Overcome Dental Anxiety At 1st In Smiles

Some people really dread coming to the dentist. They suffered a bad experience in the past while in the dental chair, or they just don’t like the sights and sounds of the dentist’s office. At 1st In Smiles, we’re sympathetic to that. And that’s why we’ve worked so hard to create a practice that will help you overcome dental anxiety.

Our Plano, TX office is staffed with compassionate individuals who want to make your visit to the dentist as pleasant as possible. Your privacy will be respected, and we can accommodate requests for extended appointments so you’ll never feel rushed. You can even opt for dental sedation for a pain-free and stress-free experience.

Read on for some of the ways we work to maximize patient comfort at 1st In Smiles. Then, give us a call at 972-380-8105 to schedule an appointment!

Caring Staff, Decades of Experience

Whether you’re coming in for a routine checkup or a more involved dental implant procedure, you’ll receive high-quality care. Dr. Barfield has had a passion for dentistry since he was a young boy. Opening his own practice in Plano, TX was a dream come true. Now, he’s been serving this community for more than 30 years.

Dr. Barfield is a lifelong student of dentistry, having completed continuing education courses in a wide variety of areas. He has also built up a staff that’s similarly dedicated to providing excellent, patient-centered care.

We consider 1st In Smiles to be a “lecture-free zone,” where you can relax, even if your teeth aren’t in great shape. We pledge to focus more on your dental health moving forward, not your past habits.

High-Tech Dentistry in a Comfortable Environment

Keeping up with the latest in dental technology is one of the ways Dr. Barfield strives to provide high-quality dental care. We use digital X-rays instead of the traditional film X-rays because they allow us to zoom in and assess your situation in greater detail. As an added bonus, there’s less radiation involved.

We also use technology as a key component of patient education. Our IntraOral cameras allow us to show you highly detailed images of your mouth so you can better understand what’s happening. And of course, technology also allows treatment to simply be more comfortable. Our Cavitron Prophy-Jet removes bacterial buildup from your teeth without a drill!

Even though we pride ourselves on our use of technology, we’ve also been careful to maintain a warm and inviting environment for patients. Our caring staff can grab you a blanket or headrest to make you more comfortable while we work. And if you’d like to distract yourself, we have flat-screen TVs with DirectTV in every room!

Dental Sedation

For those with intense dental anxiety or those undergoing extensive dental work, it might take more than just a comfortable environment to alleviate stress. To further minimize anxiety and discomfort, we offer three types of dental sedation.

Nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” is a fast-acting form of dental sedation that’s breathed in through a small mask placed over your nose. It’s a safe way to relieve tension before your dental treatment, even for children. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly after the dental work is over, so you’ll most likely be able to drive yourself home from our office. We’re so committed to patient comfort that we offer free nitrous oxide during your treatment.
Oral sedation. This is a slightly deeper form of dental sedation compared to nitrous oxide. It’s taken in the form of a pill before your procedure, and by the time your dental work is set to begin, you’ll feel relaxed. The effects of oral sedation typically last longer than the dental work takes, so we ask that you arrange a ride to and from our office to ensure your safety.
IV conscious sedation. This is the deepest form of sedation we offer, and it’s administered intravenously. The medication used in IV sedation allows you to experience your procedure from a dream-like state, so it’s pain-free and stress-free. Like oral sedation, the effects can take some time to wear off, so you should arrange a ride to and from our office.

Overcome Dental Anxiety at 1st in Smiles

The first step toward improved dental health is overcoming your dental anxiety. At 1st In Smiles, we put in the extra work to make sure your experience is a pleasant one. And who knows? With our comfort amenities, friendly faces, and reassuring hands, it’s possible that you’ll eventually enjoy coming here.

Take the first step toward improved health today. Call 1st In Smiles at 972-380-8105 or use our easy online form to request an appointment.