Do you tremble in fear at the thought of sitting in the dentist’s chair? Does the mere sound of a drill send shivers down your spine? You are not alone. Studies suggest that approximately forty million people avoid going to the dentist each year due to dental phobia.

Dr. Gibbons and Dr. Lee want to help you conquer your fears with sedation dentistry. Call our Mesa dental office at (480) 838-4185 to schedule a consultation with one of the doctors today.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

With sedation dentistry, a patient receives one of several forms of sedation prior to or during a procedure. Sedation helps patients with mild to severe anxiety, low pain tolerance, and/or a sensitive gag reflex to relax, easing stress and fear, while also reducing the brain’s ability to recognize discomfort.

Many sedation dentistry patients have no memory of their visit once the medication wears off. Dr. Lee offers sedation for all procedures, from dental cleanings to dental implants. Sedation dentistry even allows the doctor to perform multiple treatments or procedures that would normally take several visits, in a single appointment.

What Types of Sedation Are Available?

We offer three types of sedation in our Mesa, AZ dental office. The sedation method recommended for you will depend upon the procedure(s) you need and the severity of your anxiety, stress, or phobia.

• Nitrous Oxide – Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is inhaled through a mask, leaving the patient feeling calm and relaxed. Nitrous oxide wears of quickly after the procedure is finished.
• Oral Sedation – For patients who may need a bit more help relaxing, we offer oral sedation. The patient takes a pill an hour beforehand, and arrives to the dental office feeling calm. Depending on the patient’s needs, the doctor may administer another pill on arrival for deeper sedation. While sedated, you will retain consciousness and the ability to speak to the doctor, but you will have no knowledge of the details of your treatment. Oral sedation works quickly and wears off gradually, so it is necessary to have a responsible driver bring you to and take you home from your appointment.
• IV Sedation – Intravenous sedation is very deep, and is good for patients with extreme fear or who need long procedures. The sedation medication is administered directly into the patient’s bloodstream, resulting in a state of extreme relaxation that lasts as long as it is being administered. The IV sedation also wears off gradually, so the patient must have a driver to escort him or her to and from the appointment.

What If I Need Several Procedures?

Many patients have such severe anxiety about going to the dentist that they would rather suffer major pain than step into a dental office. Some may have gone years since their last visit. They may come in after all that time to find that they need a root canal and three cavities filled, or an even more invasive procedure, to restore optimal oral health and function.

One of the best advantages of sedation dentistry is that Dr. Gibbons and Dr. Lee can perform multiple procedures in one visit. Patients can rest comfortably for five or six hours in the chair, undergoing several short treatments or one long one, while under the effects of sedation. When the medication wears off, the patient may believe that he or she was only there for ten minutes. Many retain no memory of the experience. With these results, patients with previously crippling fear of the dentist can now keep their teeth healthy and looking good, with no worries.

Call Now For An Appointment

Don’t let dental anxiety keep you from a great smile and excellent oral health! Contact Desert Family Dental at (480) 838-4185 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lee in our welcoming Mesa, AZ office, and lay your fears to rest once and for all.