Your comfort is our top priority. We know that many patients feel anxious about dental visits, and conditions like movement disorders can make dental care challenging. Dr. Bassam Abazid offers sedation dentistry in San Antonio, TX, to help you feel relaxed and comfortable during your appointments.
Sedation is part of our general dentistry services. It can make routine treatments, like cleanings and tooth extractions, easier for you, helping to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Who Benefits From Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is often talked about as a way to help patients who are scared of the dentist. Dental anxiety can vary from person to person. Some people might be bothered by certain sounds or tools, while others might be so afraid that they avoid going to the dentist altogether.
Sedation helps these patients get the regular and more extensive care they need, especially if avoiding the dentist has caused bigger dental problems. It’s also useful for long or multiple procedures. Since it can be hard to stay still for a long time, sedation helps you relax. The dentist can work more quickly and efficiently without worrying about you moving or causing delays.
Sedation is helpful for patients with strong gag reflexes, which can make dental visits uncomfortable. It also benefits those who are afraid of needles, dental tools, or loud noises, as our sedation methods don’t involve needles. You may not be fully aware of the treatment during the procedure but can still respond to the dentist.
In addition to easing anxiety, sedation provides extra pain relief. It helps reduce your body’s sense of pain, making the whole experience better for both you and the dentist.
Sedation Dentistry in San Antonio, TX
Before using sedation, Dr. Bassam Abazid will make sure it’s safe and right for you. We will look at your medical history and current health to ensure there are no risks. Some conditions and medicines might not work well with the sedation we use.
For example, if you have liver or kidney problems, Dr. Abazid will not recommend anti-anxiety pills because your body may not handle the medication well. Sedation can also be risky if you have sleep apnea because relaxing too much might block your airway.
Dr. Abazid offers several types of sedation. If one is not safe for you, there might be another option that works.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
This is the mildest form of sedation. You breathe the gas and oxygen through a mask during the dental procedure. With laughing gas, you will feel relaxed and happy throughout the procedure. It works quickly and fades just as fast, so you can drive yourself to and from your appointment.
After we take the mask off, a few breaths of fresh air will make you feel normal again. Laughing gas is safe for children. We constantly monitor patients under sedation and can increase the amount of oxygen in the mask to help wake patients.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Dr. Abazid provides this sedation in the form of a pill that you take about an hour before your appointment. This is deeper sedation that lasts longer, so you’ll need someone to drive you to and from your appointment.
This sedation usually lasts multiple hours. While it doesn’t completely put you to sleep, you may fall asleep during the appointment because you’re so relaxed. You may not even remember parts or all of the procedure. You may also still feel sleepy when you return home after treatment.
Is Dental Sedation Safe?
Yes, sedation is safe. Our team is trained to provide sedation safely. We also monitor patients and can reverse sedation if needed. If you take sedation in pill form, Dr. Abazid can give you another pill to reduce the effects. He can also increase the amount of oxygen to help wake you up from laughing gas.
Some patients may worry about the side effects of sedation. You might feel nausea or dizziness after being under sedation for several hours. Taking medication and resting at home can help. We also suggest starting with liquids and soft foods after treatment to reduce discomfort.
How to Treat Dental Anxiety
Treating dental fear is about more than just comfort in the dental chair. Overcoming dental anxiety helps you get the care you need. If you avoid the dentist, you might suffer from tooth decay and gum disease. These common problems can damage your teeth and gums.
Waiting to treat dental problems makes them worse. When you finally get treatment, it may cost more or take longer. Regular visits every six months for cleanings and exams help prevent these issues. Sedation is a key tool to help you get the care you need.
Our office works with you to meet your needs. If loud noises bother you, we suggest bringing music and headphones. A stress ball can also help distract you during treatment. If you need a break, we can agree on a signal for a pause.
Remember, we’re here to help, not hurt. Good dental health improves your overall health. Contact us before your appointment to share your needs. We can also give you a tour and introduce our team before your visit.
Get Comfortable Dental Care
Are you avoiding the dentist? Sedation dentistry in San Antonio, TX, can help you get dental treatment. Call Smile Land Family Dental at 210-939-9689 or schedule a visit online. Please get in touch with us if you have questions about dental sedation.