Irving, Dallas, Las Colinas, Fort Worth, Texas, Sedation Dentist, Kent Smith, Jeff Roy, DDS, Pain Free Sedation Dentistry

Irving (Las Colinas), Texas Sedation Dentistry - 21st Century Dental

Fear and anxiety are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinct difference. Fear tends to be a short-lived phenomenon that disappears once the threat or danger passes. Anxiety, however, is more of an internal emotional response, one learned from either personal negative experiences or second hand via the recounts of others. Both of these ignite your sympathetic nervous system, the "Fight or Flight" control center, once the threat presents or anticipation becomes overwhelming. Presto. You feel like a mess.

You become mad at yourself for the way you are feeling and the inability to control it. Do any of these sound familiar?: sweaty hands, racing heart, feeling as if you'll hyperventilate, profuse perspiration, jitters, canceling appointments or never scheduling them because it is easier to suffer with the pain than face the anxiety. Whether the threat is real (fear) or perceived or anticipated (anxiety) does not make a difference; you will soon learn that we will treat you with the same compassion and care.

If you're still with us, you identify with these descriptions and are looking for someone who will give your fears and anxieties the same diagnostic attention as your cavities, you can relax. You have come to the right place. We want to be your "light at the end of the tunnel" of dental anxiety. You see, here at 21st Century Dental we believe in treating you (or your anxiety) first, your mouth second. Dr. Kent Smith and Dr. Jeff Roy are committed to that end.

Nitrous Oxide or "Laughing Gas" is one of the safest forms of sedation available and can take the anxiety out of most routine dental procedures to include cleanings. Non-allergenic and non-irritating, most feel the onset effects within minutes and these effects are completely reversed within about 5 minutes of gas termination. This complete reversal allows you to safely drive home or go to work right after your appointment!

Almost anyone can have nitrous oxide treatment. We can vary the depth of sedation depending on your level of anxiety. The gas also tends to reduce gag reflexes and saliva flow. Most importantly, you will bask in a feeling of relaxation as we care for you.

The gas is administered through a simple rubber hood that rests on your nose providing a feeling of numbness, security, and warmth. If you are known to be claustrophobic, this might not be the optimal choice for you. At or near the end of your treatment, we will provide you with 100% oxygen so you will feel completely normal within 5-10 minutes. At that point, you are 100% ready to independently carry on your life. Obviously, this is an excellent choice for the on-the-go business person or parent who needs a light sedation yet doesn’t have time to arrange for an escort to drive them to and from the appointment. Bring your favorite relaxation CD!

Oral Sedation or “sleep dentistry” utilizes the oldest of all routes of drug administration, the mouth. It’s very safe, economical, and convenient. Oral sedation, when properly used, can deliver a deeper relaxation state than nitrous (laughing gas) and provide some amnesic effects. If you suffer more from the thought of coming in than actually being here, this may be just the choice for you. After an initial consultation to determine the appropriate anxiety relief option, we will take baseline vital signs and write a prescription. Halcion (Triazolam) will be taken about an hour before your dental appointment, so you will be relaxed before we start. Although awake, you will feel relaxed and drowsy. During your treatment, we will continuously monitor your pulse and oxygen saturation rate, and continually monitor your blood pressure with state of the art patient monitors. We never leave your side. The same medication can also be given to you the night before to help you sleep. So, please don't let anxiety prevent you from having the confident smile or healthy mouth you have always wanted. The medications will do what you can’t yourself. Take the time to come in and meet us so we can decide together what is best for you. If you would like a first appointment to simply talk about your anxieties and fears, we will do that and no dental exam would be done. Some patients will begin by spending a trip or two just to drive to our Las Colinas office, walk in and say hello, and then leave the office. On these visits, we never even get close to a dental treatment room.

Are you a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

If you have any of the following:

Fear of dental treatment
History of traumatic dental experiences
Difficulty getting numb; requires multiple injections
Very sensitive gag reflex or difficulty opening (can’t even take x-rays at times!)
Extremely sensitive teeth
Limited time to get dental care completed; busy schedule; need to do all treatment in a day
Complex dental problems; or a need for surgery
Above average disdain for “getting numb”
Embarrassment about your teeth & smile but fear prevents you from pursuing rehabilitation
In denial of a dental problem until the pain is unbearable
Self-neglect; anxiety and fear prohibit all measures of professional dental hygiene and prevention
Have not received professional dental care in many years, perhaps decades
Go from dentist to dentist all over the Dallas/Ft. Worth area to renew painkiller prescriptions for dental problems
Have been labeled a drug seeker because fear leads you to seek pain meds but never permanent solutions
Often make and then cancel dental appointments at last minute
Been dismissed by dental offices for (fear-induced) cancellations
Make numerous, lengthy phone calls to the dentist's office
Experience sweaty palms or find yourself gripping the armrests
Have ever fainted in a dental or medical office
Can’t open wide for even short dental appointments due to TMJ pain and dysfunction
You constantly use mouth mints to suppress the malodor secondary to oral disease
Although not extremely anxious, you simply want the Cadillac of comfort with dental care

… then yes, you are a candidate!

If you hate the noises, smells and tastes associated with dental care and offices and you can’t block them out (even in an office with as many comfortable distractions as ours such as candles, massage mats, and fresh baked Otis Spunkmeyer cookies), then it’s time to experience “twilight sleep” while we do the work.

Recent research has indicated that the number one reason adults postpone needed dental care was fear! That's right, not time, not money, but fear! Sadly, dental decay and periodontal disease do not take exceptions!

We work closely with a couple of excellent dental and medical anesthesiologists in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area with over 25+ years of professional experience each. Together with them, we make sure that you have a pleasant experience!

How IV Sedation Works

With safe and proven techniques, patients receive sedative drugs which work rapidly to create a relaxed state that is maintained and monitored throughout treatment. Beyond creating an optimal environment for you, the patient, dentistry with IV Sedation also allows us to complete multiple procedures in one appointment.

An IV is started by the anesthesiologist allowing all medications for relaxation to enter your body. You will not remember or be aware of any procedures (especially “getting numb”). You continue to breathe on your own. This is not like the hospital anesthesia where a machine breathes for you. It’s extremely safe.

Sedation Facts:

It Really Works! You really can relax through your dental appointment.
You will have little or no memory of the experience.
You won't remember any sounds or smells.
You can relax for up to five to six hours after the IV sedation (or the anti-anxiety pill if you choose). The time you are relaxing will vary depending on your needed treatment and type of anesthesia delivered.
Complex dental treatments that often require multiple appointments can often be done in as little as one or two! All while you relax.
People who have difficulty getting numb will have no problem when relaxed.
Sedation dentistry is a safe way to reduce the fatigue of extended dental treatment requiring long visits.

Well, what do you think?

IV FAQ’s:

Will I feel any pain?

You will feel almost nothing! We even numb the back of your hand prior to starting the IV. Once the IV is in, all meds go through it. You will be sleeping peacefully when the numbing starts.

How long will I be relaxing?

Depending on your needs, you will be sedated anywhere from one to six hours. You will rest for 3-4 hours when you get home also, most likely. Most wisdom teeth cases are approximately one hour in duration, in office.

Will someone need to accompany/drive me?

Yes, due to the sedative effects of the medication, you will need someone to drive you to and from our office.

Will I be monitored?

Yes, one of our team is always with you and your vital signs are constantly monitored during the entire visit. You are never alone.

Is IV Sedation safe?

In our office, the dentist anesthesiologist is ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certified and the doctors and all of the assisting staff are basic life support certified. Dr. Roy also has past IV sedation experience and certification as well as ACLS certification, so you won’t have to worry about who is around you while you are relaxing.

We are committed to making you feel as comfortable as one can feel in a dental setting. Please don’t ever feel ashamed or embarrassed that you are dealing with anxieties. Dental fear and anxiety is incredibly common and we help patients reach their treatment goals via sedation on a daily basis. Most importantly, it’s important for you to understand that you don’t have to understand this or what it does to your body. The anxiety will never make it feel or seem right; it will never allow you to make logical decisions about your health…the sedative meds will. Please trust that the inhalants (laughing gas), oral sedatives, or anesthesiologist administered IV medications will make that uncontrollable feeling go away. Good luck in your pursuit of a beautiful smile, fresh breath, optimal personal health, and happiness! You deserve it!

4301 N. MacArthur, Suite 100 Irving, Texas 75038

Irving, Dallas, Las Colinas, Fort Worth, Texas, Sedation Dentist, Kent Smith, Jeff Roy, DDS, Pain Free Sedation Dentistry