Tucson Sedation Dentist
Dr. Steinberg offers sedation dentistry to make you more comfortable during your visits to our office. One advantage of sedation is it helps you tolerate long appointments. Another is that extractions and implant placements are easier with sedation. But the most common reason patients request sedation is dental anxiety.
Sedation Dentistry for Anxiety
Some reasons people fear the dentist are:
- A bad experience—particularly if a previous dentist didn’t take you seriously when you were in pain
- Fear of vulnerability
- Very sensitive teeth or a strong gag reflex
- Fear of needles
- Having a need for extensive work
Dr. Steinberg has great compassion for his fearful patients and enjoys helping them become more comfortable with their dental appointments. From the moment you walk in the door, our staff will treat you with warmth and kindness. After a while, you’ll learn to expect a pleasant experience when you visit our office. That’s why some patients need less sedation over time.
We understand dental anxiety and realize that it often comes from earlier traumatic dental experiences and isn’t your fault. We understand that, because of your anxiety, it may have been a long time since you’ve been to the dentist. We’ll never lecture you, and just want you to feel safe and welcome with us. We will always respect your wishes and can pause or stop treatment whenever you need to.
Types of Sedation
We offer both oral and IV sedation. The choice depends on your needs, your preferences, and the kind of procedure you’re having. While sedated, you’ll still be able to breathe on your own and respond to us when we talk to you. We’ll monitor your vitals for safety.
Some patients can’t get numb with local anesthetic alone. However, combining local anesthetic with a sedative can transform a tense appointment into a relaxing one you may not even remember. And once you’re sedated, you probably won’t feel the anesthetic injection.
Oral Sedation
You’ll take a pill about an hour before your appointment for oral conscious sedation. That means that you’ll be sleepy and need someone to bring you to our office and take you back home. After you’ve rested for a few hours, the effects of the sedative will wear off, and you can continue with your day.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is stronger than oral sedation. If you’re especially anxious, you may want this option. IV sedation is time-tested and safe. A certified nurse anesthetist will administer the sedative and monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen level throughout the procedure. You will be sleepy after your appointment and will need someone to take you home. With both oral and IV sedation, you will remember little to none of your dental work.
To learn more about sedation dentistry and anxiety-free dental care, call us at (520)-886-3030. We can schedule you for a brief complimentary visit with Dr. Steinberg so he can answer your questions. You may also fill out our appointment request form, and we will call you.
