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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Doctors
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Our Technology
  • Services
    • General
      • Routine Cleanings & Exams
    • Cosmetic
      • Crowns
      • Veneers
      • Bridges
      • Teeth Whitening
    • Restorative
      • Implants
      • Composite Fillings
    • Prosthetics
      • Implant Prosthetics
      • Dentures & Partials
      • Stayplates
      • Nightguards
  • Smile Gallery
  • Media
    • Blog
    • Reviews
  • Contact Us

Lose the Nerves with Sedation Dentistry at Curtis R. Couch D.D.S

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Home Media Blog Sedation Lose the Nerves with Sedation Dentistry at Curtis R. Couch D.D.S

Lose the Nerves with Sedation Dentistry at Curtis R. Couch D.D.S

lose the nerves

Do you fear going to the dentist? You’re not alone; in fact this fear is more common than you might think…

Did you know that approximately 75% of Americans are known to experience varying levels of fear and anxiety about visiting the dentist? And even more 5-10% develops a fear known as ‘Dentophobia’ or ‘dentist phobia’. The most common way people develop dental fears is through a direct experience. Most people who experience dental fear can report that their dental fear may have begun after a traumatic, difficult, or painful dental experience Here at Curtis R. Couch we pride ourselves on providing a calm and relaxed atmosphere that can put our patients at ease. Dr. Curtis R. Couch ensures he spends the extra time needed to develop a strong relationship with his patients to let them know they are in good hands. Whether your reservations about your upcoming dental appointment are mild or as extreme as the above phobias, sedation dentistry may be the treatment you need to calm your nerves and put you at ease during your visit. At Curtis R. Couch D.D.S in Thousand Oaks California we offer patients experiencing anxiety dental sedation options to help them relax during their visit.

Stay as cool as a cucumber…   

Going to the dentist shouldn’t be scary, here at Curtis R. Couch D.D.S we ensure your visit is calm and relaxing every step of the way. However we understand that often some people have developed serious fears and phobias which may lead them to feel anxious or worried about their visit. With the use of sedation dentistry we can help you make through your treatment without too many worries.

There are two main reasons why we use sedation dentistry…

When prescribing sedatives in dentistry we tend to use them for two main reasons, one is the use during surgical or invasive procedures and the other, as mentioned prior, is for patients who experience a fear or phobia of the dentist and require assistance in order to relax during examinations and treatments. Here at Curtis R. Couch D.D.S we will aim to make every visit with us as comfortable as possible. This is why we are happy to offer Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) to our patients. When booking an appoint we recommended notifying our receptionists if you are nervous about visiting the dentist so that we can make all of the proper preparations. As for surgical procedures we often need to use sedation dentistry to help ensure our patients do not experience any discomfort during their treatment.

What is sedative will be used to put me at ease?

To comfort our patients we use nitrous oxide or laughing gas as the primary means of sedation. Nitrous oxide is completely safe as the patient receives 50-70% oxygen with no less than 30% nitrous oxide. You will be able to breathe on your own and remain in control of all bodily functions. Nitrous Oxide is a sweet-smelling, non-irritating, colorless gas which is inhaled to calm patients and keep them comfortable during their dental treatment. If you’re worried about needles (as many patients are) it’s comforting to know that we will not require any needles to treat you with nitrous oxide. Using nitrous oxide to ease your dental worries will ensure your visit is enjoyable and will put your fears or phobias at rest. Other benefits include:
  • The depth of sedation can be altered at any time to increase or decrease sedation.
  • You don’t have to worry about getting ‘sedation hangover’ as there is no after affect.
  • Inhalation sedation is safe with no side effects on your heart and lungs, etc.
  • Inhalation sedation is very effective in minimizing gagging.
  • It works quickly as it reaches the brain within 20 seconds and within as little as 2-3 minutes its relaxation and pain killing properties develop.
*Note, for patients who have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) nitrous oxide is not the recommended sedative. This is why it is important when organizing your visit to Curtis R. Couch you inform our team of your current medical condition and we will prescribe you the most appropriate solution to help ensure you are comfortable during your appointment. Though there are no other major problems with using nitrous oxide, we do not highly recommend using it if you have emphysema, exotic chest problems, M.S., a cold or other difficulties with breathing. As previously mentioned, it is always important to call in advance to ensure we have a good understanding of what treatment will be best suited for you.

How will I feel after inhaling the gas and will I be able to drive myself home?

Nitrous Oxide affects everyone differently. It is primarily designed to make patients feel relaxed and calm throughout their procedure. While some patients report mild lightheadedness, slight hallucinations and uncontrollable laughter (hence the name) the sedative is safe and will wear off soon after your procedure. It’s important to remember that the effects will differ for each individual, although most patients commonly experience a feeling of calm. You can drive home after having Nitrous Oxide however we do recommend waiting in our waiting room until you feel confident you are able and alert enough to drive. Nitrous oxide is a mild anesthesia so you may still wish to find a ride home just to be safe. It is also a good idea to ask your dentist for a five minute trial to see how you feel with this type of sedation method before proceeding. Here at Curtis R. Couch we recommend any patients considering using sedation dentistry to trial nitrous oxide before we use it during treatment. The goal at Curtis R. Couch in Thousand Oaks is to ensure our patients are comfortable and relaxed during their trips to our office. If you experience dental phobia or even mild fears of going to the dentist and it is causing you to avoid the dental procedures you need to maintain your oral heath, than sedation dentistry may be the soothing help you need to get you through your dental checkups and procedures. Trips to the dentists shouldn’t be scary, but if you are struggling with your fears we ask that you do not avoid the dentists but let your phobia be put to rest with sedation dentistry. [cta] To find out more about our sedation dentistry please don’t hesitate to call (805) 496 8077 or contact us [/cta]

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216 Lombard Street Thousand Oaks CA 91360 USA

Get in touch

216 Lombard Street Thousand Oaks
CA 91360 USA
805-497-8077
Monday:
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday:
7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday:
7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday:
7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Friday:
7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Weekends:
Closed

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