(409) 935-2111How We Help Those with Anxiety
Many people have significant anxiety about dental treatment. You may be one of these folks or maybe you just have some anxiety about upcoming treatment. You will be glad to know that we have many levels of relief for those folks who experience a level of anxiety that makes them uncomfortable with treatment.
Anti-anxiety pill (Anxiolysis)—You take an anti-anxiety pill the night before and the morning of your treatment. You will have to have a driver to take you to and from the office and a morning appointment. This is a simple way to take the edge off. This can often be combined with NuCalm or nitrous oxide for greater relaxation.
25
NuCalm—NuCalm is a new non-drug way to help relieve anxiety. It is designed to place you in an alpha brain wave relaxed state—the relaxed state you are in right before you fall asleep. You chew a couple of tablets of neurotransmitters, and then relax with music and dark glasses while you are waiting for us to begin. After treatment there are no restrictions and you can drive yourself home.
50
Nitrous oxide—Nitrous oxide is a gas you breathe that will help take the edge off your anxiety. You may feel a little floaty and relaxed. This can be combined with anxiolysis in some cases for a deeper relaxation. Caution: some people do not find a great effect with nitrous oxide alone and some folks find they don’t like the way it makes them feel, but nitrous oxide is a safe tool to help fight anxiety.
70
Oral Conscious sedation (OCS)—involves the use of short acting medications to put you in a more relaxed state. These medications are given in the office 30 to 45 minutes before the start of treatment. You will have to have an adult accompany you to the office and remain here during your treatment as well as drive you home and stay with you until the effects of the drugs have run their course. Nitrous oxide gas is often used in conjunction with OCS to make you more relaxed.
350 to 450
IV sedation—IV sedation is for those individuals who are very anxious about treatment. While some doctors administer IV sedation and also perform the treatment, I do not choose to do this for the same reasons that in hospital surgeons have an attending anesthesiologist manage the anesthesia while they do the surgery. We do, however, have dental anesthesiologists who can provide this service for you right in our office. This has to be scheduled ahead of time, and you pay the anesthesiologist directly at the time of service.
750 to 1500