If the word “sedation” makes you picture being unconscious in a hospital, set that aside. Sedation dentistry, as most patients experience it, is far gentler than the name suggests.
About half of Americans report some level of dental anxiety. For some people it is a mild reluctance. For others it has kept them out of a dental chair for years, while a small problem quietly became a large one. If that is you, this post is for you, and so is our practice.
The spectrum, in plain terms
Sedation is not one thing. It is a spectrum, and the right point on it depends on you.
At the lightest end, some patients need nothing more than a practice that takes their anxiety seriously: a calm room, a dentist who explains each step before it happens, and permission to raise a hand and pause at any time. That costs nothing and is available to every patient here.
From there, options increase in strength. Milder options leave you awake, relaxed, and able to drive yourself home afterward. Deeper options leave you drowsy and lightly aware, with little memory of the appointment, and require someone to drive you. What is appropriate depends on your health history, the procedure, and how your anxiety shows up.
Dr. Balaban is a member of DOCS, the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, and evaluating anxious patients is a normal part of his week, not an exception.
How the conversation starts
You do not need to decide anything before you arrive. Tell us one thing when you book: dental visits are hard for you. That single sentence changes how we plan your appointment.
At the consultation, the first appointment is a conversation, not a procedure. You will talk through your history, what has gone badly before, and which option fits. Many patients find that the conversation itself removes most of the dread.
If you have been away from the dentist for years, you will not be lectured about it. You will be welcomed back.
Smile Arts Dental sees patients from Carmel, Westfield, Zionsville, and the north side of Indianapolis. Call (317) 575-1995 or request an appointment online, and mention that you would like to talk about comfort options.
This article is for general education only and is not a substitute for professional dental advice. For guidance about your own smile, talk with your dentist.