Sedation Dentistry in Lake Charles, LA
Ensure Optimal Comfort with Sedation Dentistry
Many patients experience dental phobia and anxiety, which prevent them from seeking out the vital care they need. To put your mind at ease and ensure your comfort, Drs. Edward J. Herbert and Scott M. Hannaman provide sedation dentistry at their Lake Charles, LA, office. We offer both nitrous oxide and oral sedation, and can tailor your treatment to your unique needs and preferences. These options can create a more peaceful environment during treatment, especially for patients who have difficulty sitting still or have a lower tolerance for pain. During your consultation, our team can review your medical history and your treatment goals, before recommending the most appropriate form of sedation.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry involves administering medication to create a more comfortable experience for our patients. It is ideal for patients who:
- Have difficulty sitting still
- Are undergoing multiple procedures simultaneously
- Struggle with dental anxiety or phobia
- Have dental sensitivity or a low pain tolerance
- Have had a traumatic dental experience in the past
Debilitating dental anxiety and phobia prevent approximately 40 million U.S. patients each year from undergoing the dental treatment they need. This impacts patients' overall oral health and wellness, and can result in more serious dental conditions such as gum disease and tooth loss. To put our patients at ease, we offer nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation. As these forms of sedation do not eliminate pain, we often administer a local anesthetic in conjunction, to numb the treatment area.
Nitrous Oxide
This type of sedation, also known as “laughing gas,” is inhaled via a mask placed over the nose. It produces a steady state of relaxation, and your doctor can easily alter the concentration of sedation for optimal comfort. Nitrous oxide is safe for adults and children, and its effects wear off quickly after treatment. As a result, this is the only form of sedation in which you can drive yourself to and from your procedure.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is administered orally with a prescription medication, such as Valium or Halcion. We may recommend taking the pill either the night before, morning of, or one hour prior to your procedure. Your directions will depend upon the strength of your medication and your level of anxiety. Oral sedatives can also be combined with nitrous oxide for stronger sedation.
Sedation can put your mind at ease and create a more peaceful environment during treatment, especially for patients who have difficulty sitting still or have a lower tolerance for pain.
Oral sedatives can help you achieve a sense of calm and relaxation. However, your doctors will be able to communicate with you throughout your procedure. In most cases, you will have little to no memory of treatment once it is complete. The effects of oral sedatives can last for several hours, so you will need to have someone available to drive you to and from your appointment.
Learn More About Sedation Dentistry in 70605
Our goal is to help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health, while providing a warm and welcoming environment. Our team is dedicated to your comfort, and can tailor your treatment to your unique needs. To learn more about our sedation dentistry options or to schedule a consultation, contact our practice online or call us at (337) 474-4892.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental anxiety is a widespread problem that prevents millions of people from seeking the dental treatments they need to maintain a healthy, problem-free smile. The result is poorer oral health and a succession of issues like cavities, gum disease, and worn or broken teeth.
Sedation Dentistry in Lake Charles, LA
For many of our patients, nitrous oxide at our Lake Charles, LA dental office is the solution they need to move past their anxiety and finally get the care they need. Nitrous oxide or "laughing gas" is a calming gas that we mix with oxygen and have you inhale through a comfortable nasal mask. As you breathe it in, you will start to feel very relaxed, calm, and happy, but you will remain fully conscious throughout your procedure.
Our dentists and clinical team members are trained and licensed to administer nitrous oxide safely, and someone will monitor you throughout your appointment. If you require a little more relaxation, just let us know, and we can increase the nitrous mix to ensure your complete comfort.
When our dentist in Lake Charles completes your procedure, we will stop the flow of nitrous and have you inhale pure oxygen for several moments. The advantage of using nitrous oxide is that it does not produce any drowsy after-effects, so you can safely drive yourself home from your appointment and go on with your day feeling alert and refreshed.
We're also pleased to offer oral conscious sedation dentistry for our Lake Charles, LA patients who require a little more profound relaxation so they can get the care they need.
It depends on the type of treatment you receive.
For some dental procedures, sedation is necessary. For many others, however, we can complete your treatment without sedation. Usually, the more involved your dental procedure is, the more likely you will need sedation. Quick, simple treatments like professional teeth whitening and dental bonding do not require sedation, whereas procedures such as root canals or placing dental implants will.
Sedation Dentistry At Our 70605 Dentist Office
Dr. Hannaman and Dr. Hebert provide nitrous and pharmacological anxiolysis if needed. We do not offer intravenous (IV) sedation.
When you visit our Lake Charles dentists, they work hard to keep you comfortable, relaxed, and at ease. We created our dental practice with the comfort of our patients in mind and will always do anything we can to make your dental visit more comfortable. Our goal is to eliminate dental sedation whenever possible. However, if you have a very low pain tolerance or are anxious about your dental treatment, you can always request sedation to help you relax.
Call Scott M. Hannaman, DDS To Learn More
We understand if you still have questions or concerns about your dental treatment. Our dental staff can provide answers to your questions about sedation dentistry in Lake Charles whenever you contact our dental office. Give us a call at (337) 474-4892 during our regular business hours Monday through Friday.
We look forward to speaking with you and helping put your mind at ease!
Meet Our Doctors:
Dr. Scott Hannaman
Dr. Hannaman, a native of Baton Rouge, has been in dental practice in Lake Charles since 2011. A graduate of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the ...
Dr. Edward Hebert
Dr. Hebert has been in dental practice in Lake Charles, Louisiana since 1984. A graduate of McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Department of Biology ...
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Our team at Scott M. Hannaman, DDS, wants to ensure your dental visits are pleasant, stress-free, and comfortable. We understand many people of all ages experience dental fear and anxiety, which is why we’re delighted to offer sedation dentistry, including nitrous oxide, in Lake Charles, LA.
The dentists at Scott M. Hannaman, DDS, are highly skilled and experienced in sedation dentistry and use modern technology and dentistry techniques to enhance patient comfort and provide exceptional outcomes.
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How We Can Help Prevent Your Dental Anxiety
If you’ve experienced anxiety about visiting your dentist’s office, you are not alone. Many of us get nervous at the thought of sitting in a dental chair. In fact, millions of Americans have some form of dental anxiety. However, there are ways to help prevent dental anxiety, and we are here to help you have a comfortable, stress-free dental experience.
To help you overcome your anxiety when visiting our office, we provide a welcoming, friendly environment where we hope you will feel safe and secure. We offer sedation dentistry options.