If you avoid the dentist due to anxiety or sensitivity, you’re not receiving the professional dental care you need to keep your mouth healthy. At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we want you to feel completely comfortable and confident during your appointment. Dr. Greenfield will discuss your individual dental phobias and recommend the sedation treatment that’s best for you. We offer three types of dental sedation to keep your body and mind relaxed during your appointment.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a light sedation that is recommended to relieve anxiety for children and adults. You will inhale a gas through a facemask and begin to feel a little lightheaded. Dr. Greenfield will control the amount of nitrous you receive to keep your body safe and comfortable. You will remain awake during treatment, but your body will be relaxed and unaware of pain or discomfort. Once we remove the nitrous mask, you will immediately be able to continue with your daily activities and drive yourself home.
Intravenous (IV) Sedation
IV sedation provides relaxation for highly anxious or fearful patients, as well as those who don’t respond well to traditional anesthesia or who require many dental procedures in a short amount of time. Dr. Greenfield will work with an anesthesiologist to administer anesthesia directly into the bloodstream through an IV. Our anesthesiologist will monitor your comfort level and vital signs while Dr. Greenfield performs your dental work. IV sedation is a deep form of relaxation and you may not remember the feelings or experiences associated with your procedure. You will also need someone to drive you home after your appointment because grogginess can linger for up to 12 hours.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is a comfortable alternative to nitrous oxide. You will ingest a small oral sedative to help relax and calm your body. Dr. Greenfield may combine oral sedation with nitrous oxide to enhance the sedation. We recommend oral sedation for patients with sensitive gag reflexes, moderate anxiety, or physical discomfort. Following your appointment, you will feel drowsy and need to have a responsible adult drive you home, and you should rest until the medication subsides.
Dr. Greenfield’s sedation techniques are safe and effective to make your dental appointments more comfortable. To discuss your needs for sedation dentistry in Lake Orion, call our family dentist office at (248) 693-6213 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Greenfield. We welcome families from Lake Orion, Oxford, Rochester Hills, Clarkston, and the surrounding communities.
