Centre for Distinctive Dentistry Blog - Dr. Ned Nippoldt

It always surprises me when my receptionist tells me a new patient called to make an appointment but he/she is embarrassed because they have avoided seeing a dentist for years due to fear and they are concerned that their mouth is "a mess." We always reassure these patients that they are welcome and shouldn't be embarrassed. After all, we see patients every day who have put off dental care for any number of reasons, and we commend them for taking the initiative to get started on their journey back to improved dental health. I promise, we are never judgemental. We're here to help you.

If fear is what has been keeping you from the dental office, we have a wonderful solution that has helped many patients get the dentistry they need and want: IV Sedation.

IV sedation is a safe, controlled method of delivering medication through an IV line that's been placed in your arm or hand. I prefer using IV sedation over using oral sedation (a pill), because with IV sedation there is much more control over the level of sedation achieved for each individual patient. The IV sedation dentist continually monitors the patient and incrementally administers the sedation medications so that the appropriate amount necessary to keep you comfortable is used.

You are an exellent candidate for IVsedation if:

• You delay or avoid dental treatment because of fear.




• You can't bear the sounds or smells of a dental office.




• You have had an unfavorable dental experience in the past.




• You have trouble getting numb and find dental treatment to be very painful.




• You have trouble remaining still during a dental appointment.




• You have trouble getting comfortable at the dental office.




• Your teeth are extremely sensitive.




• You fear shots and needles.




• You gag when having dentistry completed.




• You are embarrassed about you teeth and smile.

In my office, we use a dentist with advanced training in sedation dentistry who concentrates on keeping the patient sedated at a safe level of deep relaxation. This allows me to concentrate on delivering the dentistry the patient wants and needs. With IV sedation, you can be assured your sedation experience will be relaxed and comfortable. When patients wake up after their dental appointment, most find they have little or no memory of dental procedures being done.

Before deciding you want sedation dentistry, it is important to discuss your fears with the dentist. In some cases, we find that patients can complete dentistry without sedation by taking everything at a little slower pace and using services such as television or movies for distraction; warm towels, blankets, and paraffin hand wax for relaxation; and nitrous oxide to take the edge off. Oftentimes, our patients find that after they've had some of their dentistry completed using IV Sedation, they are more relaxed about the whole dental experience and are able to complete future appointments without IV Sedation.

If you are interested in IV Sedation and live in the Woodbury, St. Paul, Minneapolis, MN, or Hudson, WI, areas, please give The Centre for Distinctive Dentistry-Ned A. Nippoldt, DDS, PA, a call at 651-739-8573 and we'll be happy to schedule an appointment for you.

Labels: Dental Fear, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry, IV Sedation, Sedation Dentistry