Has it been years since your last dental visit? We understand many patients have dental anxiety or fear around dental visits. Hardin Cosmetic and Family Dentistry can help. Dr. Chris Hardin provides comfortable sedation dentistry in Indianapolis, IN. Sedation is part of our general dental services.
Can I Benefit from Sedation?
Yes! Many people can benefit from sedation dentistry, especially if going to the dentist makes them feel nervous or uncomfortable. Sedation helps you feel calm and relaxed during your dental visit so you can get the care you need without stress or fear.
You may be a good candidate for sedation dentistry at our Indianapolis dental office if you have:
- Dental anxiety or fear
- A strong gag reflex
- Trouble sitting still
- Sensitivity to pain
The Benefits of Dental Sedation
If you feel nervous about going to the dentist, sedation dentistry can make a big difference. It helps you stay calm, relaxed, and comfortable during your visit. At our Indianapolis office, we offer sedation to make your experience better in many ways:
- Less Stress and Anxiety: Feeling nervous or scared about dental visits is common. Sedation helps you stay calm before and during your treatment. It can make you feel like the appointment went by quickly and help you feel more in control.
- More Comfort During Treatment: Dental procedures can sometimes take a long time or cause discomfort. Sedation helps your body relax, so you won’t feel as much discomfort. It’s a great option if you have sensitive teeth, a strong gag reflex, or just want a more comfortable experience.
- Fewer Appointments Needed: Since sedation helps you stay still and relaxed for a longer period of time, our dentist can do more work in one visit. That means fewer trips to the dental office to complete your treatment.
- A Better Overall Experience: For many people, sedation makes dental care much easier. If you have dental fears, a low pain tolerance, or trouble sitting still, sedation can turn a stressful situation into a much more positive and manageable experience.
Sedation Dentistry at Hardin Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
Dr. Hardin offers conscious sedation in his dental office to help patients feel calm and comfortable during their dental visits. This type of sedation is a safe and effective way to reduce anxiety and help you relax. It also keeps you awake and able to respond to Dr. Hardin.
Conscious sedation uses medication to help you feel sleepy and relaxed, but you won’t be fully asleep. You can still follow instructions and talk with the dental team if needed. Many patients don’t remember much about the procedure afterward, which can be a big relief for those who feel nervous about dental work.
Dr. Hardin may give you conscious sedation in the form of a pill or gas (like nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas). The type will depend on your needs and the type of treatment. He’ll talk with you ahead of time to choose the best option for you.
Dental Anxiety and Fear
Many people feel nervous or scared about going to the dentist. Patients may imagine a dentist with a loud drill, ready to cause pain or pull teeth. But today’s dental visits are very different from what people fear. A good dental office focuses on making patients feel comfortable, relaxed, and happy during their visit.
Dr. Hardin works hard to help reduce your anxiety and make your treatment as quick and painless as possible. He’ll talk to you before treatment to understand your concerns. Then he’ll do everything they can to help you feel at ease. Dr. Hardin can also use a variety of safe anesthetics to prevent pain and help you feel more relaxed even during regular checkups.
Modern dentistry is all about making your visit easier and more pleasant, so you can get the care you need without fear.
Some of the most common dental fears that we can calm in our office include:
- Fear of embarrassment about the condition of teeth
- Fear of gagging
- Fear of injections
- Fear of loss of control
- Fear of not becoming numb when injected with Novocaine
- Fear of pain
- Fear of the dentist
- Fear of the handpiece (or the drill)
How Can I Overcome Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety and fear can become completely overwhelming. It’s estimated that as many as 35 million people don’t visit the dental office at all because they are too afraid. Receiving regular dental check-ups and cleanings is incredibly important. Routine check-ups are the easiest way to maintain excellent oral hygiene and reduce the need for more complex treatments.
We recommend these helpful tips to make your dental visits less stressful:
- Talk to Us: We’re here to help, but we can’t guess how you feel. Let us know if you’re feeling nervous or scared. When we understand your worries, we can take extra steps to make you feel more comfortable during your visit.
- Bring Music: Listening to music through headphones can help calm your nerves. It also blocks out the sounds of dental tools, which can trigger anxiety in some patients. Music also helps you concentrate on something other than your treatment.
- Agree on a Hand Signal: If you’re worried about feeling pain and being unable to speak up, choose a hand signal with our dentist before the procedure begins. You can raise your hand or tap on the chair. This signal can let us know to stop and check in with you.
- Use Throat Spray: Some people have a strong gag reflex, which can make dental visits hard. Using a throat spray like Vicks® or Chloraseptic® before your appointment can help control the reflex for about an hour.
- Bring a Mirror: Not knowing what’s happening can make you feel more anxious. Holding a mirror and watching the procedure can help you feel more in control and less afraid. Dr. Hardin can also explain what he’s doing while he’s doing it so you know what to expect.
- Consider Sedation: If your fear is very strong, sedation might be a good option. Sedation can help you relax during treatment. Dr. Hardin will still monitor you carefully, and you’ll return to normal once the visit is over.
Schedule a Visit Today
Treat dental fear and anxiety once and for all. Get comfortable dental sedation in Indianapolis, IN. Call us today at 317-830-0073 or request an appointment online.