For many, dental anxiety stems from a lack of understanding, prior unpleasant experiences, or a feeling of lacking autonomy. In addition, we don’t view our amenities as add-ons or afterthoughts, but rather integrate them directly into how we listen, communicate, and care for our patients. Our patients in North Bethesda, MD, benefit from highly skilled dentists who work hard to provide comfort.
It Starts With Listening
Before we talk about any treatment, we want to talk to you about what causes your anxiety, previous experiences at the dentist, and what makes you feel at ease. Some patients are apprehensive about sounds, sensations, expense, how long it will take, or simply being unsure of the next step. We’re trained to read these hesitations and give you a chance to express yourself freely.
We believe patients feel more comfortable when they understand the information we see and why we recommend care. We use digital photography, radiographs, and a detailed walkthrough of how we view the oral cavity to guide you toward a confident decision rather than an intimidated one.
Sedation Can Help You Feel More Relaxed
For those who feel they could use a little more help managing their anxiety or discomfort, we have a variety of sedation techniques that may be appropriate for you. Sedation dentistry uses medication as an aid. Your provider will recommend this based on the type of procedure you’re receiving, your medical history, and how anxious you may be. Nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are two of the most common options.
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is delivered through a small, comfortable mask worn over the nose during treatment. It helps induce feelings of relaxation in patients, and the effects will dissipate shortly after the procedure. This option is most common for those with mild to moderate fears. Oral conscious sedation is a pill taken at home before the scheduled appointment. This medication helps you feel more relaxed throughout treatment, and you may not remember much afterward, but you will remain able to listen and speak.
When sedation is a possibility, we ask for a brief review of any medications and your health history with you and your physician to help ensure that the treatment plan recommended is safe.
Other Ways You Can Be Comforted
Sedation is not the only way we can work to increase your level of comfort, either. In addition to sedation, we offer a number of thoughtful amenities that can improve your experience. You can bring in warm towels and use aromatherapy to help you relax. We also offer headphones with options to watch Netflix or YouTube, as well as blankets and your own dedicated patient advocate throughout treatment. If there is anything specific you would like us to consider when we prepare for your visit, don’t hesitate to let us know beforehand.
Care For Advanced Treatment
Many of our patients receive advanced services here, including prosthetics, restorations, root canals, cosmetic dentistry, full mouth rehabilitation, or dental implants. Because of the complexity of these procedures, there can be more planning and communication needed. Fortunately, we practice the combination of prosthodontics, endodontics, and restorative/general dentistry at the same location, which gives our patients the benefit of a team focused on coordinating their care.
This is often more reassuring to those who are anxious in a dental setting. The more the providers talk to each other about you, the more seamless your experience will be.
Knowing What To Expect
In addition, knowing what you can anticipate will help you feel prepared for the procedures and costs involved. We’re happy to walk you through the details, from explaining the steps to treatment, discussing sedation, reviewing the costs involved, and giving you the expected number of visits. For our patients, this means that no surprises are left to deal with.
For those requiring sedation, you’ll be given information about any necessary fasting and transportation requirements, as well as the medications you should take before and after the procedure, and what your recovery time will look like. You will never be left to figure these things out on your own.
Continuing Care After Treatment
In the end, we are still here for you after the appointment. Some doctors check in personally with the patients who have received more involved treatment, asking how you are and whether you have any questions or concerns. You are encouraged to follow up when any of your care needs do, and given the details about what’s common to expect, any symptoms to report immediately, and contact information to get back in touch.
It’s about much more than a great patient experience to us; we want to be able to build trust with our patients and ease their stress by communicating openly and respectfully. At Prostho Endo Dental Group in North Bethesda, MD, we understand how much a sedation dentistry and comfort amenities approach means to the comfort of patients, and we’d encourage you to give us a call and set up an initial visit.