Dental anxiety is common. It is quite natural for a person to be uncomfortable when placed in a position in which he or she feels vulnerable, as occurs in a dental chair. Therefore, it is important that you tell us if you have any anxiety related to your planned dental treatment. Keeping your fears hidden can lead to an unpleasant experience for you. Once Dr. Jeff and our Smile Shack team are aware of any dental anxiety or fears you may have, there are several ways in which they may be addressed. In some cases, simply discussing the planned procedure is all that is required to alleviate your anxiety. When this is not enough, other highly effective and safe calming techniques can be used to alleviate your anxiety.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, a colorless, sweet-smelling gas, also known as laughing gas, is the weakest form of anesthetic to aid in the relaxation of an anxious dental patient. When inhaled, nitrous is absorbed by the bloodstream and has a quick-acting calming effect on the patient. The nitrous gas used in dental offices is actually a blend of two gases: oxygen and nitrous oxide. When mixed together it gives the patient a sense of well-being and aids in relaxation of the entire body. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, nitrous oxide is non-addictive, mild, easily administered, and the safest sedative agent for calming patient fears of the dental office and procedures to be performed. Driving home after receiving nitrous oxide is permitted because the effects wear off quickly.

Oral Medicine

After taking your detailed health history, Dr. Jeff may prescribe an anti-anxiety agent to be taken by mouth one hour prior to your planned treatment, if other less intrusive methods prove ineffectual. If the anti-anxiety agent is administered at home, it is imperative that you do not drive a car to your appointment. So bring a companion along to drive you home. Also, you will not be permitted to drive a car or operate machinery for 24 hours following your appointment. The anti-anxiety agent will put you at ease so you experience little to no discomfort. And, Dr. Jeff will also administer a local anesthetic to ensure that you don’t experience any pain. At this point in the procedure, you’ll be so relaxed that you’ll hardly even notice. Unlike general anesthesia, which renders patients completely unconscious, an anti-anxiety agent leaves you able to speak and breathe on your own. In many cases, you can get all of your dental work done in one visit.

Waterlase - The All Purpose Dental Laser

Most patients loathe the sound of dental tools that whine and vibrate. They also detest the need for painful anesthetic shots in the gum tissue. With the advent of Waterlase dental lasers, for some procedures, those anxieties are a thing of the past. Waterlase is a high-tech, minimally invasive restoration tool that emits a precise laser that works on both soft and hard tissue with no whining or vibration, and often requires little or no anesthesia to do its work. Waterlase is capable of reshaping healthy gum tissue or removing diseased gum tissue. It can also decontaminate gum pockets infected by periodontal disease. For children with minor or superficial cavities, Waterlase can remove tooth decay without the need for shots, reducing your child’s anxiety of visiting the dentist. Other advantages of this efficient laser are minimized bleeding and swelling, speedy healing, as well as reduced risk of infection.