Dr. Smith and Dr. Albe understand that for some people, seeing the dentist can be frightening. Not that we are scary! But for some, the sights and sounds in our office—such as the drill—or a memory from childhood that established a lifetime of fearing all things dental can be huge obstacles to overcome. If you’re one of those who will do just about anything to avoid seeing the dentist, and that includes enduring pain, then we want to help. Your laughing gas dentist in Fort Lauderdale offers two types of sedation dentistry so you can have the dental care you need in order to have a smile that is healthy and attractive.
Who Needs Sedation Dentistry?
In addition to people who are fearful of the dentist, there are other people for whom sedation can be of assistance. They are:
- People that have a very sensitive gag reflex
- People with physical disabilities that make lying still for a long time difficult
- People who are resistant to local anesthesia
- Patients requiring a complex procedure or more than one procedure at a single appointment
Sedation Dentistry in Fort Lauderdale
The type of sedation that is best for you will depend on the type of dental treatment you need as well as your level of anxiety. Dr. Smith or Dr. Albe will be able to make the appropriate recommendation.
Laughing gas, also called nitrous oxide, is the solution for many people who experience mild anxiety at the dentist. Even if a basic dental cleaning and exam makes you nervous, we can use laughing gas to settle those annoying butterflies. Before beginning treatment, a small mask is placed over your nose. As you inhale, the nitrous oxide almost immediately begins to relax your body and your worries dissolve. At the end of your appointment, the mask is removed and the effects wear off almost instantaneously.
If your anxiety is a little more severe then oral sedation might be the best solution. This treatment actually starts to work even before you arrive in our office. Your sedation dentist in Fort Lauderdale will prescribe an oral medication to be taken at a specified time while you are still at home. As the sedative moves into your system, you might begin to feel a little sleepy. In fact, many patients feel as if they’ve slept through their appointments, but they do remain awake. With oral sedation, you must arrange for a responsible person to drive you to and from your appointment. And depending on how you feel afterwards, you may want them to remain with you for part of your recovery time at home.
Contact Our Office Today
Don’t be frightened of the dentist. We really are your friends. Call our office today to learn more about sedation dentistry, or to schedule the treatment you needs.