If the thought of going to the dentist puts you in full panic mode, we understand. In fact, millions of Americans suffer from dental anxiety.
At the office of Dr. Mark Wilhelm, we work hard to make sure our patients feel comfortable throughout their time with us. While we can assure you there’s nothing to be afraid of, we understand that dental anxiety is a real problem for a lot of people. That’s precisely why we offer a full lineup of sedation options to keep you comfortable and relaxed during your treatment.
Dental Sedation Options In Woodbury, MN
To ensure you feel completely comfortable during your time with us, at the office of Dr. Mark Wilhelm, we offer the following sedation options:
- Nitrous Oxide
The mildest form of sedation dentistry we offer. Nitrous oxide can help you relax during your treatment. You will likely feel tired but you’ll be able to answer questions and participate if needed. Because nitrous oxide wears off quickly after your appointment, you’ll be able to drive yourself home.
- Oral Sedation
Oral sedation provides mild to moderate sedation. To use oral sedation, you’ll need to arrive for your appointment an hour early to take the sedative in pill form. With oral sedation, you’ll be on the edge of sleep or you might even fall asleep. But you’ll still be able to respond to directions. Oral sedation is a great option for almost all procedures. However, the effects of oral sedation take several hours to wear off after your appointment so you’ll need a ride home.
- IV Sedation
With IV sedation, we can adjust the sedative effects as needed to suit your needs throughout the procedure. You’ll be asleep during the procedure which means you won’t remember a thing. You’ll need some time to recover from your appointment and will need a ride home.
- General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is the highest level of sedation dentistry we offer. You will be completely asleep which means we can work efficiently while you’re completely comfortable. You’ll need several hours after the procedure to get back to normal, so you’ll need a ride home.
Who Can Benefit From Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is used to help patients relax and feel at ease during their time at the dentist. But sedation can be used to relieve more than just dental anxiety. Sedation dentistry may also be an option for people who:
- Have a low pain tolerance
- Struggle to sit still in the dentist’s chair
- Have very sensitive teeth
- Have a strong gag reflex
- Require a lot of dental work
The only way to know for sure if you’re a candidate for sedation dentistry is to visit our office. During your time with us, we can go over any medical conditions that may interfere with sedation.
In order to benefit from sedation dentistry, you need to be in good overall health to ensure your safety. If you have heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, or respiratory disease, you’ll need to talk to your physician before being sedated to prevent complications.
During your initial consultation, we will go over your medical history and take a physical assessment before continuing your treatment. This is all done to protect you and your health.
Learn More About Sedation Dentistry Today
At the office of Dr. Mark Wilhelm, we encourage you to visit our office to learn more about sedation dentistry. We truly believe our sedation options set us apart from most dental offices that generally offer fewer options or no sedation at all.
Your health and happiness are our top priorities and we work hard to make sure all of our patients feel comfortable during their time with us. We encourage you to take the first step by calling our office to schedule a consultation. Don’t let your fears keep you from taking good care of your teeth.
Call the office of Dr. Mark Wilhelm in Woodbury, MN at (651) 319-9064. You can also contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you and changing the way you feel about going to the dentist!
