Anxiety Free IV Sedation Dentistry - Riverview, FL
Sedation Delivers the Calming Touch Your Smile Deserves
Ask for IV Sedation to Ease Dental Anxiety
If the thought of visiting a dentist makes you anxious, we understand and do everything we can to take the fear out of dentistry at Smile 360 Implant and Family Dentistry. We don’t want to see dental anxiety prevent anyone from getting the oral care their smile needs and deserves. Advances in dental anesthetics have made it possible to receive comfortable, nearly painless dentistry while lessening or completely eliminating dental anxiety. In addition to using local anesthetics to ease treatment, we offer several safe sedation dentistry options in Riverview, FL. Our compassionate dentist Dr. Matthew Byars will discuss dental anesthesia prior to your procedure, then recommend the best option to address your level of dental fear and the specific treatment you’re receiving. We have a certified registered nurse anesthetist on-site that administers safe and gentle IV sedation in Riverview, FL. In addition, we offer oral sedation and nitrous oxide (a.k.a. laughing gas).
Our IV Sedation Process
IV sedation dentistry in Riverview, FL allows you to undergo dental treatments in a state of semi-consciousness, taking the fear out of dentistry and making even complex dental treatments comfortable. This type of dental anesthesia is often an ideal choice if you’re undergoing more complex procedures, such as full mouth dental implants or wisdom teeth removal. Our anesthetist administers the sedative through an IV in your hand or arm to reduce anxiety and induce a state of relaxation. IV sedation starts working quickly and you’ll feel minimal to no pain during treatment. Your vitals are carefully monitored and sedation levels can easily be adjusted to ensure your safety and comfort. Because IV sedation induces short-term amnesia, many patients who receive it forget parts of or the entirety of their treatment. Due to some lasting side effects, someone will need to drive you home afterwards.
Benefits of IV Sedation Dentistry
- Deeper level of sedation than nitrous oxide and oral sedation
- Alleviates moderate to severe anxiety
- Takes effect within a few seconds
- Offers faster recovery than oral sedation
- Provides ability to precisely control level of sedation
- Induces a state of amnesia, so you won’t remember procedure
Additional Sedation Dentistry Options
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is beneficial for mild to moderate levels of fear and anxiety, but may be less effective for more severe anxiety. Dr. Byars prescribes the lowest effective dose of a sedative agent to best suit your needs. Benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Halcion and Xanax) are the most common oral sedatives used for this purpose. These drugs decrease activity in parts of your brain that control fear and anxiety. Most of our patients take one pill an hour before their procedure, although you can take one pill the night before to prevent losing sleep in anticipation of your procedure. With oral sedation, you’ll remain conscious, but feel drowsy, significantly relaxed and likely not remember anything about your procedure. Due to lingering effects, somebody will need to drive you home.
Nitrous Oxide
A mainstay of dentistry for decades, nitrous oxide is this mildest type of dental anesthesia and effective and safe, even for children. The colorless gas produces an analgesic and relaxing effect on the central nervous system, thereby inducing a sense of well-being or euphoria. Nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose. After the nitrous oxide is turned off, you’ll breathe in oxygen only for a few minutes. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly and many patients have little memory about the procedure. This type of sedation doesn’t produce any lingering side effects, so you can drive yourself home.
Neglecting Your Smile Has Consequences
Even healthy teeth and gums can suffer the consequences of inadequate oral care. Whether you’re avoiding going to the dentist due to dental anxiety or another reason, your smile and general health will suffer. Without proper oral care, bad bacteria in your mouth can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and eventual tooth loss. Advanced gum disease is associated with worsening symptoms in people with diabetes, respiratory disease and heart disease. The earlier gum disease is identified and treated, the better the chances of keeping your natural teeth and maintaining your oral and systemic health. Don’t delay dental treatment due to a fear of dentists, a bad past experience, low pain threshold, highly sensitive teeth or the need for complex procedures!
Get a Stress-Free Dental Experience with Sedation Dentistry
If you’re looking for sedation anesthesia near you, you’ll enjoy a more soothing dental experience than you ever thought was possible at Smile 360 Implant and Family Dentistry. You and your smile will benefit from gentle care delivered by our skilled and compassionate team, spa-like atmosphere and a wide range of sedation options!
Don’t Jeopardize Your Oral Health Due to Dental Fear!
Call today to ask about soothing sedation dentistry in Riverview, FL.
