Overcome Dental Anxiety in Greensboro, NC with Sedation Dentistry

Fear of the dentist is very real. Maybe it’s due to an unpleasant dental visit in the past, pain sensitivity, or just feeling a lack of control; dental anxiety can prevent patients from getting proper dental care. If you are avoiding dental appointments because of your anxiety, a sedation dentist in Greensboro, NC, can help you keep calm and comfortable during your dental appointment. 

Understanding Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety can affect adults and teens, and symptoms range from minor uneasiness to extreme fear. Triggers can include memories of past unpleasant dental experiences, certain sounds or smells in a dental office, fear of needles, or a sensitive gag reflex. These anxiety triggers can keep you from visiting the dentist regularly, which can lead to bigger problems long term. Sedation dentistry helps quiet these trigger responses, enabling you to relax during your dental visit. Working with a gentle dentist in Greensboro can make dental visits feel more manageable for patients who struggle with anxiety or fear.

How Sedation Dentistry Helps

Many patients ask, is sedation dentistry safe? When administered by a trained dental team, sedation dentistry is considered a safe and effective option for managing dental anxiety.

Sedation dentistry involves the use of different medications to help you remain calm and relaxed during your dental procedure. With sedation dentistry, you will have little to no memory of the procedure, have reduced awareness of sounds or sensations, and feel deep relaxation or even drowsiness during your treatment. Sedation dentistry also allows our team to perform multiple procedures at one time, which means fewer dentist visits for you.

Types of Sedation Dentistry

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

Nitrous oxide comes in through a small mask, with the patient breathing the gas in deeply. This type of sedation helps you relax while remaining awake and wears off quickly once treatment is complete.

Oral Sedation

Most often prescribed in pill form, oral sedation is used for deeper relaxation and sleepiness. The pill is taken shortly before your procedure, and you will be required to have someone with you to drive you home.

IV Sedation

This type of sedation is commonly used for procedures that are more complex or lengthy. The medication is administered intravenously and delivers deep sedation that most likely will result in a deep sleep. Directly following your procedure, you will be moved to a recovery room to allow you to awaken from the sedation.

Your dentist will work with you to determine which type of sedation works best for your situation.

Oral Sedation Cost

Sedation dentistry costs are a frequent concern for patients considering dental work. Costs can vary based on the type of sedation used, the length of the procedure, and if you have insurance, how much your copay may be. We’ll be sure to answer all of your cost-related questions during your first visit so you know what to expect.

Don’t let dental anxiety keep you from a beautiful smile. Contact our Greensboro office today to meet our team and learn how sedation dentistry can ease your concerns.