Dental anxiety can vary from butterflies in the stomach to paralyzing fear. At We Smile Dentistry in London, Ontario, we understand that patients may be too nervous to sit through a lengthy procedure without help. That’s why Dr. Spagnuolo offers several forms of sedation dentistry to help you get past your fear and oral health issues promptly.
Using sedation dentistry for better oral health
Many patients with anxiety would rather put off procedures and deal with pain and sensitivity in their teeth. However, the longer you wait to get treatment, the more damage that decay and infection can do to your mouth. Eventually, issues can spread, deepening into your gums and bone, and the bacteria and toxins they create can make their way to your brain or heart. We offer three levels of sedation to help patients manage anxiety, so they can get the treatment they need as soon as possible.
- Conscious Sedation: With conscious sedation, we use nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, to put patients into a relaxed state. You will be fully aware of what’s happening throughout your visit, but pain and anxiety will be greatly diminished. Nitrous oxide is easily reversible using oxygen, so patients can still drive themselves safely.
- IV Sedation: If you have severe dental anxiety, our dental team may recommend IV sedation to help you relax. While you will be awake, you won’t be aware of what’s happening. The IV delivers the medication directly to your blood for a rapid effect, and it will be monitored by our team throughout your procedure.
- General Anesthesia: This method of sedation will render you totally unconscious, and it is reserved for only the most extreme cases of anxiety, as you won’t be able to respond to instruction or answer any questions. Patients who undergo anesthesia can expect an additional hour or two of appointment time to allow them to wake up.
Contact We Smile Dentistry to learn more
The cost of sedation dentistry will depend on the type you choose and the length of your procedure. Dr. Spagnuolo can provide further details based on your specific issues during your consultation.
The sooner you address issues with your oral health, the more likely you can preserve your teeth. Patients looking for a “dentist that uses sedation near me” can call We Smile Dentistry in London, ON, at (226) 605-0042 today to book an appointment.