Sedation Dentistry
Fear of dental work or dentists can keep you from getting the dentistry treatments you need for good oral health.
Smiles for Life Dental Care in Staunton and Bridgewater, VA, offers safe, calming sedation to keep you relaxed during dental procedures.
If you have been avoiding the dentist due to anxiety, our Harrisonburg area practice can use sedation to make your visit more pleasant...
Can Sedation Dentistry Make Results Like These Possible?
I Am Afraid of Dentistry Procedures Do Other People Have the Same Fears?
Sedation Dentistry Offers Many Benefits
Your anxiety-free dentistry experience begins the second you enter our practice serving the Harrisonburg, VA, area. The warm and friendly team at Smiles for Life Dental Care will do everything they can to help you relax. It's an added comfort that sedation dentistry options provide benefits like these:
No Pain
Fear of pain plays a huge role in dental anxiety. Sedation helps diminish pain receptors in the brain. When combined with local anesthesia, your procedure should be completely pain free.
Pure Relaxation
Sedation given at our offices in Staunton and Bridgewater will put you in a deeply relaxed or very drowsy state. It depends on if you choose nitrous oxide or oral sedation. Either way, you will remain conscious and able to respond to your dentist.
No Memory of the Procedure
Sedation can also prevent you from remembering your procedure, so you might have even less anxiety the next time you visit one of our Harrisonburg area offices for dental treatment.
Helps You Sit Still
Some patients may have medical issues that prevent them from sitting still, or physical issues that make sitting for long periods painful. Our sedation options can help you safely overcome these issues.
Reduces Gag Reflex
Many patients gag the second a dentist comes near their mouth with a dental instrument. This can make your procedure difficult to complete. Sedation calms the gagging reflex so your dentist can get to work and get you out of the dental chair as quickly as possible.
Makes Multiple Procedures Possible
Our smile makeover patients can benefit from sedation as it will allow our dentists to do more than one procedure while you are relaxing in one of our comfy dental chairs. This can cut down on the number appointments you have to make at our Harrisonburg, VA, area practice.
Ready to Overcome Dental Anxiety? Contact Us About Sedation Dentistry
If you suffer from dental anxiety, you already know that visiting the dentist for any kind of treatment can be an extremely stressful experience. Choosing Smiles for Life Dental Care for your next visit could be the most stress-free decision you have ever made.
Our dentists have received advanced training from the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation. This means that they are highly educated in the administration and monitoring of sedation, and can help anxious patients get the dental care they need.
Learn how sedation dentistry can make dental procedures as pain-free and stress-free as possible. Schedule a consultation using our online contact form or by giving us a call. And if you are seeking a second opinion, your consultation will be free.
Top-Tier Reviews from Our Family of Dental Patients "I had very little anxiety throughout the visit."
Carolyn McCartney
2016
I can't really say I loved the visit, but there are some necessary evils in life. What I can say is that although I have had a life-long fear of dentists; this visit was very quick, painless, and I had very little anxiety throughout the visit. This says a lot for me. The plus side is that although I needed an anesthetic for a filling, I could talk, drink, and smile immediately after. They are a great team, and I was smiling as I left the office.
View on GoogleDiane Hebdon
2015
I am so glad I'm a patient at this dental office. The anxiety I used to feel about going to the dentist is gone since having positive experiences here. I have been cared for by both Dr McIntyre and Dr Whiting. They both are professional, kind and give pain-free care. The office atmosphere is peaceful and I'm so pleased with the friendly, helpful and knowledgable staff. And....I get a muffin when I leave!
View on GoogleOur Sedation Dentistry Options
Whether because of anxiety or physical interference, many patients avoid dental treatment. However, this can allow harmful oral conditions to develop undeterred. These conditions can often indicate more systemic issues, including diabetes, immune disorders, heart or lung disease, and even AIDS. Routine dental appointments at our Harrisonburg area offices are important for identifying the early signs of adverse health conditions. These safe, gentle sedation options can help you keep oral issues from affecting your overall health:
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Also known as laughing gas, this gas mixture is the mildest form of sedation available. It is easily administered through a mask placed over your nose during treatment. Your dentist will carefully monitor your dosage throughout the procedure. Once the gas begins to take effect, you will feel relaxed but remain fully aware of your surroundings. You might even a giggle a bit. Once the mask is removed, the effects will wear off quickly. In fact, laughing gas is the only form of sedation that allows you to drive yourself home from one of our Harrisonburg area offices.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral sedation involves swallowing a prescribed pill about an hour before your procedure begins. Your dentist will determine the strength of the sedative based on your anxiety and the complexity of your procedure. The minimum dose will leave patients feeling drowsy but awake, while a moderate dose can put you into a deeper state of relaxation. You will still be able to respond to questions. The effects or an oral sedative can last awhile, so patients must ensure they have a ride to and from our office.
Read Why Our Patients Love Us "I would very much recommend them to anyone."
America Vespucci
2015
I hadn't gone to the dentist in almost 4 years and they made me feel comfortable and relaxed. They were gentle and the staff was amazing. I would very much recommend them to anyone.
View on GoogleJim Harris
2021
Relaxing atmosphere, friendly staff, guilt free service, great muffins.
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