Sedation Dentistry Specialists in St. Louis
Have you or someone you love been avoiding going to the dentist because you feel anxious or fearful? Fortunately, Dr. Spalitto can help you overcome dental fear. That’s why we offer oral sedation, and nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas). If you are experiencing dental phobia, you may be avoiding vital dental appointments. Not taking care of your oral health can lead to tooth loss, disease, and overall health problems. Sedation dentistry is an excellent option for patients with extensive dental needs, concerns about anxiety, difficulty getting numb, or have sensitive teeth.
Modern dentistry has come a long way, and sedation dentistry has become a part of not just surgical procedures, but also routine dental work. Drawing from a wide range of sedation options available, the team at West County Dental has the experience and tools to ensure your next visit is comfortable and easy. We’ve been providing our St. Louis patients with top-quality dental care for years, and we take immense pride in making your next experience a positive one. For more information on the range of sedation dentistry options available, contact us today. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Complete Comfort with Sedation at West County Dental
Perhaps the most overlooked benefit of sedation dentistry is the element of time. When you need a complex procedure that may require several hours to perform, sedation dentistry can make hours feel like minutes! You will be pleasantly surprised at how much can be completed in such a seemingly short period of time, while being totally relaxed, and completely comfortable. Best of all, the very next day you will feel great!
Sedation dentistry involves making the patient feel more comfortable and mentally at ease with the help of medication. What is unique about sedation dentistry versus other medical fields is that, depending on your age group and needs, there are different options. In general, three forms of sedation are used to help patients have a more comfortable experience at the dentist. One benefit of sedation is that the patient is far more relaxed, which makes the entire procedure easier to complete. Without the underlying anxiety about the operation, our patients can sit back and relax while we take care of their teeth and gums. Because your mouth and gums are extremely sensitive, dentists can’t always prevent discomfort, even during a routine cleaning. If you have experienced trouble during cleanings or other simple oral exams, you might want to consider sedation dentistry.
Some additional benefits of sedation dentistry are:
- Reduced fear during your dental procedure.
- Higher level of comfort during the entire dental procedure
- Little to no memory of the experience, including sounds or smells.
- It lasts for up to five or six hours, depending on your needed treatment.
- More complex dental procedures that may normally require six to eight appointments can be done in as little as one! All while you are completely relaxed and comfortable.
- Reduces the fatigue of extended dental treatment requiring long visits.
Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Sedation?
Good candidates for sedation dentistry include patients with a dentist phobia, patients getting complex dental procedures, teenagers getting their wisdom teeth extracted, patients who have a hard time getting numb with Novocain, and patients who need several procedures done in one sitting. Sedation dentistry treatment options allow Dr. Spalitto to be more efficient and get more dental work done during one appointment.
Dental anxiety is a common issue, and we are proud to offer effective sedation options that will help, and a comfortable, welcoming, environment. We want you to feel comfortable at West County Dental, and will do whatever we can to help make you feel as relaxed as possible.
Types of Sedation West County Dental Offers
You breathe nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, combined with oxygen through a mask that’s placed over your nose. Inhaling the gas helps you to relax. Your dentist has the ability to control the amount of sedation you receive. This is the only form of sedation where you may be able to drive yourself home after the procedure.
Because it is a short-acting and easily controlled form of sedation, nitrous oxide is great for kids who have a phobia of going to the dentist, and can help alleviate anxiety safely and effectively. The effects wear off quickly — and they might even giggle!
Oral sedation is a form of sedation dentistry that is administered to adult patients in tablet form. You will be given a tablet to take before you come to our office. Once you arrive, our West County Dental team will assess if further medication is needed. Patients will remain awake during the procedure and can answer questions, but are in a state of complete calm and relaxation. Patients report less tooth sensitivity and more comfort. If you choose oral sedation, you will need to arrange for a ride to and from the dentist office.