For people with dental anxiety, even a basic dental cleaning and exam can be difficult. If you need restorative dentistry, that anxiety can feel much more severe.
You also should know that it’s OK to feel how you feel. It can help to find a dental practice that offers sedation dentistry and a team of compassionate dental professionals. You can find both of those things at the office of Mark W. Wilhelm, DMD, MSD.
Keep reading to learn more. Then call our office in Woodbury, MN at [phone] if you have more questions or to make an appointment with us.
The Benefits Of Sedation
Based on our experience, people usually have a reason they feel anxiety about going to the dentist. Fear that a treatment will be painful and concerns about gagging are things we have heard from multiple patients.
The good news is that dental sedation can help with both of those issues as well as other concerns. Sedation can keep you calm and relaxed, prevent pain and gagging, and allow you to complete a complex treatment in as few visits as possible. Often this means just one appointment for a procedure.
At Dr. Wilhelm’s office, you also have a choice of multiple sedation options:
- Inhaled Sedation — Also known as laughing gas, this is a quick and effective option. All you need to do is breathe, and this kind of sedation takes effect in a matter of minutes. Typically, this is a good option for people with mild dental anxiety.
- Oral Sedation — If you have moderate anxiety, this may be a better choice. Oral sedation starts when you take a dose of medication prior to your appointment. It’s best to have someone else drive you to and from your appointment since this kind of sedation lasts longer than inhaled sedation.
- IV Sedation — For patients with severe dental anxiety, this sedation takes effect fast and can be adjusted as needed during longer procedures. As with oral sedation, you should arrange for someone else to take you home.
- General Anesthesia — This is the strongest sedation option we provide. This will allow us to complete the most complex treatments without you feeling anything. These effects can last for hours after you are finished, so plan to get a ride with a friend or family member afterward.
Choose Expert Care
If you need restorative treatments, your best bet is someone with expertise in this aspect of dental care. As a prosthodontist, this is what Dr. Wilhelm is trained to do.
Prosthodontics is a dental specialty recognized by the American Dental Association. This is the part of dentistry that focuses on repairing and restoring the full function of your teeth. With the additional training (and years of experience) in this kind of dental work, you can feel confident about the results of your care at our office.
Talk To Us
If you are in need of advanced restorative care, but your dental anxiety makes you hesitant to make an appointment. Talk to our team at Dr. Wilhelm’s office. Learn how we prioritize your comfort as we rebuild your smile.
Call (651) 227-2427 or contact us online.
