It’s estimated that as many as 15% of Americans avoid the dentist because of dental anxiety, fear, and embarrassment. Do any of these describe you?
- Avoider: We see patients who haven’t been to the dentist in five, ten, or even twenty years.
- Embarrassed: Many of our patients cover their mouths when they laugh or don’t show their teeth when they smile.
- Ashamed: Patients tell us that other dentists have lectured them about their teeth or gums and were told they “needed dentistry”. This can cause shame, so they stop going to the dentist.
- Too Busy: Some patients say they’re simply too busy to coordinate multiple visits for complex procedures.
Sedation Dentistry Solutions
Our Nashua dental office welcomes you if you have been anxious about visiting the dentist or feel embarrassed about the condition of your smile. Dr. Levesque and our dental care team provide compassionate, judgment-free dental care in a warm and welcoming environment.
Our dentists will take time to listen and get to know you to fully understand what you want to achieve with your smile. We place the safety and comfort of our patients at the highest priority and are want to help you achieve a smile that is healthy and comfortable.
Levesque Dentistry offers sedation dentistry in Nashua NH for patients with dental anxiety and fear of the dentist. Sedation dentistry is also an excellent solution for patients who have extreme anxiety, sore joints, a sensitive gag reflex, and difficulty getting numb. Using conscious sedation methods, we can enable you to feel relaxed and pain-free during your dental treatment while still alert and responsive.
- Oral conscious sedation: our dentists can prescribe a sedative to be taken at home prior to your treatment. You will need to arrange for an escort to and from our office.
- Nitrous Oxide: laughing gas is administered using a tiny cannula placed beneath your nose. The natural inhalation during breathing will allow you to feel completely stress-free. Nitrous Oxide takes effect almost immediately and wears off quickly. We do recommend an escort for your safety.
Sedation dentistry can often enable our dental care team to provide multiple treatments during one visit. If you have complex dental concerns as a result of poor oral health and hygiene, consider dental sedation a solution for restoring your smile.
Dental Sedation FAQs
Am I a candidate for dental sedation?
We consider most patients as viable candidates for conscious sedation. Your dentist will discuss your needs and medical history prior to the use of sedation to ensure a safe and pleasant experience.
How long does dental sedation take to wear off?
Oral conscious sedation can take several hours to completely wear off. We advise that you not drive, operate machinery, or make big decisions for 24 hours.
Is sedation covered by my dental insurance?
Dental insurance typically does not cover he cost of dental sedation, or they may partially cover it. Our front desk will work with you to determine any possible benefits and to provide an estimate of your cost.
How common is dental anxiety?
Dental anxiety is fairly common, estimated to effect about 36% of the population. Studies have shown that 12% of the population suffers from extreme dental phobia.
What can I take for anxiety before dental work?
If you know that you suffer from dental anxiety you mat take an anti-anxiety medication such as valium an hour before your visit. We may also recommend dental sedation or oral conscious sedation (nitrous oxide) to help calm patients nerves and keep them as comfortable as possible.
Can dental anxiety cause teeth to hurt?
Dental anxiety can cause patients to grind their teeth, which may cause teeth to feel numb or tingly. Grinding can also cause damage to nerves causing tooth pain.
How long do the effects of dental sedation last?
Oral sedation will suppress your gag reflex and reduce pain responses. Dental sedation methods can last anywhere from two to eight hours following the procedure. The duration of sedation depends on the intensity of the surgery.
Will I feel any pain with dental sedation?
With sedation dentistry, you won’t experience any discomfort. In order to keep their patients calm and pain-free, dentists use a combination of sedation and anesthetic.