29
Jun
Frequently Asked Questions about Painless Dentistry
At Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio, we understand that many patients are fearful of dental treatment in general and root canal treatment in particular. For those patients, sedation makes a lot of sense. Used in combination with effective local anesthesia (numbing), sedation allows patients to have a stress free, anxiety free dental experience. At Endodontic Consultants, Drs. Rick Davis, Rick Schwartz and Zac Liang provide sedation dentistry to many of their patients.
Allow us show you dental treatment doesn’t have to be intimidating or stressful. Your comfort is our first priority, and we maintain the highest treatment standards.
What is sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry utilizes medications that reduce anxiety and induce relaxation. Depending on the level of sedation, it may also induce sleep. Sedation dentistry is sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry.”.
What are the different types of sedation dentistry?
We offer the most advanced sedation dentistry options to make your appointment positive, relaxing, and comfortable. Some of our patients have only mild anxiety but opt for sedation to make the appointment easier. At the other end of the spectrum are those who have not been to a dentist for years and have severe dental phobia. Both types of patients may benefit from sedation dentistry options. The options include:
- Nitrous oxide: Often referred to as laughing gas, nitrous oxide makes you feel carefree and giddy and helps overcome mild dental anxiety. We administer this sedation through a small mask fitted over your nose.
- Oral sedation: For this option you take a pill-based sedative that reduces your anxiety and alertness and creates a dream-like state. Many patients become so relaxed that they fall asleep! Oral sedation is simple yet highly effective for mild to moderate dental fear.
- IV sedation: For patients with severe dental phobia, and for patients who are undergoing lengthy, extensive procedures, we sometimes recommend IV sedation. This form of sedation is generally used to “put patients to sleep.”
Call Our Office for More Information
New Patients: (210) 405-0473 | Existing Patients: (210) 497-6699
Who needs sedation dentistry?
Dental sedation is excellent for a variety of patients, including those with:
- Anxiety about going to the dentist
- Low tolerance to pain
- Difficulty sitting still for long periods
- Strong gag reflex
- Physical disability
Goodbye, dental anxiety
You deserve world-class care and a comfortable, relaxed experience. For even the most anxious patient, we can deliver both with safe and effective sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry makes your appointments feel dream-like. Patients who receive IV sedation generally have no memory of the appointment afterwards. This is also often true with oral sedation. Whether you have mild or severe dental anxiety, don’t delay dental care any longer. Please call (210) 405-0473 to schedule an appointment with our experienced dental team at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio.
Dr. Richard Davis, DDS
Richard D. Davis, DDS, graduated from high school in Japan, attended the University of Washington dental school, and joined the Air Force as a general dentist in 1978. He completed the Air Force one-year AEGD residency, a two-year Advanced General Dentistry Residency, and a fellowship in biomaterials at the University of Indiana. Dr. Davis was a clinical instructor, research director, and lecturer at the Air Force. He has published many scientific articles and research papers, and has lectured on many topics. Following retirement from the Air Force in 1999, he completed the graduate program in endodontics at the University of Oregon in 2001, and joined Dr. Schwartz and has been in private practice in endodontics since then.
Dr. Richard Schwartz, DDS
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Richard S. Schwartz, DDS, graduated from the University of Minnesota dental school in 1977. He was a restorative dentist for 19 years: Early in his career, he attended a two-year general dentistry residency while in the US Air Force, and then did a combination of private practice, teaching, and dental materials research before entering endodontic post-graduate training in 1996. He has authored over 100 articles and abstracts in scientific journals and lectured extensively in the US and in 21 other countries, including 12 times at the American Association of Endodontists’ national meeting. Since 1998 Dr. Schwartz has been in full-time private practice in endodontics in San Antonio, TX, and has practiced with Dr. Davis since 2001. He was a founding member and first secretary/treasurer of the International Association of Endodontics. He is also a member of the American Dental Association and International Association of Dental Specialists.
