Did you know that visiting the dentist is one of the most reported fears among adults? Dental anxiety is very real and can be overwhelming. If you suffer from this common fear, you’re not alone. You’re also not condemned to living a life devoid of dental care. We offer several sedation options for nervous patients so that everyone can lie back, relax, and let our dentists work their magic.
We are firm believers in gentle dentistry at Beenleigh Marketplace Dental. We want each one of our patients to be relaxed and at ease during their treatment. To facilitate this, we offer sedation and virtually pain-free dentistry services at our practice.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is a great option for people who find themselves dreading their dentist visits. It involves the use of sedative drugs to relax the patient before undergoing treatment. It allows people who suffer from dental anxiety or phobias to “take the edge off” their fear and obtain the treatment they need in a relaxed and comfortable space. There are a few different methods that are used in sedation dentistry; at Beenleigh Marketplace Dental, we favour the use of Nitrous Oxide, also known as “laughing” or “happy” gas.
Can Laughing Gas Stop My Dental Anxiety?
Nitrous oxide was first discovered in 1772. However, it was not until 1844 that dentist Horace Wells discovered its efficacy as a dental anaesthetic. Since then, nitrous oxide has been used in dentistry both as a pain reliever and a relaxant. As can be demonstrated from its long history of use, it is a safe and effective method of reducing pain and anxiety in dental patients.
Nitrous oxide is administered through a mask placed over the patient’s nose. The patient will notice a sweet smell and immediately begin to feel more relaxed as the gas starts flowing. Common reports claim feelings of euphoria or dreaminess and a blissful reduction in stress and fear. As the name ‘laughing gas’ implies, you may also feel giggly or light-headed. Nitrous oxide works very quickly, with effects being noticeable within three to five minutes.
Side effects are minimal and are very rarely severe or long-lasting. Some patients report mild headaches or nausea after treatment with nitrous oxide. However, these effects dissipate quickly. Additionally, the gas is safe for use on children, making it a great option if your little one gets frightened easily. It’s also safe for people with asthma, as it doesn’t affect the lungs or breathing. We will administer the gas to you and ensure that you receive exactly what you need to keep you in a state of relaxed calmness throughout your procedure. Nitrous oxide will greatly reduce your anxiety and fear and make the process of undergoing dental treatment significantly less stressful.
What Is Virtually Pain Free Dentistry?
No dental procedure can ever be promised to be truly painless. However, there are some things we can do to mitigate most of the pain. We use The Wand, a computerised anaesthetic distribution system, to reduce pain during dental treatments. The Wand system uses a tiny needle to precisely administer anaesthetic to the single tooth that requires treatment. The needle used to administer the anaesthetic is so small that most patients don’t even feel it. Essentially, it’s a painkiller that doesn’t require an enormous or intimidating injection syringe and doesn’t cause any numbness in the surrounding areas of the mouth. The anaesthetic gets to work immediately, with the computer delivery system ensuring that exactly the right amount of medication is provided throughout your treatment. When used in tandem with nitrous oxide, The Wand truly can deliver a pain-free and relaxing dental experience.
How Can We Help?
We are great believers in gentle dentistry at Beenleigh Marketplace Dental, which is why we offer sedation dentistry with high-tech pain relief. Our dentists don’t want anyone to be afraid or uncomfortable while in the chair, and we will do everything in our power to ensure that you have a stress-free experience at our practice.
To learn more about sedation and virtually pain-free dentistry at Beenleigh Marketplace Dental, please have a look here.
To get in touch, please call (07) 3801 8799 or drop us a line here.