You should never be ashamed of experiencing dental anxiety. The number of people who fear the dentist is extraordinary and many of these people will actually avoid the dentist out of their fear and worry. This leaves them open to dental health issues that can cause major problems and long-lasting damage. This is the primary reason that Dr. Gohard and our compassionate team at A Healthy Smile Dentistry in Florham Park, NY encourage you to learn about sedation dentistry.
On top of being a suitable remedy to dental anxiety, sedation dentistry is also ideal for those who are having lengthier procedures. Rather than repeated injections of numbing agents and the general fatigue of sitting for a long period of time during the treatment, some forms of sedation dentistry allow you to sleep through the process. You can get a wide array of work done and yet you won’t suffer the boredom, anxiety or frustrations that might otherwise bother you.
If you do have dental anxiety, and it is keeping you from getting care, the first step is to meet with Dr. Gohard or a member of our team to discuss the situation. We can review your health with you and then present you with the options for sedation dentistry we can safely make available. Generally, we use what might be called the full spectrum of choices.
We have standard local injections that work as numbing agents which eliminate any localized pain. We pre-treat the area to eliminate pain during the injection. However, many people experience dental anxiety because of the needles. That is why we also offer “laughing gas.” This is a good way to offset anxiety, though it does not work as a painkiller. It can support you through treatments and allow you to remain comfortable.
We also use true sedation that is administered through an IV and which renders you unconscious throughout the treatment. We carefully monitor throughout this “sleep dentistry”. It is a good solution if you are having several treatments at once and it allows you to awake without any memory of pain, discomfort or anxiety.
Is dental anxiety preventing you from getting care or cosmetic treatment? If so, give us a call to book a consultation about all of your sedation options. You can reach our office at 973-377-2222. You can also use our online contact form and one of our staff will get back to you promptly.