If the mere thought of an upcoming dental appointment fills you with dread, you’re not alone. Millions of people experience dental anxiety and fear to some degree. However, avoiding the dentist due to anxiety can have serious consequences for your oral and overall health. Fortunately, at Legacy Dental with Omaha dentists Dr. Lauren Semerad and Dr. Maggie Larsen, we understand dental phobia and provide a calming, compassionate environment to help even the most anxious patients feel at ease.
What Causes Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety can stem from a variety of causes, including previous traumatic dental experiences, fear of pain, anxieties around needles or drills, embarrassment about the condition of your teeth, or the feeling of being helpless or out of control in the dentist’s chair. For some, the anxiety is specific and situational, while others experience generalized anxiety or even panic attacks.
No matter the root cause, dental anxiety is valid and nothing to be ashamed about. Our goal is to work with you to overcome these fears so you can get the dental care you need without avoidance or delay. Whether you need routine comprehensive dental care, cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, or emergency dental care, you can count on us for expert care and compassion.
Sedation for Anxious Patients
One highly effective solution for dental anxiety is the use of sedation dentistry. Legacy Dental in Omaha, NE, offers multiple options to ensure a relaxing, comfortable experience:
Nitrous Oxide: Also known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is a mild sedative breathed through a nasal mask that induces a calming, almost euphoric state. You remain awake and responsive while feelings of anxiety dissipate.
Oral Conscious Sedation: This method involves taking a sedative medication about an hour before your appointment. You’ll feel deeply relaxed and may fall asleep yet you will remain able to wake up and respond to questions during treatment. You will have little memory of the procedure.
IV Sedation: For those dealing with severe dental phobia, IV sedation provides a “twilight sleep” where you’ll remain asleep throughout your visit, feeling no pain and likely having no memory of the procedure.
The sedation method recommended will depend on your level of anxiety and the treatment you’re undergoing. With Oral Conscious Sedation and IV sedation, you’ll need a friend or family member to get you home safely.
Tips for Managing Dental Anxiety
In addition to sedation options, there are other steps we take at Legacy Dental to create a truly stress-free, anxiety-reducing experience:
Communication: Our Omaha dentists believe in developing an open, honest dialogue with anxious patients. We want to understand your specific fears and concerns so we can thoughtfully address them and put your mind at ease.
Building Trust: We never rush or make assumptions but instead take the time to fully explain procedures, answer questions, and ensure your comfort before proceeding.
The Tell-Show-Do Approach: Unfamiliar sights and sounds can heighten anxiety, so we deliberately guide you through your experience using the tell-show-do process so there are no surprises.
Comfort Amenities: We provide neck pillows, warm lavender towels, blankets, headphones, and entertainment options to create the ultimate relaxation station just for you.
Keeping You Informed
In our experience, knowledge is powerful for reducing dental anxiety in Omaha. Throughout every visit, our compassionate team and top Omaha dentists do an outstanding job of keeping you informed and empowered with the following:
Explanations of Your Treatment Plan: Before any procedure, we walk through exactly what to expect step-by-step so you can stay in the loop.
Education on Your Oral Health: Patient education is so important, which is why we take the time to discuss any issues and your customized treatment solutions.
Updates During Your Appointment: Don’t be a passive passenger during treatment; we make sure you know what’s happening every step of the way.
Your Omaha Dentist for Stress-Free Visits
At Legacy Dental, you’ll find an environment free of judgment, pressure, or rushed attitudes. Our entire team strives to provide a soothing, spa-like atmosphere where even the most anxious patients can feel relaxed and in control of their experience. From calming sedation options to accommodating amenities, we go above and beyond to earn your trust and partner in achieving excellent oral health, one stress-free visit at a time. Contact us today to get started!
