Dental anxiety is a spectrum. Some people feel mild concern about the prospect of going to the dentist, while others break out in a cold sweat and refuse to walk in the door of the office. And regardless of how nervous you’re feeling about your upcoming dental appointment, your dentist in Franklin, Indiana, Dr. Joshua Stevens, has a solution: sedation dentistry. Read on to learn more about how we can help you relax, even in the dentist's chair!
Why is sedation dentistry necessary?
It's perfectly natural to avoid something that you fear. However, when it comes to dental care, avoidance can lead to major problems that will still require treatment but may be uncomfortable and expensive to manage. Being excessively nervous can also complicate your Franklin dentist's job, particularly if it's a lengthy or in-depth procedure. Sedation dentistry allows everyone involved to be at ease and any dental procedure or treatment to go off without a hitch!
How can sedation dentistry help me?
As we mentioned above, dental anxiety is not a "one size fits all" condition. That’s why your Franklin dentist offers a variety of ways to treat it with sedation dentistry. Some people will find that wearing a lightweight mask that delivers a harmless, calming gas called nitrous oxide is enough to help them feel more comfortable.
Others may need a prescription for a pill that they take before their appointment; this medication provides more of the anti-anxiolytic, or calming, effect needed for a procedure.
Other patients who have severe dental anxiety, or even a phobia of the dentist, may need intravenous support. While this medication doesn't exactly make you "go to sleep," most people are relaxed enough that they don't remember much, if anything, about their dental appointment.
Don't let dental anxiety hold you back. Contact Franklin Dental in Franklin, Indiana to set up an appointment with Dr. Joshua Stevens to discuss your sedation dentistry options. Call us at (317) 868-2672 today!