Dental sedation helps patients with anxiety receive essential dental care

Fear of the dentist isn’t limited to any particular age group, demographic, or gender. Sitting in the dentist’s chair, or even visiting the office can be a scary experience for some people.  Often the fear is caused by a previous bad or painful experience as a child.  Some patients are simply uncomfortable having someone so close to their personal space.

Fear of the dentist can cause patients to put off necessary dental treatment, even when they are experiencing pain or other symptoms. Drs. Rick Davis and Rick Schwartz of Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio see many fearful patients.  They offer several options to relieve anxiety. They offer the following types of conscious sedation.

• Nitrous oxide:  This is a good choice for patients who only need to “take the edge off.”  Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is the mildest form of sedation that allows patients to be awake but completely comfortable. Because it’s administered in the office and inhaled through a mask, the effects begin and stop almost immediately. Therefore, patients can drive themselves to and from the appointment.
• Oral sedation: Oral sedation is a level up from nitrous oxide, and is administered as a pill. Patients take one pill about an hour prior to the appointment.  Sometimes we give them a second pill before starting treatment, depending on the effect of the first one.  They tend to doze throughout the appointment. They must have a companion to drive them to and from our office, and then take a nap when they get home.
• IV sedation:  IV sedation is the deepest level of sedation we offer at Endodontic Consultants.  It is for patients who want to be asleep through the whole procedure.   With IV sedation, the sedative drugs are administered directly into the bloodstream through an IV. These patients will need a companion to drive them home.

With oral and especially IV sedation, patients usually remember little if anything from the appointment after the drugs wear off.

Drs. Davis and Schwartz know that dental procedures can be frightening and will help make sure you feel comfortable during your treatment. For more information about conscious sedation services offered by Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio, call our office today at (210) 405-0473.