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Artisan Dentistry's Blog

A Comprehensive Guide to Sedation Dentistry for Anxious Patients in Salem, NH

Feb 22nd, 2024

Dental anxiety is a prevalent barrier that prevents many patients in the Salem, NH area and the US in general from receiving the dental care they need. This leads many patients to search for a dentist that puts them to sleep for their dental procedures. Sedation dentistry, like that offered at our dental office in Salem, NH, has enabled many people to undergo dental procedures in a more relaxed state. This comprehensive guide delves into sedation dentistry, addressing common questions and concerns to help those with dental anxiety navigate their options. If you are looking for a dentist near you that does sedation dentistry, our dental sedation specialist would be happy to welcome you.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry involves the utilization of medication and other methods to help patients relax during their dental visits. It’s been a great way for for people who experience dental anxiety or phobia to get the dental care they need. Sedation levels range from mild relaxation, where the patient remains fully conscious, to deep sedation or general anesthesia, where patients have little to no memory of the procedure.

Types of Sedation Used in Dentistry:

Let’s review the various forms of dental sedation available:

  • Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): This is mild sedative that helps patients relax, administered through a mask over the nose. It’s been used in dental settings for over 150 years.
  • Oral Sedatives: Oral conscious sedation in the form of pills taken before the appointment can have mild to moderate effects. These are less involved than other sedation options and are cheaper too. This is one of the dental sedation options offered by our dentist.
  • IV Sedation: This dental sedation method provides a deeper level of sedation through direct administration into the bloodstream using an IV. This method of sedation offered at our dental office is more expensive but extremely helpful for patients who have extreme anxiety or require undergoing a long procedure.
  • General Anesthesia: This sedation method puts patients in a deep sleep, suitable for extensive and invasive dental work. This is the most expensive method of sedation since it requires the presence of an anesthesiologist present to administer the anesthesia monitor the patient.

Addressing Common Concerns Patients Have:

Sedation dentistry solves many concerns that patients have when it comes to dentistry. Here are some common concerns and how sedation has helped patients with them:

  • Fear of Pain: Sedation dentistry ensures comfort and pain relief through appropriate anesthesia and sedative methods, significantly reducing or eliminating discomfort. Depending on the method used, patients may not even have any memory of the procedure.
  • Sedation Dentistry Safety: When administered by trained professionals, sedation dentistry is very safe, with continuous monitoring of the patient’s vitals. As a dentist that specializes in sedation dentistry Dr. Paul Mathew has years of experience with sedation dentistry, having performed the procedure successfully countless times.
  • Choosing the Right Type of Sedation: Dentists tailor sedation types based on the patient’s medical history and level of anxiety, ensuring the most comfortable experience. Dr. Mathew will communicate extensively with you to make sure you choose the right sedation for your needs.
  • Post-Procedure Considerations: Recovery time and post-procedure activities depend on the type of sedation used. Some, like anesthesia, require a companion for transportation, while others, like oral conscious sedation, allow for immediate return to daily activities. Dr. Mathew will discuss every detail with you to ensure you feel comfortable and confident.
  • Anxiety Management: Dental sedation specialists use other, non-medical, ways to make sure patients feel comfortable throughout their dental experience, from the moment you book the appointment, to when you first walk into the dental office, to the duration of the procedure.
  • Insurance Coverage: Coverage varies, so it’s essential to consult with your insurance provider about the specifics of sedation dentistry coverage. Our dental team will help you maximize your insurance coverage for your dental visit. Additionally, our dental office has a few companies we have partnered with in order to provide dental financing.

Sedation dentistry offers an effective solution for overcoming dental anxiety, ensuring that patients can receive the care they need in the comfortable and stress-free environment of our dental office. By understanding dental sedation options available to you and maintaining open communication with your dental team, you can transform your dental care experience. If you’ve been avoiding the dentist due to anxiety, consider calling our practice to discuss sedation dentistry.

Warranty

Our 5 Year Warranty

Anyone can train to be a technician, but few have the talent to become an artist. That’s why Dr. Mathew is able to guarantee his cosmetic dentistry work for a full 5 years. If anything goes wrong with the work, Dr. Mathew will fix it free of charge, as long as you continue with your regular 6 month preventative care cleaning and check up for the duration of the warranty.

Treatment Room

Individualized
Treatment Rooms

Our individualized treatment rooms and operatories provide patients with maximum privacy and comfort. The treatment rooms were built specifically with your comfort in mind.

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Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

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Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

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The information presented here is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should be used for informational purposes only.