As much as 15 percent of the population avoids seeing the dentist out of fear, putting their oral health at risk. If you have avoided dental care, Dr. Richard Weigand in Spokane, WA can help. As a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, he has dedicated more than 30 years to improving the smiles and lives of patients. Seeing that dental phobia affects so many patients, Dr. Weigand offers sedation dentistry to help everyone get the care they need.
Local Anesthetic
Local anesthetic is an injected numbing agent often used for fillings and general restorative procedures. Dr. Weigand administers local anesthetic with a revolutionary vibration technique. This method is virtually painless, employing vibrational energy to keep pain impulses from reaching the brain. This is because the same nerve receptor that sends pain signals to the brain becomes temporarily overexcited by vibration stimulus—thereby omitting any sensation of discomfort.
Oral Conscious Sedation
For patients with moderate to severe anxiety, Dr. Weigand will work with your Primary Care Physician to offer oral conscious sedation. This sedative allows patients to remain awake and relaxed during their dental treatment.
- Patients will be given a pill prior to the appointment, which will need to be taken an hour before the procedure.
- Once the sedative becomes effective, the patient may experience drowsiness and become disoriented during the appointment.
- Once the procedure is complete, a friend or family member will need to drive the patient home.
The effects of oral conscious sedation will last for several hours after the appointment, so it is important that patients do not drive or operate machinery during this time.
IV Sedation
Patients with extreme dental anxieties may benefit from IV sedation. With this form of sedation, a qualified anesthesia provider will administer the medication through an intravenous injection. As it enters the bloodstream, it takes effect quickly—usually within a few minutes. Patients will remain conscious and able to respond to commands during the procedure while feeling tranquil and in a deep state of relaxation.
The dosage of IV sedation can be adjusted during the appointment to ensure your continued comfort and well-being. As with the other forms of sedation, you will need someone to drive you home after your appointment.
General Anesthesia
For some patients, general anesthesia may be an ideal option. This is usually reserved for complex dental treatments or surgical procedures where a patient needs to remain still for an extended period of time. As part of this sedation method, patients will either inhale the sedative or be given intravenous medications to put them into an unconscious state.
Dr. Weigand, in combination with a qualified anesthesia provider, will ensure that you remain safe and comfortable throughout the procedure. All of your vital signs will be monitored, and you will be closely supervised for the duration of your treatment.
Benefits Of Sedation Dentistry
There are many benefits to sedation dentistry. Not only does it alleviate fear and anxiety, but it also allows more complex procedures to be done in a shorter period of time. Below, you will find some of the key benefits of sedation dentistry:
- A painless experience
- Anxiety-free
- Little or no memory of treatment
- Feel relaxed emotionally and physically
- Helps to overcome dental anxiety
- Helpful for active gag reflex, sensitive teeth, fear of needles, or fear of drilling
No matter your dental phobia or anxiety level, Dr. Weigand offers compassionate care with his sedation dentistry options. Contact the office today to discuss how he can help you get the dental treatment you need.