Are you willing to admit that the thought of going to the dentist makes you a little nervous? Or actually, are you just plain fearful of the dentist and have consequently delayed and avoided a long overdue dental check-up? Well, with sedation dentistry, Dr. Bobby Carmen in Norman, OK, can ease your nerves and calm your fears.
Sedation Dentistry for All Types of Dental Procedures
Whether you are coming to see Dr. Carmen for a teeth cleaning and check-up or a more involved procedure, sedation dentistry can relieve your anxiety. The degree of sedation will depend on how invasive the procedure is and your level of fear. Dr. Carmen uses three types of sedation.
Oral conscious sedation combines oral medication with nitrous oxide to achieve the appropriate level of relaxation. In this case, you will usually take an anti-anxiety medicine the night before your dental appointment. The next morning, a friend or relative will accompany you to the dentist. Depending on whether or not you’re still feeling somewhat anxious, Dr. Carmen may decide to administer nitrous oxide to further calm you.
Another option is to use only nitrous oxide (many people know this as laughing gas). Once you are comfortable in the dental chair, Dr. Carmen will position a mask over your nose. You’ll then inhale the combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen until you are sufficiently relaxed for your dental work to begin. Once the mask is removed, the effects of nitrous oxide quickly wear off, so you’ll be able to drive after your appointment.
Finally, if necessary, Dr. Carmen works with an anesthesiologist who can administer IV sedation. This type of sedation can relieve severe anxiety and help patients with sensitive gag reflexes, TMJ or other neuromuscular disorders that may make keeping their mouths open for a long time difficult.
Call Our Office Today
Don’t let fear of dentistry stand in the way of your best oral health. Call the office of Dr. Bobby Carmen in Norman, OK, for an appointment made easier with sedation dentistry. Dr. Carmen conveniently serves patients throughout Central Oklahoma, Moore, Del City, and the University of Oklahoma.