If you have always struggled with the thought of going to the dentist, you are not alone. Dental anxiety and phobia are very real problems that affect both children and adults. In fact, estimates show that up to 15 percent of Americans refuse to visit the dentist because of anxiety. Among those who do go to the dentist, millions still experience anxiety once they sit in the dentist’s chair. Thankfully, there are several ways of combatting this issue today. When you visit our Little Rock sedation dentist, you’ll see firsthand how simple and easy dental care can be.
Sedation dentistry with our Little Rock sedation dentist can help calm patients down and help them feel less anxious while in the chair or even before they arrive at the office. While some people refer to this type of dentistry as “sleep dentistry,” this is not always an accurate description. With sedation dentistry, patients are not completely asleep and are not under general anesthesia. Instead, they are kept very relaxed. Depending on the type of sedation dentistry chosen, patients may remember every part of the procedure but with little to no fear, or they may not remember the procedure at all. The type of sedation chosen will depend on the patient’s needs, the length of the procedure and the provider’s preference.
As a cosmetic dentist in Cabot, Dr. Samuel F. Jirik has provided Little Rock residents with trusted sedation dentistry for years. In fact, he has been using oral sedation since 1986 and intravenous conscious sedation since 1997. Each of these types of sedation, as well as nitrous oxide, commonly called laughing gas, has an excellent track record of safety and efficacy.
Sedation ranges from minimal to deep, but minimal and moderate choices are typically utilized in the dentist’s office. For minor procedures, such as cleanings and fillings, minimal sedation can be safely used. Oral sedation requires taking a medication by mouth typically an hour or two before the procedure. Nitrous oxide is another type of minimal sedation. This is given through a face mask immediately before the procedure.
Patients who need moderate sedation, sometimes called conscious sedation, are typically those undergoing multiple procedures in one session or those with long treatment times. This medication is given at the office through an intravenous line. The medication works quickly and makes the patient very sleepy, allowing our Little Rock sedation dentist to get to work.
Sedation dentistry at the office of Samuel F. Jirik, DDS in Cabot can reduce dental anxiety, make appointments go faster, decrease gag reflexes and eliminate bad memories from the appointment. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our Little Rock sedation dentist!
