Are you not looking forward to your next dentist appointment? Does the thought of visiting the dentist fill you with fear? You’re in good hands. Dr. Melvin Benson provides sedation dentistry in Sarasota, FL for patients who fear the dentist or suffer from dental anxiety. He received a Certification in Adult Conscious Sedation from DOCS Education. Dr. Benson is a caring dentist that will help you get the dental care you need.
The Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS) offers advanced dental courses for dentists learning about sedation dentistry. DOCS allow dentists to take continuing education courses to keep up with the best dental sedation methods. Dentists learn from master practitioners how to safely administer different types of sedation to ensure patient comfort. After their DOCS education, dentists are ready to implement their knowledge to provide patients with comfortable, relaxing dental care. Dental sedation is a great solution for patients that experience dental anxiety before receiving one of our general dental care services.
Who Benefits from Sedation Dentistry?
There are many of our patients who utilize and benefit from dental sedation. While it is used especially for those with dental anxiety, sedation methods can also help patients with other types of problems. Patients with these problems benefit from dental sedation:
- Dental Anxiety
- A fear of loud noises, tools, and pain
- Poor gag reflex
- Certain medical conditions
- Low pain threshold
Furthermore, we can utilize dental sedation on patients who are receiving many dental treatments in a single visit. Often these types of appointments make it difficult for the patient to sit still for a long period of time. It also benefits patients who are having more complex dental treatments done. Our dental team collaborates with patients individually to find the best dental solutions for their smiles. Meeting each patient’s goals, budget, and oral health needs is our goal. If you have any questions about your finances and dental insurance, call our office or visit Payment and Insurance.
Sedation Dentistry in Sarasota, FL
Dr. Benson offers oral conscious sedation and nitrous oxide. Anxious patients or patients who other issues can benefit from oral conscious sedation and nitrous oxide because they can feel more comfortable during their treatment.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is a type of sedative given in a pill form. You will need to take the medication before your dental appointment so you can feel the effects before Dr. Benson gets started. Before your appointment, we will give you a prescription that you will need to fill and directions on how to take the medication.
This type of sedative will induce a deep state of relaxation. You will feel very drowsy but the medication will not put you to sleep. You will remain conscious and responsive during the entire appointment. In this state, most patients are able to remain calm, completely relaxed, and feel no pain. You will be able to feel the sensations, but they will not be painful or uncomfortable.
Since you will be sedated before and after your appointment, you will need to find reliable transportation to and from your appointment. It is also important that someone remains with you for safety reasons after the appointment since you will be in a sedated state.
Nitrious Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas more commonly known as “laughing gas.” It is a common form of dental sedation that provides our patients places our patients in a mild sedative state. It is administered through a mask along with oxygen that we will place over your nose. The mask will remain there for entire dental appointment as you must be breathing it in the gas to benefit from the effects.
When patients breathe in nitrous oxide and oxygen, they can immediately feel the effects. Under nitrous oxide, patients may feel light-headed but calm and relaxed. It induces a state of total relaxation and euphoria immediately. Nitrous oxide allows patients to remain conscious and responsive during the procedure.
Nitrous oxide also wears off quickly, so patients can drive themselves to and from their appointments. This type of sedation is also safe for children, as we adjust the amount of nitrous oxide and oxygen according to each patient.
Other Ways We Make Your Appointment as Comfortable as Possible
We will also use local anesthesia to numb a treated area. Our team can also use a combination of anesthesia and sedation as needed. Please let us know if you or a loved one have dental fear and require accommodation. Even before your next visit, we can plan accommodations based on your specific oral health needs.
We will also perform an examination to customize your care. We are committed to giving you the best dental care available. Our friendly staff aims to create a comfortable environment where patients can ask any questions and voice their concerns. We hope that these open lines of communication will help you feel confident about your upcoming dental treatments.
Patient education is an important part of our dental practice. Before every procedure, especially if we know our patients suffer from dental anxiety, we will take the time to explain what to expect. We may provide you with informative materials and resources about your dental procedures. These steps will help to empower you with knowledge to hopefully reduce fear.
Call Today to Learn More About Sedation Dentistry in Sarasota, FL
Do you have dental fear or anxiety? Our team is here to help suggest the best treatment method depending on your level of anxiety and dental needs. Call Integrated Dental of Florida at 941-270-9755. You can also request a dental appointment on our website.