Dental anxiety affects around 15% of the population — that’s more than 50.5 million people. This fear can be so intense it leads many to postpone or forego essential treatments.
Sedation dentistry creates a calming experience, allowing patients to receive necessary care without anxiety or discomfort.
Whether you need a root canal, extraction, emergency dentistry, or a filling, sedation can make your visit to Kathryn Jodry, DDS, a stress-free experience.
Sedation dentistry uses medications to ease fears and help patients relax during dental procedures. The goal is to ease anxiety and create a sense of calm while ensuring the patient remains responsive.
We employ various sedation techniques based on a patient’s level of anxiety and the procedure’s complexity:
Inhaling nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” mixed with oxygen through a mask over your nose helps you relax without putting you to sleep. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly, often allowing you to drive yourself home afterward.
For mild to moderate anxiety, a dentist may prescribe a sedative pill you take about an hour before the procedure. A low dose induces mild relaxation, while a higher dose may cause drowsiness. Though you remain awake, you may feel so relaxed that you drift off briefly.
IV sedation works quickly and lets Dr. Jodry adjust your dosage throughout the procedure. It delivers a deeper level of sedation than oral or inhaled options.
In addition to sedation, we typically use a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area and ensure you feel no pain.
Sedation dentistry is ideal for people whose fear or anxiety prevents them from receiving regular dental care. Common factors contributing to dental anxiety include:
Procedures such as root canals and dental implants can be intimidating, but sedation helps you stay calm and comfortable.
Many people feel anxious about surrendering control to others and fear being helpless. Sedation eases this discomfort by creating a sense of calm.
Some people find pointy metal instruments and the noise of drills overwhelming. Sedation minimizes awareness of these stressors.
Sedation helps those with a strong gag reflex or a small mouth relax during dental work.
An unpleasant experience with a previous dentist might have led to long-term anxiety. Sedation provides a way to rebuild trust and create a positive experience when you become a patient at Kathryn Jodry, DDS.
Sedation dentistry also benefits children who struggle to cooperate during dental visits. Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective option for most kids, but oral sedation might be necessary in a few cases.
Dentists must meet state licensing requirements and complete specialized training to perform sedation. That means sedation dentistry is very safe, provided a qualified professional like Dr. Jodry administers it. To further ensure your safety, we:
For people who struggle with severe dental anxiety or phobia, sedation dentistry removes barriers to receiving proper care. It alleviates stress, makes complex procedures manageable, and helps patients overcome fears tied to past experiences or specific triggers.
Beyond calming the mind, sedation enhances the dental experience by enabling Dr. Jodry to complete more work in fewer visits. In addition, patients often find themselves more willing to return for follow-up care, setting them on a path to better oral health.
If you’ve been putting off a visit to the dentist, talk to us at Kathryn Jodry, DDS, about sedation. Your next appointment will feel less scary and more like an opportunity to comfortably and confidently prioritize your oral health. Call today or contact us using the online form.
