Sedation Dentistry in Edmond, OK

At Edmond Dental Center, we can appreciate how daunting or scary going to the dentist might be. Many people fear dental cleanings and exams in Edmond, OK due to fear of pain, general anxiety, bad past experiences with another dentist, and many other reasons. We work hard to make every dental visit as relaxing and comfortable as possible, so you don’t have to neglect your oral health due to dental anxiety. When Edmond patients feel at ease receiving dental care, they are more likely to keep regular dental check-ups and cleanings.

The first thing we do before offering sedation dentistry is ensuring that all patient questions and concerns are thoroughly addressed and that the patient understands what their dental procedure options are. For many patients, dental anxiety can spring from the unknown nature of dental work. Once they understand all the steps of a procedure, and the importance of dental care, a lot of concern and anxiety melts away. While patient education can assuage many fears, other patients may need additional relaxation.

At our dentist office in Edmond, OK, we offer three different options for sedation dentistry to help our patients relieve dental anxiety. Patients never have to worry about a painful dental procedure because we ensure that the treated area is numb before the process begins. Patients can also feel comforted, knowing that we will do everything in our power to keep them relaxed and happy during their visit with us. If you have any anxiety or stress while scheduling your dental appointment, please let us know. Dr. Michael Chandler works closely with all patients to eliminate nervousness and worry.

Don’t let dental anxiety compromise your dental health, which can bring about tooth infection, decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss.

• What Is Dental Anxiety?
• How Dental Anxiety Affects Your Life
• What to Know About Nitrous Oxide Sedation
• Oral Sedation Dentistry to Relieve Anxiety
• IV Dental Sedation
• Learn More about Sedation Dentistry

What Is Dental Anxiety?

If you feel bad about dental anxiety or fear—we’re here to tell you there’s no reason to be! It’s entirely natural to worry about pain or discomfort, especially if you have sensitive teeth. For patients who suffer dental anxiety, the feelings can become debilitating, and many people decide to avoid the dentist altogether. Patients who don’t get regular dental exams and teeth cleanings in Edmond can put themselves at risk for the following:

• Periodontal disease
• Tooth loss
• Tooth decay
• Root infection
• Nonstop tooth pain
• Oral cancer
• Jaw pain
• Cavities
• Weakened teeth or gums

Do you know if you have dental anxiety? If you experience any of the following symptoms when visiting your dentist, we can help:

• Unable to sleep the night before a dental visit
• Sweating
• Low blood pressure
• Fainting
• Crying
• Withdrawing

How Dental Anxiety Impacts Your Life

Avoiding your Edmond dentist often leads to oral health issues and can result in dental emergencies that can be costly and painful. This drastic result feeds the underlying current of dental anxiety, creating a vicious cycle that compromises your oral health.

There are many reasons people feel dental anxiety; common ones include:

• Fear of drills or needles
• Concern over pain or discomfort
• Bad experience with a dentist in the past
• Uncontrollable gag reflex
• Generalized anxiety
• To control a gag reflex
• Complex dental procedure
• Anxiety of the unknown

The only way to prevent dental issues and reduce the risk of painful dental emergencies is to maintain regular checkups, exams, and dental cleanings in Edmond, OK to detect abnormalities before they require complex dental procedures. Avoiding your dentist can put you in jeopardy of needing costly and complex dental procedures, as well as learning more about your oral health and how to care for it.

When dental infections and diseases are not treated, they can affect your general health in the form of diabetes, obesity, stroke, heart disease, and even cancer. We want all our patients to have healthy and happy smiles, which mostly involves seeking a dental evaluation from your Edmond dentist. Even meticulous and rigorous brushing and flossing at home doesn't completely remove the plaque and tartar buildup that only your dentist can remove. 

Nitrous Oxide Sedation at Edmond Dental Center

We practice sedation dentistry to relax our patients during each dental procedure. When patients are anxious, they have a hard time keeping their mouths open without tensing up. Dr. Chandler cannot work when the patient is unable to relax; the more a patient tenses, the more stress they may feel. Nitrous oxide is a minimal sedation method that allows patients to remain awake throughout the process while feeling comfortable and not tense.

Nitrous is a gas that allows our Edmond dental patients to relax, and the gas wears off within 15 minutes. Most people know it as “laughing gas,” and it typically creates a dreamy and calming effect. Dr. Chandler carefully monitors how much gas you intake through a small oxygen mask. You might notice that your appointment flies by; you won’t be tense or worried, which will allow Dr. Chandler to work quickly and efficiently. Patients can drive home after the procedure and go back to their regular day.

If you are nervous about your dental procedure, let the team at Edmond Dental Center know so we can help you.

Oral Sedation Dentistry to Relieve Anxiety

An effective sedation dentistry option is oral sedation. Patients remain aware of the procedure, but they will feel like things are fading away. Dr. Chandler gives patients an oral sedative to take an hour before arriving at the dental office. Oral sedatives make our patients feel calm and peaceful; they will not render patients unconscious. You may feel like sleeping throughout the procedure, but you can wake up at any time.

Patients will be able to respond to their dentist and dental team, but we will require a driver to take the patient home after the appointment. You can feel comfortable knowing that we value your contentment and well-being at Edmond Dental Center.

IV Dental Sedation

IV sedation is also known as conscious sedation and is administered intravenously through a vein. Patients are less aware of what is happening throughout the dental procedure; many don’t remember what happens. Dr. Chandler can adjust the level of sedation, which is typically reserved for patients with extreme anxiety about a dental procedure.

Edmond patients who receive IV sedation do not need medical assistance to support life functions, but we still monitor their vital signs. Patients can still respond to commands, although their speech may sound impaired. The amnesic quality of IV sedation means that patients won't remember much of anything about the dental procedure. 

By offering our patients the opportunity to feel safe and relaxed, even patients who suffer from anxiety can receive the critical dental care they need. 

After the procedure is over, patients will be awake but groggy, so they will need to have a driver to return home.

Learn More about Sedation Dentistry in Edmond

Getting oral care you need is essential in preventing painful dental emergencies or severe dental problems. If you have avoided the dentist because of fear, we can provide options to help you relax and take your mind off your anxiety. If you have questions about sedation dentistry, please give our Edmond dental office a call today at (405) 330-4630!

We are happy to schedule a dental check-up and maintain your oral health.