Sedation Dentistry - Coventry, RI

We Believe in Anxiety-Free and Soothing Dental Care

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No Need to Fear the Dentist

If dental fear or anxiety is preventing you from receiving the dental care you need, you’re not alone. According to the American Dental Association, nearly 22% of people skip dental appointments due to dental fear. At Eric George DMD & Associates, we believe your dental experience should be anxiety-free and leverage sedation dentistry to help make this a reality. Coupled with compassionate care, sedation dentistry helps us change the misconception people have about going to the dentist. Our practice offers IV sedation options in Coventry, RI that are customized to your unique degree of dental fear and the procedure(s) you’re receiving. Dental sedation also allows us to consolidate multiple treatments in one appointment, thereby minimizing the number of visits to our office while maximizing convenience. When you receive IV sedation in Coventry, RI, this will alleviate your fears, positively change your relationship with dentistry, and ultimately benefit your smile, health, and happiness!

With modern dentistry, there are sedation techniques that can make you 100% comfortable. I am passionate about doing sedation dentistry and passionate about being able to allay patients’ anxieties towards dentistry. - Eric George, DMD

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Advances in gentle dental technology have made it possible to receive comfortable, nearly painless dental services and reduce or completely eliminate dental-related anxiety. We offer multiple safe sedation options – ranging from nitrous oxide to general anesthesia. When under conscious sedation, most patients feel no dental treatment-related discomfort and feel surprisingly good afterward.

Who Can Benefit From Sedation Dentistry?

People with deep-seated anxiety may need sedation for the first few visits, however, once their fears ease and trust is established, it may not be necessary. Anyone with the following issues can benefit from sedation dentistry:

Fear or anxiety about seeing a dentist
Fear of needles, drills, or other instruments
Anxiety associated with dentistry-related smells, noises, and tastes
Past traumatic dental experiences
Sensitive gag reflex
Low pain threshold
Complex procedures that may be painful
Longer or multiple treatments

Our Sedation Dentistry Services

Nitrous Oxide

Commonly referred to as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a gaseous medication inhaled through a nasal mask. While this won’t make you laugh and you’ll remain conscious and responsive, this type of sedation will help you feel relaxed throughout your procedure. The effects are mild and felt as soon as 30 seconds after you start breathing through the mask. After treatment is complete, the nitrous oxide is stopped, so you’ll only breathe oxygen until the mask is removed. The effects wear off quickly so you can drive yourself home.

Oral Sedation

Also called conscious sedation, this involves taking a prescribed dose of sedative before your procedure. Typically, you take a pill one hour prior to treatment, or as otherwise directed by our office. Although you’ll likely stay awake during the procedure, oral sedation provides significant relaxation and you may nod off. Most people remember little or nothing about the procedure once it’s over. Because oral sedation leaves you feeling drowsy, somebody will need to drive you home. The effects should wear off completely within 24 hours.

IV Sedation

Most dentists can administer minimal sedation such as nitrous oxide or oral sedation, however, only a small percentage offer more complex IV conscious sedation. Dr. Eric George is licensed to perform IV conscious sedation and is one of a handful of general dentists in the state of RI to offer it. IV sedation is an ideal choice if you suffer from more severe anxiety or need more complex treatments. Administered intravenously into a vein, this type of sedation puts you into a sleep-like state, although you’ll remain awake during the procedure. IV sedation starts working quickly and you’ll feel minimal to no pain during treatment. We monitor your vitals and can easily adjust the dosage so it’s safe. Due to its amnesic effects, many patients who receive IV sedation forget parts of or the entirety of their treatment. Since it has some lasting side effects, you’ll need someone to drive you home afterwards.

General Anesthesia

During deep sedation or general anesthesia, you’re unconscious during the procedure. When under general anesthesia, you can’t be easily awakened until the effects wear off or are reversed with medication. This type of sedation is usually reserved for significant oral surgery or for patients resistant to other forms of sedation. It also requires the services of an anesthesiologist to monitor all your vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse.

Get the Essential Oral Care You Need in Comfort

Many patients don’t realize receiving regular dental care can help prevent more serious dental issues, as well as systemic conditions. Tooth decay can lead to gum disease which can cause tooth loss. When left unchecked, bacteria caused by gum disease can spread throughout the body and lead to diabetes complications, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease, among other issues. Delaying treatment can make things worse and necessitate more invasive procedures. If the sights, sounds, or smells of a dental visit make you anxious, sedation dentistry may be the right solution to help protect your oral, emotional, and overall health.

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Dr. Bashar A. Shehadeh

Nervous About Going to the Dentist? Know Your Sedation Options

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Dr. George

Sedation

We fully understand you may be nervous to visit us and we’ll do everything we can to create a welcoming and relaxing experience. Don’t let an oral health challenge become a whole-body health challenge.

Find Your Comfort Zone with Soothing Sedation Dentistry

We don’t think anyone should experience dental anxiety because this ultimately jeopardizes one’s health and happiness. If you have dental fear, we hope you’ll consider sedation dentistry in Coventry, RI. We fully understand you may be nervous to visit us and we’ll do everything we can to create a welcoming and relaxing experience. Don’t let an oral health challenge become a whole-body health challenge. Explore your sedation dentistry options at Eric George DMD & Associates in Coventry, RI, and receive the life-changing and life-saving dental care you need—in your comfort zone.

Banish dental pain and fear – your smile deserves it!

Get the comfortable dental work you need by scheduling an appointment today.

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