: You’ll need someone to drive you to and from your appointment, as the effects of this sedation can linger for several hours.
- Follow Pre-Procedure Instructions: Our dentists will provide guidelines on eating, drinking, and taking medications before your appointment. Adhering to these instructions is crucial for your safety and comfort.
Discuss Sedation For Your Next Visit
Going to have your teeth cleaned or a cavity filled is a breeze with the help of dental sedation. No matter what procedure you have planned, our sedation dentists in Cooper City, FL, are here to empower you from start to finish. Call Cooper City Family Dentistry today at (954) 252-8257 to and talk about your options.
