Common Questions About Sedation Dentistry

Does the thought of visiting the dentist fill you with fear? If so, do not worry because you are not alone. This relatively common condition—called dentophobia—affects anywhere from 9-20% of US adults. Fortunately, if you have not seen a dentist in a long time, dentistry has changed quite a bit for the better, making appointments faster and easier than ever before. If that still doesn’t get you to the dentist, you will be happy to know that sedation dentistry has made it much easier for those who experience anxiety to sit comfortably through a dental visit. Read on as we answer some sedation dentistry FAQs to learn more about how this dental technique can benefit you.

What is sedation dentistry?

The dental field has seen many advances over the years. It used to be that dental procedures were done without any anesthetics at all! Thankfully, that is no longer the case. Most dental procedures can be performed simply with local anesthetic. If you have an added layer of anxiety, sedation dentistry can be the help you need. Today, dentists have a number of medicines they can use to help patients relax before and during dental procedures. These drugs are safe, non-habit-forming, and they greatly minimize patients’ fears and anxieties.

What types of sedation dentistry do you offer?

At our office, we offer conscious sedation dentistry. Conscious sedation allows you to have a gentle, pain-free experience while minimizing movement and increasing cooperation, which ensures that your dental visit is a pleasant one. You will be awake during these procedures, but you will feel relaxed and at ease.

Additionally, we use comfortable massage chairs and provide overhead flat-screen TVs so the experience feels more spa-like than medical. In fact, our patients appreciate their visits to our office so much that over 99% of them would recommend us to a friend!

Who can benefit from sedation dentistry?

If you feel anxious or fearful at the thought of scheduling a dentist appointment, sedation dentistry is a good option for you. However, sedation dentistry can also help people who:

• Have a low threshold for pain
• Cannot sit still for long
• Have sensitive teeth or gums
• Have a bad gag reflex
• Require extensive dental work

Not sure if sedation dentistry is right for you? Contact our office at 330.434.3485 and we will be happy to discuss your particular situation with you.

How safe is sedation dentistry? Sedation dentistry is very safe if administered by a qualified professional. Both Dr. Petry and Dr. Walton have extensive dental experience, hundreds of hours of continuous education in the latest dental technologies, and accreditations with both the American Dental Association and the Ohio Dental Association. They are the right doctors for the job!

Before administering medication during your appointment, they will review your medical history and ask about any medications you are taking to make sure you receive the pharmaceutical that is best for you.

How can I schedule an appointment?

We are pleased to be able to offer sedation dentistry at our Akron office to both our current patients and new ones. Scheduling an appointment with us is easy. Simply call us at 330.434.3485 or click here to fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to your visit!