For many people, dental phobias are a very real fear that causes them to avoid seeking dental care altogether. This can eventually lead to serious dental problems that require extensive oral surgery to correct. Unfortunately, those who need dental care the most may be the ones who are most fearful of treatment in the first place. For these individuals, Sedation Dentistry may be the only option they are willing to consider. Dr. Warlick offers sedation dentistry to patients in Coweta, Wagoner, Haskell and the surrounding areas of Oklahoma.

Sedation Dentistry, or sleep dentistry, involves the use of relaxing medications to help patients relieve their anxiety. For those who have a fear of the dentist, sedation is sometimes a very necessary tool that will allow them to relax enough so that Dr. Warlick can perform the necessary work. These medications not only relieve anxiety, but in some cases, patients may not even recall any details of the procedure that was performed.

Nitrous Oxide is one of the more common drugs used in Sedation Dentistry. Known as “laughing gas,” it is administered by placing a hood over the patient’s nostrils, allowing them to breath in this substance while treatment is taking place. This drug has the added benefit of reducing pain, so it can be very effective for those who fear the dentist because they anticipate pain.

Oral Conscious Sedation may also be used instead of laughing gas whenever patients do not want to wear a mask during dental surgery. Oral medications tend to dull the senses so that sights, smells, and sounds are not as noticeable. This means a patient may not be as startled by the sound of whirring dental instruments. While this medication can help calm patients before a dental procedure, it normally requires them to have someone else drive them home from their appointment.