Are you in need of a dental procedure, but just the thought of seeing a dentist causes your heart to race? Dental anxiety and other struggles can lead to missed appointments and delayed treatments that can severely affect your oral health.

Dr. Timothy M. Kelly in Albuquerque, NM, offers sedation dentistry to put your anxiety at ease while maintaining your oral health.

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Dental Anxiety Has Many Potential Causes

Fear of the dentist is a common form of anxiety that can cause patients to postpone crucial dental cleanings or procedures for years. This can lead to cavities, gum disease, and other severe oral health issues.

Dental anxiety can occur for many different reasons. Your dental fear could stem from claustrophobia, embarrassment, or a strong gag reflex.

Instead of living with the long-term effects of dental anxiety, you can look forward to more tranquil visits — and that’s because of sedation.

The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry at our Albuquerque dental office allows our patients to be at ease throughout their entire dentistry procedure by:

Decreasing Anxiety
Our sedation measures will make you feel relaxed and at ease while still being aware of your surroundings. Often, sedation is paired with a local anesthetic to ensure you feel no pain during your procedure.

Reducing Chair Time
When our patients are relaxed, we can work faster. Especially when undergoing a more invasive procedure like dental implant surgery, sedation will help you stay still and relaxed throughout the entire appointment.

Alleviating Fear
After a pleasant dental experience with sedation, you will be able to form a trusting relationship with your dentist. This can help reduce your fear of future appointments and prevent you from postponing your procedures.

Opening Options
When you’re scared of the dentist, you may not be able to get the care you need. Thanks to sedation, you can enjoy restorative and general treatment to improve your health, as well as cosmetic care to improve your confidence

Beyond Anxiety:

Sedation Dentistry Can Help With Other Concerns a man in a dentist’s chair

Repetitive Motions
Do you have problems staying still? Patients who live with shaking, tremors, and other repetitive motions can find relaxation using sedation dentistry.

Gag Reflexes
Patients who struggle with a strong gag reflex can benefit from sedation dentistry. Sedation puts you in a state of deep relaxation so you will not have to deal with the severe discomfort caused by your usual gag reflex.

Sensory Struggles
Loud noises, the sensation of dental tools, and other sensory details can be overwhelming. With sedation, that unease can melt away into dependable tranquility.

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Choose From Two Types of Sedation

We offer two types of sedation: nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation. Both forms are safe, gentle, and highly effective.

Nitrous Oxide
Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a well-known and conservative sedation option that is delivered through a mask. Your body will respond quickly, and you will enter a state of deep relaxation or even mild euphoria. You may experience a tingling sensation in your limbs, be a bit more talkative, or a bit giggly — hence the name laughing gas — after receiving nitrous oxide. Once your treatment is complete, the medication will wear off quickly, and you will be able to drive home and perform the rest of your daily activities.

Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral sedation may be a good option if you have severe anxiety. Oral sedation is a pill prescribed by our dentist for you to take before your dental care. Typically, you will take one dose at home and another when you arrive for your dental appointment. Your dose will depend on your needs and the severity of your dental fear. While under oral sedation, you will be able to answer questions but will remain deeply relaxed. If you choose this form of sedation, you will need a friend or family member available to drive you to and from your dentistry appointment.

Wondering About Our Approach to Sedation Dentistry?

Dr. Kelly’s legacy of dedicated dentistry first began in 1981. He can meet you where you’re at, and guide you to a healthier, happier smile. How? By combining empathy, transparency, and dental sedation. If you’re ready for worry-free care in a patient and friendly atmosphere, we can help you plan your custom dental treatment.

The Advantages of Choosing Dr. Kelly for Your Sedation Treatment

Extensive Dental Options
Have you missed cleanings? Are you living with broken or decayed teeth? Do you wish you had a more beautiful smile? Because our Albuquerque practice provides comprehensive options, you can seek comfortable care for a variety of goals.

Patient Monitoring
When you visit Dr. Kelly, you can have complete peace of mind throughout your sedation dentistry use and your dental treatment. Our team will prioritize your safety during treatment by monitoring you closely.

Continuing Education
By keeping up with his education, Dr. Kelly can bring you consistently excellent care. For example, as a member of the Richard V. Tucker Gold Study Club, he continues to hone his knowledge of restorative dental matters.

Sedation Dentistry Can Save You Money by Enabling Good Oral Health

If your fear of the dentist has caused you to delay treatments or routine cleanings, we encourage you to learn about sedation with our Albuquerque dental office. Postponing treatments puts you at risk of developing serious oral health issues that require extensive and expensive dental care.

Though it’s rare for dental insurance to assist with the price of sedation, it may help to view this treatment as an investment in your health and happiness. If out-of-pocket costs are an obstacle, we also accept financing through LendingPoint™.

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Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

Rest assured, Dr. Kelly will make sure that you’re qualified for sedation by taking into account your health, medical conditions, and any medication taken. You may be a good candidate for sedation if your dental fear causes you to:

  • Have an elevated heart rate
  • Feel nauseous
  • Struggle to sleep before a visit
  • Postpone important dental cleanings or procedures

The Sedation Process

Wondering how the sedation process will go? Each of our Albuquerque, NM, patients can expect several steps:

“Through sedation dentistry, patients can achieve a healthy smile in a relaxed environment.”

Consultation
Before undergoing any sedation, you will meet with our dentist to discuss your medical history, dental care needs, and dental fears. You must be open with your dentist about current medications so he can determine which option will be the safest while still meeting your anxiety-relieving goals.

Choosing Sedation
It can be overwhelming trying to decide which sedation option is best for you and your dental anxiety, but you’re not alone. After thoroughly reviewing your dentistry needs at your consultation, our dentist will put together a treatment plan that includes the type and dose of sedation and the dental procedures that will create a healthy, beautiful smile.

Arranging Transportation
If Dr. Kelly decides oral sedation is the best option, you will need to have a friend or family member drive you to and from your appointment. Operating a vehicle after oral conscious sedation is unsafe for you and others on the road.

Follow Instructions
Generally, oral sedation must be taken at home and just before your dental appointment. You will need to follow Dr. Kelly’s instructions on when to take the pill and what to take it with to ensure its efficacy.

Relax
Whether you are receiving nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation, once you are at your dental appointment you can expect to be relaxed throughout your entire visit. And when you leave, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your teeth and gums are healthier than when you arrived.

Which Treatments Can Sedation Make Possible?

Get a Glimpse of Your Options

At long last, you can finally get excited about your smile. Some of the dental procedures that our Albuquerque team commonly combines with sedation include:

  • Braces
  • Cleanings and Exams
  • Dental Crowns
  • Dental Implants
  • Porcelain Veneers
  • Smile Makeover

Will I Need Sedation Every Time I Go to the Dentist?

As long as it is safe for you, you can use sedation during each of your visits.

However, one benefit of sedation that our patients don’t commonly anticipate is confidence. Our team helps them see the dentist as a safe and comfortable place, allowing them to finally feel at home. You may decide you don’t need sedation after a few appointments with our team.

“Most patients, once they come in and they’ve been treated a few times and they see what the process is like here at our office, they are more comfortable and then they don’t really need sedation any longer.”

-Dr. Kelly