It’s probably fair to say that most people experience some level of anxiety when visiting the doctor or dentist. But for some people, visiting the dentist is absolutely nerve-wracking – so much so, in fact, that some of these patients postpone their dental office visits or cancel them altogether. Not going to the dentist can have devastating consequences for your oral health, which is why Dr. Reddy and our staff at Best Smiles Dental do everything we can to make our patients feel comfortable and at ease during their visits to our Hutto, TX, office. The best way to do that is through sedation dentistry.

Who Can Benefit from Sedation Dentistry

It’s obvious that anyone who suffers from a great deal of dental anxiety can benefit from sedation dentistry, but there are certain situations in which any dental patient can be helped by sedation methods. People who experience any form of traumatic injury can be helped by sedation, as well as people who will need to sit in the dentist’s chair for long periods of time or those patients who have difficulty getting numb. People who have a fear of needles can find sedation beneficial as well.

Forms of Sedation Dentistry We Offer

At Best Smiles Dental, we offer our patients two different types of sedation methods:

• Nitrous Oxide – Commonly referred to as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide helps people with mild levels of anxiety to relax while they’re in the dentist chair. Nitrous oxide often makes people feel a little giddy as well; hence the name. The effects wear off fairly quickly, and patients are usually capable of driving themselves home after their appointment.
• Oral Anxiety Pill – This form of sedation has been gaining popularity over the past few years, and it’s easy to understand why. This involves the patient taking a prescribed oral medication prior to their appointment. By the time they arrive at our office, they usually feel completely relaxed and a little drowsy, although still able to carry on a conversation. It’s important to remember that you’ll need a ride to and from our office if you choose this type of sedation.