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Sedation Dentistry in Anchorage, AK

Do you have dental fears? Do you start sweating just thinking about going to the dentist? No problem. At Family First Dentistry we provide several forms of sedation to help you relax during dental procedures.

Sedation dentistry at Family First Dentistry

  • IV sedation uses intravenous medication to induce deep relaxation, reduce anxiety, and keep you comfortable during your procedure. For those patients who are ultra nervous or want to be provided with the best type of relaxation,  IV sedation goes deepest and provides the most reliable and predictable success for comfort.
  • Oral sedation involves medication taken by pill to help you relax and dramatically reduce dental fears and anxiety. Sometimes our patients combine nitrous and oral sedation which provides them the perfect combination of relaxation.
  • Nitrous sedation is a great option for anti-anxiety during dental procedures and it wears off within minutes which allows you to drive after your dental appointment. It also has an analgesic effect that can reduce discomfort during any dental procedure, including dental cleanings.

The right option depends on how much anxiety you carry, what the procedure involves, and your medical history. We will go through your medical history and talk it through before anything is scheduled.

What to Expect on the Day

With oral and IV sedation, most patients remember very little of the appointment afterward, which for a lot of people is the entire point. For your safety, we monitor your vitals through the duration of the appointment. You will need a ride home for oral or IV sedation, follow whatever eating instructions we give you beforehand, and plan on a quiet rest of the day.

Nervous about dental work?

Sedation dentistry lets anxious patients get the care they have been putting off, comfortably. Ask which option fits you.

Call 907-562-2820Request an Appointment

When Sedation Makes Sense

Fear of the dentist is the most common reason, and it is a good one. It also helps if you have a strong gag reflex, difficulty getting numb, trouble sitting still or keeping your mouth open comfortably, or a lot of treatment to get through in one visit. It is frequently paired with wisdom teeth removal and longer restorative appointments.

If Fear Has Kept You Away

Some of our sedation patients have not seen a dentist in years, sometimes decades, due to dental fears. After your consultation, we can come up with a prioritized list of what needs to be completed and how to do that.  This will be at a pace you can handle, and sedation is what can make those appointments possible. If pain is what finally brought you in, our emergency care page covers what to do right now.

Local Anesthesia

In addition to the sedation options above, local anesthesia is the most common numbing treatment and is used for routine work such as fillings. It is given by injection after a numbing gel is applied, and patients stay fully awake and aware throughout without feeling anything in their mouth during the procedure.

Patient reclined and relaxed during sedation dentistry
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