Painless Sedation Dentistry

Many people had horrible, traumatic dental experiences as children, and then end up as dental phobic adults who avoid ever seeing a dentist unless it is an absolute emergency. Unfortunately by the time they see the dentist with a painful toothache, treatment choices are often limited and the worst case scenario. At this point, treatment options are all are much more costly and much more invasive than a simple prevention. What can a person who is afraid of the dentist and living near Croton or Westchester NY do?

Conscious Sedation has made the Dentist Office a lot less scary.

Sedation dentistry implies a relaxed condition while dentistry is being performed. The type of relaxation can take many forms. Medication induced relaxation is the obvious example, but relaxed dentistry does not have to be limited to only medication. Quite often the type of dental office that you visit can make a huge difference in how a dental patient experiences dentistry. Receiving dental care in a large dental clinic is probably a mistake if you are afraid of the dentist. Dental clinics tend to be large, impersonal group dental practices with many dentists and hygienists, many patients in the waiting area, and many receptionists working in a chaotic state behind the front desk. Walking into such a dental clinic can make even a non-fearful dental patient tense. For a person who is afraid of the dentist, a better way to find a dentist in Westchester NY would be to look for a smaller, more personal dental office. Offices offering Laser Dentistry and Conscious Sedation will be a lot less scary.

Dr. Bard Levey, cosmetic dentist in Croton and Scarsdale, Westchester NY, a second generation dentist, was taught by his father the importance of treating every dental patient as a whole person. Dr. Levey's dad would say that "attached to each tooth is a person, and usually a very anxious person." Dr. Levey then emphasized the importance of listening to every patient's history. By hearing the history, a dentist can improve future experiences by adjusting some simple parameters of the appointment. Perhaps a longer appointment time would be helpful, as it then affords one the opportunity to actually get up, walk around, get fresh air, and take a break from the dental work. Perhaps the opportunity to complete all needed dental work (example dental implants, teeth whitening, Cosmetic Dentistry) in just one or two dental visits, instead of many shorter visits would be helpful.

A cosmetic dentist (who chooses to see fewer patients each day) than a dental clinic or group practice general dentist, is better able to adapt to his patient's needs (Dr. Levey calls this adaptive scheduling). A less busy office offers a more calm, comfortable and pleasant office atmosphere. The brain is very powerful, don't underestimate the importance a calm, responsive environment can have on a person afraid to visit the dentist.

The medications used for sedation dentistry by cosmetic dentists in Croton, Scarsdale, Westcheter NY , range from oral medications taken at home prior to the dental visit, to IV sedation administered in the dental office. Oral medications can be taken the night before the dental appointment to ensure a good night's sleep. The same meds can also be taken just before the dental appointment to relieve anxiety. A very safe and effective anti-anxiety method is Nitrous-Oxide. Better known as "laughing gas," nitrous oxide is a very good way to decrease the anxiety levels of a person afraid of seeing the dentist. Unlike most other medications used to treat anxiety and stress, nitrous oxide use does not linger in the body, and the patient receiving nitrous oxide can drive themselves to and from their dental appointment. IV sedation can also be administered in the dental office. When performed by a cosmetic dentist in Croton, Westchester NY sedation dentistry is administered and monitored by a trained anesthesiologist while the dentistry is being performed. You will be able to have an a lot of dentistry performed in one (long) visit while you are sedated, but you will also need someone available to drive you home afterward.

You have choices; please know that if you are afraid of the dentist you are not alone. Many of Dr. Levey's best patients started out as patients who were afraid of the dentist. Since Dr. Levey offers more personalized and responsive care a level of trust and rapport is developed. Dr. Bard J. Levey, a cosmetic dentist in Croton, Scarsdale, near Yorktown and Hartsdale, in Westchester NY has chosen to limit his practice to the treatment of adults, often anxious adults.