At 1st In Smiles in Plano, TX, we know that far too many people don’t get the dental care they need for one reason – dental anxiety. If you’re one of the many, many people whose stomachs do flip-flops at the idea of a dental appointment, take heart! Dental sedation options from Dr. Rick Barfield will help you have your most relaxed dental appointment ever.
3 Levels Of Dental Sedation For Your Comfort
Dental anxiety isn’t the same for everyone. The majority of people have some sense of unease when facing a dental appointment. Others go beyond that, experiencing dread or even outright panic.
At 1st In Smiles in Plano, TX, we understand dental anxiety, and we don’t judge. It might surprise you to learn that even some people in the dental profession get sweaty palms when faced with time IN the dental chair rather than beside it!
Our total focus is on ensuring your comfort during and after your dental appointment. That’s why we offer three levels of dental sedation to meet anyone’s need.
Inhaled Sedation
Inhaled sedation has been used in dentistry for more than century to help people relax. Inhaled sedation has an excellent safety record, and it’s even approved for use in children.
Inhaled sedation takes effect very quickly and leaves you relaxed and unconcerned about what’s going on around you. It’s a great way to have a stress-free appointment if you have mild dental anxiety.
The effects of inhaled sedation wear off in a matter of minutes. Most people can safely drive themselves to and from their dental appointment.
Oral Sedation
As you’d suspect, oral sedation is administered by mouth. Dr. Barfield will prescribe a pill that you take before your appointment. Please note that you’ll need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. It’s a truly bad idea to try to drive while sedated!
Oral sedation causes a much deeper and longer-lasting level of relaxation. In fact, while you’ll probably remain awake during your appointment, you likely won’t remember much about it, if anything. We’ll monitor you throughout your appointment, so no worries. This is a great option for people with moderate anxiety or for whom inhaled sedation simply isn’t enough.
Again, the effects of oral sedation linger well after your appointment, so be sure to have a driver.
IV Conscious Sedation
The form of sedation induces a very deep level of relaxation and allows us to precisely monitor your responses to adjust the level as needed. You’ll be awake and able to respond to questions and requests, but you almost certainly won’t remember anything that happened while you were in the chair.
For safety’s sake, be sure to have a driver for your appointment. IV conscious sedation takes time for the effects to wear off.
You Can Get The Dental Care You Need. We’ll Help.
Experience a truly relaxed dental appointment while you’re surrounded by warm, caring, and professional staff. Call 1st In Smiles in Plano, TX today at 972-905-9266 or contact us online to request an appointment or to ask any questions you might have.
