According to dentist Dr. Amy Norman, sedation dentistry is a wonderful tool for both children and adults who have any anxiety about visiting the dentist. It’s easy, affordable and comfortable. There’s no reason to suffer through your dental appointments with fear and anxiety anymore.
Dr. Norman is proud to offer sedation dentistry because she understands just how much anxiety and fear can affect someone’s health and happiness. She works with patients every day to determine what level of sedation is best for them so they can get the care they need in the most comfortable way possible.
Different Levels of Sedation
The great part about sedation dentistry is that Dr. Norman can customize your level of sedation based on your needs. Here are some of the different types of sedation available:
Laughing Gas
Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, has been used to decades to help patients relax during dental procedures without heavy sedation or lasting effects. In fact, this is the only form of dental sedation that allows you to drive yourself home after your procedure.
Oral Sedation
If simple laughing gas isn’t enough to help you relax, oral sedation in the form of a pill usually in the Valium family can help. In most cases, the medication is taken an hour before the procedure. Depending on the situation, you may be given a second pill when you arrive for your appointment. Some of our patients have become so relaxed with oral sedation they’ve actually slept through their procedure!
Moderate IV Sedation
Sedation dentistry involving medication administered through an IV is helpful for more severe dental anxieties or phobias.
Deep Sedation
Deep sedation or general anesthesia is usually reserved only for the most extreme cases. This is usually best for patients who have actively avoided dental care for years due to extreme anxiety and fear. Several dental procedures are often needed to get the patient healthy again, and they can all be completed at once with deep sedation dentistry.
If you suffer from dental anxiety or phobia and want to learn more about sedation dentistry, call us today at (425) 320-3478.
