Sedation Dentistry – Collierville, TN 

Does the idea of sitting in the dental chair send a shiver of fear down your spine? Have you ever put off getting the dental work you need because of anxiety or nervousness? If so, you’re not alone. As many as 60% of Americans suffer from dental anxiety. Your sedation dentist in Collierville, Dr. Joshua Holcomb, offers both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation to help you relax enough to get the care you deserve. If you’ve been putting off getting needed dental work, give us a call and let us know you’re interested in sedation dentistry.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

If you have ever experienced nervousness or anxiety at the thought of sitting in the dental chair, then you are the type of person for whom sedation dentistry was created. However, it’s not only for those with a fear of the dentist. Sedation can be used for patients who have a low pain threshold, sensitive teeth or gag reflex, or who need an extensive amount of dental work done in one appointment. It can also be employed for uncooperative children, those with special needs, or those who just have a hard time sitting still long enough to get their required dental work done.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Nitrous oxide is more commonly known as laughing gas because of the euphoric feeling it produces that sometimes results in a bout of giggles. It’s completely safe for patients of all ages. After you have gotten comfortable in our dental chair, we’ll attach a mask to your nose through which you will breathe this colorless, odorless gas. You should feel more content and calmer after just a few minutes of breathing it in. Once the procedure is over, we’ll remove the mask and the effects of the gas should start wearing off almost immediately. We’ve found that many patients are able to resume their days as normal after receiving nitrous oxide sedation.

Oral Conscious Sedation

For patients with more severe dental anxiety, oral conscious sedation should do the trick. This method of sedation features a prescribed oral medication, usually in the form of a pill, that will send waves of relaxation running through you for the remainder of the day. You will be instructed to take this pill about an hour or so before your visit. Since it will take effect before you reach our Collierville office, you’ll need a ride to and from your appointment. During your procedure, you’ll be awake, but just barely. Most patients who undergo oral conscious sedation don’t even remember their procedures!