Sedation Dentistry
There are many names for it—dental phobia, anxiety, or plain old fear of dentists. However you describe it, dental anxiety can cause you to avoid treatment even when common sense tells you it’s time to see the dentist.
At Gardner Springs Dentistry, we understand how tempting it is to put off a dental exam or treatment if you suffer from dental anxiety. What if there was a way to get your dental treatment performed without feeling anxious, without fear, and without pain?
Discover the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry helps you conquer dental anxiety, allowing you to relax your way to a healthier smile. Beyond experiencing a stress-free state of mind, dental sedation at our Boerne, TX, dental office provides numerous benefits, including:
- The amnesic properties of certain sedation methods make hours of dental treatment feel like mere minutes!
- You won't remember any treatment-related discomfort, like local anesthetic delivery.
- Stress-related fatigue and discomfort in your jaw joints and muscles are minimized because your body is relaxed.
- Our team can provide more effective and efficient treatment when you're comfortable, resulting in less time in the dental chair and fewer appointments.
We Understand, and We Care
Everyone experiences dental fear differently. Before he recommends sedation, Dr. Gardner will discuss your anxiety, listen to your concerns, and explain the sedation options best suited to your needs. You may be surprised to find your fears are reduced simply by knowing that your concerns have been addressed with respect and understanding.
Your comfort and safety are our priorities at Gardner Springs Dentistry. Dr. Gardner's advanced training in various dental sedation techniques ensures a gentle, effective approach to managing your anxiety. He is certified to perform nitrous oxide sedation, oral sedation, and IV conscious sedation.
For those with severe anxiety or special needs, we maintain trusted relationships with local dental anesthesiologists who can safely administer general anesthesia in the comfort of our Boerne dental office.
Understanding Your Sedation Options
We offer various sedation options to suit your needs and ensure a comfortable dental experience.
Nitrous Oxide
Also known as "laughing gas," nitrous oxide is a mild sedative inhaled through a small mask over your nose. It helps you feel relaxed and at ease during your dental treatment. The effects wear off quickly, so you can return to your daily activities with no downtime.
Oral Conscious Sedation
With oral sedation, you'll take a prescribed medication about an hour before your appointment to help you feel calm and relaxed. You will remain conscious during the procedure but may feel drowsy and have little to no memory of the treatment. It's important to arrange for someone to drive you home after your appointment, as the sedative can remain in your system for several hours.
IV (Intravenous) Sedation
IV sedation involves administering sedative medication directly into your bloodstream for deeper relaxation. Our trained dental team will monitor you throughout treatment and can adjust the level of sedation as needed to ensure your comfort.
While you'll remain conscious, you'll feel completely relaxed and at ease and won’t remember much about the procedure afterward. As with oral sedation, you'll need someone to drive you home after your appointment.
Can Sedation Dentistry Benefit You at Your Next Appointment?
Don't let fear compromise your oral health and well-being. If you feel anxious about dental treatment, know you're not alone. Millions of people experience increased anxiety and fear surrounding dental visits.
At Gardner Springs Dentistry, we will work with you to find the sedation method that best meets your needs. If you're interested in learning more about the benefits of sedation dentistry, please contact our Boerne, TX, dental office today to schedule an appointment.