Sedation Dentistry in Anderson, SC

Fear of the unknown is a natural part of human nature.

For patients, dentistry is often the unknown because you can’t actually see what is happening during treatment.

At Hopewell Family Dentistry, we are compassionate with fearful patients in our office. Our team caters to your needs, treats you with kindness, and goes the extra mile to ensure you have a great experience.

We take addressing your concerns one step further by providing sedation dentistry options to help our anxious patients experience a stress-free dental appointment. After all, we never want you to put off treatment because this can put your health at risk and worsen conditions that can lead to a dental emergency – something most patients like to avoid!

Mild Nitrous Oxide Sedation

If you are someone who just needs a little help to relax while you have your dentistry treatments, you might choose nitrous oxide sedation, our mildest form of sedation dentistry. 

Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, is safe for most patients and wears off quickly so you can return to work or school on the same day. It creates a sense of well-being and allows you to kick back, worry-free during your procedure.

We can control your sedation throughout your appointment with the turn of a lever so you remain relaxed. When your treatment is over, we stop administering nitrous and you will feel like yourself again in a few moments.

Oral Sedation Dentistry in Anderson

For patients who have had a negative experience in the past or who have extreme dental anxiety, oral sedation might be the best option.

Oral sedation uses a prescription medication designed to help even the most fearful patients relax. We will administer it here, in our office, prior to starting treatment.

To find out if oral sedation is right for you, we will do a full medical history and ask for a list of your current medications. For most patients, sedation is completely safe.

A few things that you can expect during treatment while using oral sedation include:

• You may have little to no memory of your appointment.
• Time appears to fly by.
• You'll experience complete relaxation while remaining conscious.
• You might be so relaxed that you doze off.
• You should plan to take the rest of the day off.
• Your gag reflex might be reduced.

Oral sedation is a longer-lasting form of sedation dentistry, so you will need someone to drive you home after your appointment. You should plan on relaxing the rest of the day and avoiding any big decisions. We recommend a nap! By the next morning, you will feel recovered and ready to resume your regular schedule.

Are You Afraid of the Dentist?

Don’t worry! Dr. Carter and Dr. Ricke won’t take it personally, but they will help you enjoy stress-free dental treatment.

Contact our Anderson, SC dental office to learn more about the benefits of sedation dentistry.