Anxiety-Free Dentistry
If you find that dental care falls to the bottom of your priorities for healthcare, you’re not alone!
There can be many reasons why 50 percent of the population isn’t proactive about their oral health. For some, it’s dental anxiety; for others, a bad experience in the past may keep them away from the dental chair. Or, your schedule may just be so busy that you can’t find enough hours in the day to get it all done!
But there’s no more reason to stress out about your oral health care – anxiety-free dentistry in Azle, TX is here!
What is Anxiety Free Dentistry?
Anxiety-free dentistry at Eagle Mountain Family Dental is the use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral medications or Intravenous (IV) medications (conscious sedation) to help you relax during your dental appointment. Using anxiety-free dentistry at our Azle, TX dental office, we’ve helped our patients get the essential care they need while remaining calm and relaxed.
During your initial appointment at Eagle Mountain Family Dental, Dr. Bateman will take the time to answer all your questions and listen to your concerns. Understanding your concerns and the source of your anxiety helps us provide you with personalized sedation options.
When it’s time for your sedation appointment, you’ll be amazed how getting dental care is less stressful than you ever thought possible! You’ll feel very calm, drowsy, and detached from the sights and sounds around you. Your safety is important to us so a member of our specially trained team will be there to monitor you throughout your appointment.
The benefit to you is that we can complete extensive dentistry in a single appointment, and when it’s finished, you’ll have little or no uncomfortable memory of the experience.
Am I a Good Candidate Anxiety Free Dentistry?
Dr. Bateman recommends anxiety-free dentistry for patients who:
- Have high anxiety about dental visits
- Suffered a traumatic dental experience in the past
- Dislike the sights, smells, and sounds of a dental office
- Have trouble getting completely numb
- Are afraid of needles and injections
- Have sensitive teeth
- Have a strong gag reflex
- Have TMJ problems and can’t hold their mouth open for extended periods
- Don’t have the time for multiple dental visits
What to Expect with Anxiety-Free Dentistry
At your initial evaluation, we’ll explain what your options for sedation are at our Azle, TX dental office and the pros and cons of both types.
If we decide that nitrous oxide is the right choice for your level of anxiety, we do not need to make any special arrangements before your appointment.
If you’re interested in more profound sedation that involves taking a sedative (or a combination of medication and nitrous oxide), we ask that you arrive an hour before your dental appointment. At this time, we will take your blood pressure and give you your medication
You may be a candidate for Intravenous (IV) sedation! Dr. Bateman spent 8 years in the Air Force providing IV sedation and is excited to offer that to his patients. A thorough consultation will determine if eligible, and if you are-he is able to administer the medications through the IV allowing them to have a quicker effect and a greater chance of you not remembering the procedure.
Dr. Bateman and our team will complete your treatment while you remain comfortable and relaxed. Because the medication stays in your system for several hours after treatment, you will need someone to drive you home from your appointment. It’s not necessary for someone to stay with you during your appointment; they just need to be there to drive you safely home.
Questions to Ask About Conscious Sedation
Before you agree to conscious sedation, be sure to ask the following questions:
- Will you monitor my breathing, heart rate and blood pressure during sedation?
- Will you monitor the oxygen content of my blood, and will my oxygen be monitored?
- Do you have emergency resuscitation equipment available on-site and immediately accessible in case of an emergency?
- Will I need someone to drive me home from my appointment?
- How soon will I be able to return to my usual activities?
Ask Us about Anxiety-Free Dentistry!
If you’re an anxious dental patient and your oral health suffers as a result, you won’t believe the difference that an anxiety-free approach will make. Your excellent oral health is invaluable, and you no longer need to neglect it because you’re nervous. With anxiety-free dentistry at our Azle, TX dental office, the answer is as simple as taking a pill or an IV placed!
Are you interested in learning more about sedation for yourself or a loved one? Please call Eagle Mountain Family Dental today at (817) 444-3890 if you have questions or are ready to get started!