adult man smiling with teethUnfortunately, so many people forego excellent dental care in Las Vegas because of dental anxiety or phobia. Dr. James Polley, a Las Vegas sedation dentist, understands how some people feel about going to the dentist, and for that reason, putting our patients at ease and ensuring their safety and comfort are top priorities at the office of James B Polley DDS, serving Las Vegas and surrounding areas.

We don’t want you to go one more day, let alone one more year, without the unrivaled dental care Dr. Polley and his team can provide you. If you are too nervous or downright scared to make a dental appointment, please read on to learn how we can help ease that fear and provide you with the care you need and deserve.

Is it Dental Anxiety or Dental Phobia?

Think of dental phobia as just more intense than dental anxiety. People with dental anxiety or dental phobia will likely exhibit similar signs and symptoms:

  • Sweating
  • Racing heartbeat or heart palpitations
  • Low blood pressure
  • Fainting
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Upset stomach/nausea
  • Visible distress, crying, or signs of panic
  • Using humor or aggression to mask anxiety
  • Increased gag reflex
  • Trembling hands
  • Some patients may even hyperventilate

Sedation dentistry helps ease these symptoms and allows you to get the preventative dental care or dental treatment you need to maintain good oral health, restore good oral health, and improve overall general health and well-being.

Dr. Polley offers oral sedation dentistry to help stop anxiety so you can receive the comprehensive dental care you need without all the worry, stress, and fear. You’ll be amazed at how easy sedation dentistry is and how many options there are to keep you calm and comfortable.

Regardless of the reason for your dental anxiety or phobia, Dr. Polley, after performing a thorough evaluation (including obtaining your medical history and discussing your symptoms), will know which type of sedation dentistry will make you the most comfortable.

Some of the most common causes of dental anxiety include:

  • A traumatic dental or medical experience
  • Trauma to the head or face, which causes one to be extra sensitive to being touched in those areas
  • PTSD or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
  • Fear of loss of control
  • Trust issues
  • The belief that the mouth is a vulnerable place that should not be violated

Types of Sedation Dentistry in Las Vegas

Since every patient is different, Dr. Polley will choose the best oral sedation technique for you and your needs. The medication will be decided on how much anxiety you experience and how long your procedure will take. Any existing medical conditions must be considered, and your age, height, weight, and past substance use issues will be factored in the sedation dentistry method chosen.

Oral Conscious Sedation via a Pill

Before your appointment with Las Vegas sedation dentist Dr. Polley, we will instruct you to take a pill and monitor your vital signs and comfort level during your appointment. You must be conscious enough to respond to Dr. Polley’s instructions during your procedure. You will feel deeply relaxed and may even fall asleep during your process.

Many of the medications used for this type of oral sedation have an amnesiac effect, which means you may not even remember the dental work you had done—that’s excellent news for many patients who do not want to know the details of their dental treatment.

You will need to be driven home by a trusted friend or family member because the effects of the oral medication will linger after your dental work is finished.

Deep Sedation Dentistry in Las Vegas, Nevada

We also offer deep sedation if general anesthesia is not indicated. Deep sedation dentistry is slightly different from general anesthesia and poses less risk than general anesthesia. Like general anesthesia, deep sedation uses drugs to induce a loss of consciousness; however, a patient can easily respond to questions and instructions with deep sedation.

Dr. Polley will explain why he has chosen a particular type of sedation dentistry for you. We always encourage you to ask any questions you have, and we always encourage you to have a loved one with you when having any invasive dental work performed. Even if you’re just in for teeth whitening or quick tooth extraction, why not bring a loved one along for moral support? Even if you don’t need sedation dentistry, it’s always nice to have a loving person nearby at the dentist.

General Anesthesia as Sedation Dentistry in Las Vegas

happy woman relaxed after sedation dental appt in Las Vegas

When milder types of sedation dentistry are not enough, you may need general anesthesia, which means you will be “put under” and unable to answer questions or respond to instructions during your dental work. You will have no memory of your procedure, just as is when you have surgery for a non-dental issue.

Our dental practice is licensed for general anesthesia; some Las Vegas sedation dentists cannot perform work under general anesthesia. Dr. James Polley has many years of experience with dental treatments under general anesthesia.

We recommend general dentistry for patients who:

  • Have extreme dental anxiety
  • Don’t respond to oral sedation
  • Can’t sit still
  • Have an invasive procedure
  • Have developmental disabilities

We will explain the risks involved with general anesthesia and get signed consent before ever beginning any dental work. You are in excellent hands with Dr. Polley and team. We feel honored and thrilled to offer it to our patients who need it to get the dental care they need with minimal discomfort because it’s not provided in many Las Vegas dental practices.

Learn More About Sedation Dentistry in Las Vegas, Nevada

Please call Dr. Polley and the dental care team in Las Vegas (702) 873-0324, or you may fill out our online contact form to schedule or ask questions. Please don’t let dental anxiety or phobia keep you from getting the unparalleled dental care you deserve. Dr. Polley has the education, training, and licensure necessary to provide the best, safest options in sedation dentistry in Las Vegas.