
and Kevin G. Murphy & Associates
Do you experience intense anxiety or nervousness at the thought of visiting the dentist for a checkup and cleaning or treatment? You’re not the only person who experiences this. In fact, it’s an issue that keeps many patients from receiving the care they need to optimize their oral health and prevent problems from getting worse. To make each of your visits more comfortable, we offer several different methods of sedation dentistry in Baltimore, MD.
If you suffer from mild anxiety or nervousness at the thought of visiting the dentist, have a strong gag reflex that makes it uncomfortable to receive treatment, or simply have a difficult time sitting comfortably in the dental chair, nitrous oxide sedation is a great option for you. When you arrive, we’ll place a small mask over your nose that will allow you to breathe in the sedation. Within minutes, you’ll feel relaxed and at-ease. As soon as we remove the mask, the effects will begin to wear off and you’ll be able to go on with your day.
For our patients who suffer from more severe dental phobias, we also offer oral conscious sedation. Before your appointment, we’ll prescribe you a pill that you’ll take about an hour prior to your visit. That way, when you walk through the door, you’ll feel calm and at-ease instead of on-edge like you normally would. It’s important to remember to have a trusted family member available to drop you off and pick you up from your appointment because the effects of this form of sedation linger.
IV sedation is a great option for patients who have very severe dental anxiety or are undergoing long, invasive treatments, like wisdom teeth extractions. With this method, we’ll flow the sedation directly into your bloodstream so it’s fast-acting. Although you won’t remember your treatment, you’ll remain conscious the entire time and be able to respond to our requests or questions. One of our professionals will also monitor your vitals throughout the process.