Don’t let dental anxiety steal your smile
At Moore, Pascarella & Heinzen, we believe that great dentistry starts with great experiences at the dentist, which is why we’re so committed to your comfort at every visit. Dental anxiety is different for everyone, which is why we offer several types of sedation dental care in Redding and Red Bluff. Even if you’re normally comfortable at routine dental visits, you may hesitate about other treatments that require surgery, like dental implants.
Effective anxiety reduction and pain control do more than keep you comfortable. They also enable us to get more done during each visit to make your appointments as convenient as possible. With us, you can relax while we help you achieve the healthy, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.
Our dentists will work with you to help determine what sedation dentistry options are right for you. Say goodbye to dental fears and start looking forward to your next visit to the dentist!
Who needs sedation dentistry?
There are many reasons you may wonder if dental sedation is right for you. Even if you’re normally comfortable at routine dental cleanings, you may need help getting through other procedures like dental implant surgery.
Sedation is a great option for:
- Dental anxiety or dental phobias
- A fear of needles
- A strong or overactive gag reflex
- Disabilities that make it difficult to tolerate dental care
- Physical conditions such as tremors that can interfere with dental procedures
- Children who need help staying calm for a dental treatment
- Very sensitive teeth or tender gums
- Claustrophobia or problems tolerating close contact with medical professionals
- People who have trouble getting or staying numb with local dental anesthesia
- Long or complex treatment needs
- People who want to combine multiple treatments into fewer appointments
If you’re looking for sedation dentists in Redding or Red Bluff, talk to us. We can find the right solution for your individual needs, whatever that may mean. What you’ll never find here is judgment, so don’t hesitate to ask about our sedation options!
Our safe and effective sedation dentistry options:
Nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas)
A combination of odorless nitrous oxide and oxygen commonly known as laughing gas is breathed through a nasal mask to give a sensation of relaxation and euphoria. You’ll stay awake and aware, but feel a deep sense of wellbeing.
Nitrous oxide reduces your ability to feel pain, helps local dental anesthesia (numbing injections) work better, and suppresses the gag reflex. Best of all, it wears off immediately after your treatment, so you can get back to your regular routine without feeling groggy.
Nitrous oxide is so safe that it’s routinely recommended to help children get through procedures like cavity fillings without developing dental fears later.
Oral conscious sedation
Oral conscious sedation allows you to rest in a comfortable state sometimes called twilight consciousness. You may wonder if you’ll be completely asleep during sedation dentistry. While oral conscious sedation won’t put you fully “under” like general anesthesia, most people feel so relaxed they nap through their procedure.
To achieve this, we administer a combination of medications, which have been used safely for years and have found a home in dentistry for both kids and adults. We can tailor your dosage to create the right level of relaxation for you. That may be anxiolysis, also known as minimal or mild sedation, or it may be moderate sedation for a more profound effect.
After being sedated, you’ll be free of anxiety, lose sense of time, and likely have little to no memory of the treatment. This is an excellent option for anyone with moderate dental anxiety. It’s also a great option if you want to combine multiple treatments into fewer appointments.
We proudly offer oral conscious sedation dentistry in our Red Bluff office only. However, we have other sedation dental care options available in both Red Bluff and Redding to keep you comfortable through every visit to Moore, Pascarella & Heinzen.
What happens during sedation dentistry?
If you’re looking for sedation dentists who can help you overcome your anxieties and enjoy better oral health, you’ve come to the right place. Here is what to expect from sedation dental care.
First, we’ll help you figure out what approach to sedation dentistry is best for your unique needs. We’ll discuss your previous dental office experiences, specific phobias or fears you have, and what challenges you face during dental treatments.
When you’re ready for your procedure, we’ll administer the right medications in the appropriate dosage for your body weight, age, and anxiety control needs. In some cases, we’ll give you a small dose of medication to take about an hour before your appointment as well.
Once the medication has taken effect, we’ll also administer local dental anesthesia, also known as numbing injections. Even though sedation dentistry reduces your pain response, we want to make sure your procedure is completely painless.
There are multiple types of local anesthetic, some even are needleless, each suited for different types of procedures and situations. Our gentle sedation dentists will keep you comfortable throughout the whole appointment. The numbness, in time, will wear off completely usually lasting from less than an hour to several hours.
For oral conscious sedation, you’ll need someone to drive you home after your appointment and may want to spend the rest of the day relaxing at home.
What is local dental anesthesia?
Regardless of whether sedation dentistry is right for you, we provide pain-free dentistry with local dental anesthesia, also known as numbing injections.
However, we understand that many patients are afraid of needles or feel uncomfortable about the idea of local dental anesthesia. That’s why we also have a wide variety of topical anesthetics including gels and mouthwash, which can reduce the sensation of the injection or even eliminate the need for injections in some cases.
If you have any hesitations or concerns, we always encourage you to talk to us! We’ll work with you to find a solution that works for you.
Ready to say goodbye to dental fear? We’re here for you.
Sedation dentistry can help you feel confident visiting the dentist and overcome even severe phobias. As we help you replace stressful, uncomfortable, or overwhelming memories with feelings of calm and relaxation, you may find yourself looking forward to your dental visits.
Dental sedation can help you put an end to missed appointments and enjoy renewed oral health in total comfort. Schedule your consultation for sedation dentistry in Red Bluff or Redding, California today!
