Experience Relaxation and Comfort with Sedation Dentistry in Fairfax
Your comfort and peace of mind is our top concern. If you feel anxious or fearful about dental visits, or if you need several procedures performed in a short timeframe, sedation dentistry may be your best option. With oral sedation, you will receive the treatment you need while under the relaxing effects of sedation medication. Oral sedation can be a life-changing experience if you are one of the many millions who avoid dental treatment out of fear. With sedation, you will remember very little, or nothing at all, about your procedure. Among the most common phobias, visiting the dentist causes many people severe anxiety and stress. Often, fearful patients forgo necessary dental care to avoid a visit to their dentist. Dr. Bassiri will take every precaution to ensure that any treatment you receive from us is entirely safe, comfortable, relaxing, and rewarding.
What Are Your Sedation Dentistry Options?
Dr. Bassiri is highly trained and experienced in sedation dentistry, which enables him to evaluate patients and determine the best sedation option for each unique situation. We offer the following for patient comforts:
- Oral Sedation (various levels)
- Nitrous Oxide
- General Anesthesia (administered and monitored by board-certified anesthesiologist)
- Patient Comfort Extras (including blankets and headphones)
Oral Sedation: Taking Fear Out of Dentistry
What exactly does oral sedation entail? Oral sedation alleviates anxiety, so you can face dental appointments with confidence. If you fear dental appointments, call our Fairfax dental office to determine if oral sedation is available for you based on your medical history and current medications. If you’re a good candidate for oral sedation, the dentist will select an appropriate anti-anxiety or sedative drug for you to take at a pre-determined time before your appointment. These safe, widely-prescribed drugs diminish anxiety and help patients relax.
Why Choose Oral Sedation?
In general, patients choose oral sedation if they:
- experience severe anxiety and fear when faced with dental instruments
- put off important dental treatment because of fear
- have a sensitive gag reflex
- have trouble feeling numb after receiving local anesthetic
- cannot rest comfortably in a dentist’s exam chair due to neck or back problems
How Will Oral Sedation Medication Affect Me?
Your decreased anxiety level will help the dentist determine dosage, which in turn determines your consciousness level during the appointment. Some patients become so relaxed they drift off into a restful sleep during their dental procedures. Throughout your appointment, we will closely monitor your vital signs to ensure your safety. When you choose oral sedation, you must have a responsible adult who can drive you to and from your appointment and spend some time with you after the appointment until the sedative wears off completely.
What Risks or Side Effects Are Associated With Oral Sedation?
The anti-anxiety medications used to achieve oral sedation have been prescribed and studied for years, so potential side effects are widely documented. These drugs are generally safe for most patients and have a low incidence of side effects, which tend to be minor. Typically, patients who receive oral sedation experience:
- Retrograde amnesia, in which they recall little to nothing about the dental procedure
- Decreased post-operative soreness
- Dry mouth
- A very small percentage of patients may temporarily have hiccups after using oral sedation drugs
Fairfax and Gainesville Sedation Appointments
If you need an experienced oral sedation dentist contact Dr. Bassiri to schedule your appointment today. Our comfortable and welcoming dental offices proudly serve patients daily throughout the Fairfax McLean area in Northern Virginia, the greater Washington DC Metro area, and the surrounding communities.