Sedation Dentistry
Four percent of United States residents suffer from dental phobias, meaning just as many people have a major fear of the dentist as there are people who fear snakes and heights. That is a lot of people afraid of a visit to the dentist. Even worse, many people with fear of dentistry (around ten percent of those with dental phobia) will actually avoid a visit to a general dentist because of it. This can allow their oral health to decline, and for a long list of other problems to occur. From tooth decay and gum disease to the loss of teeth, fear of a visit to the dentist is costly.
This is precisely the reason that Dr. Dennis Norkiewicz and Dr. Henry Konigsberg offer sedation dentistry to patients of L’Enfant Plaza Dental Arts. The doctors and their team of dental care professionals at their Washington, DC office, strive to offer painless, advanced general dentistry. They cultivate a relaxed and friendly environment, and count on sedation dentistry to help those with dental fear to overcome the issue.
Of course sedation dentistry is not only for those too tense or nervous to pay a visit. The option for sedation dentistry helps to guarantee that many, traditionally, uncomfortable treatments cause little to no discomfort at all. Even standard, preventative and general dentistry treatments can be done with sedation dentistry if desired.
Who Is a Candidate?
Does the idea of a standard dental cleaning and exam make you feel a bit fearful? Maybe the idea of a filling causes you a lot of anxiety or dread? If so, at L’Enfant Plaza Dental Arts the entire team is ready to help you with your fears by discussing your options for sedation treatments. They use only oral sedation, meaning you are fully conscious, though usually a bit drowsy, and will feel completely calm.
Take Care of Oral Health with Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry can be used for general dentistry treatments, certain cosmetic dentistry treatments, restorative dentistry, and more. For example, patients undergoing oral surgery may request sedation options, but so can the patient undergoing routine cleanings or exams.
It is important that you express any concerns you might have about dental care in order to allow the dental team to give you the sort of comfort you require. Oral sedation is best done prior to the visit, meaning you will need someone to drive you to and from the appointment. Although you may feel as if you are awake, oral sedation can be deceiving and many patients are so relaxed by the single prescription treatment that they even nod off during their visit. This makes it unsafe to drive once you have taken the oral sedation treatment.
Your comfort is a top priority, and if anxiety, dental phobia, or fear of pain or discomfort is keeping you from enjoying the best dental health possible, don’t hesitate to get in touch and speak with the team at L’Enfant Plaza Dental Arts about your concerns. Simply call 202-488-8300 or use the online contact form and one of their friendly and knowledgeable staff will answer all your dental sedation questions and give you facts about the treatment.