Sedation Dentistry
Sedation Dentist Salt Lake City
Does the idea of going to the dentist keep you from prioritizing your oral health? Never fear! Our Salt Lake City sedation dentists offer dental anxiety management options at Amigos Family Dental. Whether you’ve had negative dental experiences prior or find sitting through long dental appointments physically taxing, Dr. Todd Petersen and Dr. Tad Tholstrom have strategies and sedation dentistry services to keep you smiling throughout your upcoming dental appointment.
What is sedation dentistry, and how can it improve dental appointments?
Sedation dentistry is a technique used to help patients relax during dental procedures. It involves using medication to calm and relax the patient, allowing them to undergo treatment without feeling nervous or uncomfortable. So, if you want a stress-free dental experience, consider discussing sedation dentistry with your Salt Lake City dentist. Dr. Petersen and Dr. Tholstrom will be able to provide you with more information, and together, you can decide if dental sedation is the right choice for you.
Even if you do not suffer from dental fear or anxiety, sedation dentistry can be beneficial in other scenarios, including:
- Easing responsive gag reflexes or sensitive teeth
- Relaxing facial muscles for those that have stiff jaws and other conditions that pose a challenge for opening the mouth for lengthy dental appointments
- Helping patients sit still during extended or multiple procedures in a row
Our Mild to Potent Sedation Dentistry Options
Dental health is directly connected to overall wellness. So, if your fears are keeping you from getting routine or restorative dentistry, our Salt Lake City family dentists might recommend one of the following forms of sedation dentistry:
Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a safe sedation dentistry option for kids and adults. This mild form of sedation allows the patient to feel awake and aware—but with an uplifted mood. Laughing gas is easily administered through a mask placed on the face and loses its effectiveness quickly.
When a patient needs something a little stronger than nitrous oxide, Dr. Petersen and Dr. Tholstrom can prescribe oral conscious sedation. This form of sleep dentistry is typically a pill or liquid medication and can make the patient feel drowsy and more cooperative during their dental procedure. Since this form of dental sedation takes a moment to wear off, we ask that patients coordinate for someone to drive them home and potentially supervise them as the oral conscious sedation medication wears off.
During IV sedation, our dental team carefully inserts an IV line into the vein in the arm to provide a continuous flow of sedatives so that the patient remains unconscious and stress-free throughout the procedure. Generally, we recommend IV sedation for more complex and lengthy dental procedures, like wisdom tooth removal, and ask patients to arrange a ride home before arriving at our dental office.
A Little Dental Sedation Goes A Long Way
While one might need sedation dentistry for every appointment, it can be a handy tool for many who struggle with sitting through treatments and procedures. Dr. Petersen and Dr. Tholstrom might recommend sedation dentistry options to increase comfort and relaxation during your next procedure based on individual needs and preferences. Call (385) 295-1601 or message Amigos Dental Care online to learn more about sedation dentistry options in Salt Lake City, UT.
