Posted: January 21, 2016
To keep your teeth in optimal health, regular checkups should be part of your dental regimen. But if you have a fear of going to the dentist, whether stemming from a negative experience or just from the sounds that emanate from a dentist's office, more serious problems in your teeth can arise if you miss regular maintenance and cleaning appointments.
There are many ways to help alleviate your dental anxiety, from going to your first visit with someone you trust, listening to calming music, watching television during a procedure, or using relaxation techniques such as slow breathing and muscle relaxation. If, however, these don't fully help, you may want to try sedation dentistry. Generally, sedation dentistry puts you in a state of relaxation with the aid of sedative medication.
Dr. Frank offers three different sedation dentistry options:
- Nitrous oxide gas, controlled by our dentists for the right level of sedation; the effects of nitrous oxide gas wear off quickly, so you should be able to drive home yourself.
- Oral conscious sedation involves taking a pill just prior to your procedure that will keep you in a semi-conscious state. You will be able to communicate with your dentist, but will probably have no memory of the procedure.
- IV sedation, in which your sedative is administered intravenously so it takes effect quickly, is usually reserved for more complicated dental procedures, and will be monitored by our anesthesiologist, Dr. Atlas.
In addition to sedative-based options, Dr. Frank also offers NuCalm®, an all-natural sedation dentistry alternative.
If you've been avoiding the dentist because of dental anxiety, consider sedation dentistry to help you get the treatment you need. Our Hoboken dentists can help you decide which option is right for you.
Please contact the Practice at Maxwell Place using the form on this page or call 201-792-9400 today to schedule an appointment. We serve patients in Hoboken and Jersey City, New Jersey.
