Sedation Dentistry

We Can Help those with Any Level of Dental Anxiety

As many as 40 million people avoid going to the dentist from anxiety or fear. Skipping appointments puts the health of the smile at risk, as routine appointments help to remove harmful plaque and tartar from the teeth and address any concerns before they get worse. If treatment has been put off for some time, more extensive work may be needed, causing additional concern. Because we believe every patient deserves to get the dental care they need, at Traverse Dental we offer different levels of sedation for each level of anxiety, and is available for most of our treatments. Dental fear and anxiety may stem from any of the following:

• A Negative Past Experience
• Fear of the Dental Drill
• Fear of Needles
• Fear of Pain or the Unknown
• Anxiety from Feeling Out of Control

Dr. Joshua Van Horn Decribes the Relaxing Sedation Experience

Types of Sedation

• Oral – This option does not require the use of any needles. The patient simply takes a small pill by mouth about an hour prior to their appointment. This allows a companion to bring the patient to the office, where they arrive calm and comfortable.
• Nitrous Oxide – The most frequently utilized form of sedation, nitrous oxide is also known as “laughing gas,” and helps the patient slip into a euphoric feeling that neutralizes pain signals. This safe and effective option allows the patient to return to normal within minutes.
• IV – Intravenous Sedation is an ideal solution for patients who experience moderate to severe dental anxiety. While under IV sedation, the patient is left sleeping in a peaceful state with our highly-trained team monitoring their vital signs to ensure they remain at a safe level of sedation at all times during the procedure.