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Overcoming Dental Phobia with Ease: Exploring Sedation Dentistry at Smith Dental Care

Overcoming dental phobia with sedation dentistry at Smith Dental Care.

Dental anxiety is a pretty common issue. According to the Cleveland Clinic, approximately 36% of people experience dental phobia, making them anxious about receiving needed treatment. About 12% of those people are said to have an extreme fear. This dental phobia makes it challenging for the patient to come to the dentist. While most dentists will do their best to make the patient feel at ease, it’s still hard to do so and ensure they get the care they need.

Thankfully, there are tools available for overcoming dental phobia and getting dental care. The most common solution is sedation dentistry, which we proudly offer here at Smith Dental Care.

As with any phobia, dental phobia is an uncontrollable and persistent fear of going to the dentist. It may seem irrational to others, but to the person experiencing the anxiety, it is very real. Those with dental phobia may experience anything from mild anxiety to crippling fear that prevents them from seeking care.

What is Dental Phobia?

They may fear different aspects of the dental visit, including just sitting in the chair. Some worry about pain, needles and drills, not being in control, or just not knowing what to expect. It may come from a traumatic experience, or it may not be based on any prior encounter.

How Dental Phobia Affects Dental Care

Those who do experience dental phobia often put off their dental care because of the anxiety. Some will not go to the dentist until they have an emergent situation, and others may struggle with every visit. The inability to maintain proper oral health can lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and other dental issues.

Leaving dental needs untreated can contribute to a host of other health issues as well, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Dental care is critical.

Overcoming Dental Phobia with Sedation Dentistry

One of the best ways to make a customer feel more at ease while they visit the dentist is with sedation dentistry. With the options available, a patient can prepare for the visit and remain calm throughout any cleaning or procedure that is needed. It also helps to use a dentist’s office that makes you feel comfortable to the best of their ability. When you combine sedation solutions with optimal care and treatment, you get wonderful results.

The most commonly used forms of sedation are as follows:

Nitrous oxide: also known as laughing gas, this is the most common sedation choice. It’s breathed in through a mask on your nose and will make you feel relaxed and euphoric. The sedation wears off almost immediately when the mask is removed.
Oral sedation: take an oral medication prior to coming to the office so that you feel relaxed and calm before you even come in. This may help calm you enough to get to the office. Some medications may cause drowsiness and grogginess.
IV sedation: the other option is IV sedation, which enters your bloodstream directly through an IV. It’s a heavy sedation that may even make you fall asleep. It is controlled throughout the entire process, and it works quickly. You may feel some lasting effects after an IV as well.

Sedation dentistry allows the patient to get the care they need and provides the dentist with the solutions to help you get taken care of.

Let Smith Dental Care Work with You Through Dental Anxiety

Overcoming dental phobia can certainly be challenging, but know that you are not alone. There are solutions for you to get the dental care you need and feel safe and relaxed while you do.

Let Smith Dental Care help you through it. With our sedation dentistry solutions and an office that truly cares about making our patients feel comfortable, we can help you find the best solution. Contact us today to learn more!

Making East Texas Smile: Free Dental Day at Smith Dental Care February 17th!

Free Dental Day is a national phenomenon in which many dental offices are participating. It’s a small way to give back to the community and provide people who may not otherwise get dental care with free dental services.

Mark your calendars for Free Dental Day at Smith Dental Care on February 17th! We are committed to helping East Texas smile, and we hope those in need can check out these services and get the dental care they deserve!

What Is Free Dental Day?

Throughout the United States, thousands of dentist offices are joining a movement to provide free dental care for a day. Different offices can choose their date for free care, or they can join a national movement to focus on a specific day.

On this day, people who need access to dental services can visit the office and get free, high-quality dental services. The goal is simply to make dental care more accessible for everyone and ensure more people can enjoy healthy, happy smiles.

Each year, millions of dollars worth of services are donated on free service days across the country. Thousands of patients get the care that they desperately need or simply cannot afford. It is our hope that we can give back to the community of East Texas in some small way with our upcoming Free Dental Day on February 17th.

Why Free Dental Day Is So Important

With the rise in costs for insurance and services, many people don’t maintain dental insurance on a regular basis. More than 75 million adults in the United States have no dental insurance coverage. This means that 75+ million people don’t get routine dental care, cleaning, and other important services.

It doesn’t mean those people don’t need dental care; it simply means they likely cannot afford it. Due to the gap in coverage, they neglect dental cleanings and visits to avoid the out-of-pocket costs. This can lead to many potential issues:

Cavities
Tooth decay
Tooth loss
Misalignment
Periodontal disease
Gum disease

When dental care is neglected for too long, it could potentially lead to more extensive and more expensive work needing to be done. And yet, many people will put that off as well because they don’t have the coverage to help with the expenses.

Without proper dental care, people often struggle with confidence or shame. They want their smile to be healthy, but they simply don’t have the resources to make it happen. That’s where we come in!

The Value of Quality Dental Care

Realistically, you should see a dentist at least once a year for routine cleanings. The industry recommendation is to get a cleaning every six months. These cleanings are not just to improve your pearly whites; it’s also to check your teeth and your mouth and be proactive with any potential issues.

If you have cavities, misalignment, or other concerns, the dentist can address those concerns with you and help provide services to correct them. Being proactive with dental care manages your dental health but also could impact your overall health as well.

Did you know that proper dental care can help to reduce the risks of heart disease related to periodontal disease, diabetes, oral cancer, and kidney disease in some cases? Of course, dental care will not always prevent these things, but it can make a difference.

A free day to get dental care also contributes to helping improve and protect your overall health.

Experience Free Dental Care with Us on February 17th!

We are passionate about taking care of smiles within our community. We hope that you will come to see us for your dental care needs on February 17th. We look forward to serving as many people as possible on this day with free dental care.

Share the date with friends, mark your calendars, and prepare to wow the world with your smile. Contact us today at Smith Dental Care with questions about services, or just show up that day to get the help you need!

Transform Your Smile with Sedation Dentistry: The Art of Full Mouth Restoration at Smith Dental Care

Transform your smile with full mouth restoration using sedation dentistry at Smith Dental Care.

Planning for extensive dental work can be scary. When it comes to full mouth restoration, you know that you are undergoing major work. It requires a little bit of bravery, but the good news is that there are also tools to help you make it through it without as much fear and anxiety

Dental office technology has improved through the years, and with sedation dentistry, you can be comfortable throughout your entire procedure. Trust the dental staff to take great care of you while keeping you comfortable throughout the process. Whether you have multiple dental issues that need to be handled or you scheduled full mouth restoration to create a stunning smile, you’ll be taken care of

Full Mouth Restoration

The idea of full mouth restoration is taking a mouth that needs total rehabilitation for whatever reason and perfecting the smile. These are major procedures that require comprehensive dental care to accomplish the desired results. From damaged and missing teeth to handling the aesthetics of your smile, there are many details involved in the process

Not every restoration process is the same. We all have different stories to tell, and your oral health challenges are unique to you. The dental office can use sedation and full mouth restoration planning to address multiple needs at one time

We create a comprehensive solution designed to help you achieve positive oral health, a healthy smile, and a plan that meets your needs. With a holistic approach, we can help you attain the results you desire

Full Mouth Restoration Is a Personalized Solution

At Smith Dental Care, we tailor big projects like this to your needs and your wants. It’s a very personal process, and many times there are emotions running rampant on top of the desire for an improved smile. We work closely with you to ensure we can help you meet your treatment goals

Every full mouth restoration starts with a consultation and evaluation. This allows us to get to know you. It also gives you a chance to get comfortable with us before the work begins. We will complete a thorough examination, take impressions, X-rays, and digital imaging, and start planning. This exam allows us to assess the current conditions of your teeth and oral health so we can make a plan for the rehabilitation process

Once we assess and understand, we can start planning treatment that is based on your needs and your desired outcome

Full mouth restoration isn’t always just a single step. Depending on the need, it may require multiple steps or procedures. Most restoration projects include a combination of cosmetic, restorative, and periodontal procedures to complete

A Look at Various Restoration Approaches

There are different concepts used for varying needs. Let’s take a closer look at a few of them

Dental Implants – these can replace missing or pulled teeth, providing a permanent replacement that allows your teeth to function as normal and look great in the process
Porcelain Veneers – veneers help to correct imperfections in aesthetic appearance, such as discoloration, chips, cracks, and other issues
Dental Crowns and Bridges – Provide a repair method for damaged teeth without a complete replacement or overhaul. These restore strength as well as function for the involved teeth
Gum Disease – Treatment is personalized to consider things like gum inflammation, infection, and recession. Protocols will vary depending on your situation
Orthodontics – Treatment with the use of braces or invisible alignment devices to help correct misalignment and bite settings
TMJ Treatment – Helps to alleviate pain or dysfunction associated with TMJ

The Role of Sedation Dentistry in Full Mouth Restoration

When you undergo full mouth restoration, sedation dentistry provides a resource to keep you calm during the process. Most procedures can be completed while you are sedated

There are different types of sedation available. These are the kinds we use:

Intravenous (IV) – sedates through an IV with an anesthesiologist. This provides the deepest possible relaxation by putting you to sleep during the procedure
Oral Sedation – sedation through a pill that will help to relax you but does not completely sedate you. Don’t be surprised if you fall asleep just because you are so relaxed
Nitrous Oxide – this is one of the most commonly used sedation methods in dental offices. It’s also known as laughing gas. This is administered through a nasal mask that calms you and makes you happy during your appointment

Work with Smith Dental Care for Full Mouth Restoration

From high-anxiety patients to full reconstruction and major procedures, we provide sedation dentistry to help you stay calm and relaxed through it all. At Smith Dental Care, we provide a wide array of reconstruction services, perfectly tailored to meet your smile needs

Welcome To Our Blog

Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog. Please check back often for weekly updates on fun and exciting events happening at our office, important and interesting information about orthodontics and the dental industry, and the latest news about our practice.

Feel free to leave a comment or question for our doctors and staff – we hope this will be a valuable resource for our patients, their families, and friends!

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