Dental anxiety is a significant cause for Americans avoiding the dentist's office. Up to 20% of Americans suffer from dental anxiety. This leads to bad oral hygiene and, in some situations, even worse dental health issues.
At McMillan Family Dental, we want you to get the treatment you need to keep your oral health in tip-top shape. If you are experiencing dental anxiety or fear about an upcoming appointment, treatment, or procedure, please let us know! We have options that can help ease your dental anxiety, so you can get the treatment you need.
Sedation dentistry refers to the use of sedatives and anesthesia to put the patient in a state of ease and relaxation throughout their dental treatment. Our dentist can combine sedation with a local anesthetic. Local anesthesia is an injection of medicine to an area in the mouth of a patient where an operation or treatment is occurring. It numbs the target and surrounding area, so the patient experiences no pain.
At McMillan Family Dental, we know the dentist can be intimidating, so we always make a special effort to create a comfortable, safe, and stress-free environment when you visit us. We provide sedation dentistry options to help you overcome any dental anxiety you may experience.
Sedation options are used for patients who experience dental anxiety or during certain dental treatments, so patients experience no pain.
Local anesthesia is an injection of medication and is administered to the area of concern where a treatment or procedure will take place. Anesthesia blocks pain receptors, numbing the target and surrounding areas where administered. It allows the patient to remain alert and awake, but experience no pain while undergoing treatment. Local anesthesia can be safely combined with sedatives for a more relaxing, stress-free treatment experience.
Laughing gas is the most commonly used form of dental sedation. The gentle, sweet-smelling gas is administered through a small mask placed over the patient’s nose. Laughing gas puts the patient in a state of ease, relaxation, and even giddiness, which is where the gas gets its name. While you probably won’t laugh while under laughing gas, you will feel very calm throughout your procedure.
Yes, laughing gas is safe for patients age 6 and older. Our team is trained to safely and effectively administer laughing gas to patients of all ages.
Don’t let your dental anxiety get in the way of your oral health needs. For sedation dentistry in Meridian, please call our dental office at (208) 202-7159 to schedule an appointment.
