If dental fear has kept you from getting the care you need, sleep dentistry may help you feel more relaxed and comfortable during your appointment. At Advances in Dentistry, Dr. Corbyn Rhodes and Dr. Angela Windsor help patients with dental anxiety move forward with treatment in a calmer, more manageable way.
Sleep dentistry, also known as sedation dentistry, can be a helpful option for patients who feel nervous about dental care, have had difficult dental experiences in the past, or need more extensive treatment completed comfortably.
Call 405-751-6996 to schedule a no-charge consultation and find out whether sleep dentistry in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma may be right for you.
Could Sleep Dentistry Help You?
Ask yourself the following:
- Are you nervous just thinking about seeing the dentist?
- Did you have a bad dental experience in the past or as a child?
- Have you been putting off needed dental work because of dental fear?
- Do the sounds, sights, or sensations of dental treatment make you uncomfortable?
- Do you have difficulty getting numb or have a sensitive gag reflex?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may be a candidate for sleep dentistry or sedation dentistry. Many patients experience dental anxiety, and it is nothing to be embarrassed about. The goal is to help you receive the care you need with greater comfort and confidence.
What Is Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep dentistry is a patient-friendly approach that uses sedation to help you relax during dental treatment. It is often referred to as sedation dentistry because the goal is not simply to make you sleepy, but to help reduce anxiety and make your visit easier.
For some patients, sleep dentistry can make it possible to complete years of needed dental treatment in fewer appointments. During your consultation, Dr. Corbyn Rhodes or Dr. Angela Windsor will talk with you about your dental needs, your concerns, your health history, and whether sedation dentistry is appropriate for you.
If you have delayed care because of dental fear, contact our office to discuss your options.
Common Reasons Patients Choose Sedation Dentistry
Patients may consider sleep dentistry in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for many reasons, including:
- Dental anxiety or dental phobia
- A sensitive gag reflex
- Difficulty getting numb
- Fear caused by past dental experiences
- Long or complex dental treatment needs
- Discomfort with the sounds, smells, or sensations of dental care
Sedation dentistry can help patients who have avoided treatment finally take the next step toward a healthier smile.
What to Expect With Sleep Dentistry
If Dr. Corbyn Rhodes or Dr. Angela Windsor determines that you are a candidate for sleep dentistry, medication may be prescribed before your appointment. You will need a family member or friend to drive you to and from your visit.
Most patients arrive feeling sleepy and relaxed. Once you are in the treatment room, additional medication may be provided when appropriate. This is conscious sedation, which means you are still able to respond to questions, but many patients remember little or nothing about the appointment afterward.
Patients often tell us, “I should have done this years ago,” “I don’t remember a thing,” or “I am no longer afraid of the dentist.”
Laughing Gas for Milder Dental Anxiety
Not every patient needs sleep dentistry. For patients who want to feel more relaxed but do not require deeper sedation, laughing gas may be an option. Laughing gas can help take the edge off during treatment and is out of your system within a few minutes after use.
During your visit, our team can help determine whether laughing gas, oral sedation, or another comfort-focused approach may be best for your needs.
Benefits of Sleep Dentistry
Sleep dentistry may help patients:
- Feel calmer before and during dental treatment
- Move forward with care they have been avoiding
- Complete more dental work in fewer visits when appropriate
- Reduce fear connected to past dental experiences
- Feel more comfortable during longer appointments
Delaying dental treatment often allows problems to become more painful, more complex, and more expensive. Sedation dentistry can help remove a major barrier to getting your oral health back on track.
Experienced Care for Anxious Dental Patients
Since 1994, Advances in Dentistry has helped thousands of patients overcome dental anxiety and receive the care they need. Dr. Corbyn Rhodes and Dr. Angela Windsor take time to understand your concerns, explain your options, and help you feel informed before treatment begins.
For patients with additional dental needs, sedation dentistry may be discussed as part of a larger treatment plan involving services such as restorative dentistry, dental crowns, dentures, or dental implants.
You can also learn more about our doctors and approach to patient care on our About Us page.
Sleep Dentistry FAQ
Is sleep dentistry the same as sedation dentistry?
Sleep dentistry is commonly used to describe sedation dentistry. The goal is to help patients feel deeply relaxed and comfortable during dental care. With conscious sedation, you can still respond to questions, but many patients remember very little about the visit.
Who is a good candidate for sleep dentistry?
Sleep dentistry may be helpful for patients with dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, difficulty getting numb, past traumatic dental experiences, or extensive dental treatment needs. Dr. Corbyn Rhodes or Dr. Angela Windsor will review your health history and dental needs before recommending sedation.
Will I need someone to drive me?
Yes. If you receive oral conscious sedation, you will need a trusted family member or friend to drive you to and from your appointment.
Can sleep dentistry help if I have avoided the dentist for years?
Yes, many patients choose sedation dentistry because they have delayed dental care due to fear or anxiety. Sleep dentistry may help you feel comfortable enough to begin treatment and improve your oral health.
Do you offer laughing gas?
Yes. Laughing gas may be available for patients who want help relaxing but do not need sleep dentistry. Our team can discuss whether it is appropriate for your visit.
Schedule a Sleep Dentistry Consultation
You do not have to let dental fear keep you from a healthier smile. Dr. Corbyn Rhodes and Dr. Angela Windsor would be happy to meet with you, answer your questions, and explain whether sleep dentistry or sedation dentistry in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma may be right for you.
Call 405-751-6996 today or contact us online to schedule your no-charge consultation at Advances in Dentistry.
12320 Saint Andrews Dr.,
405-751-6996