Sedation Dentistry
Regularly going to the dentist is crucial for your health — but with dental anxiety, the process can be harder than it sounds.
The team at Atlanta West Dentistry understands completely. To make treatment easier and more comfortable, we offer sedation dentistry. Find calming, personalized care on your own terms at our Marietta, GA, office.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
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Essentially, sedation dentistry is an umbrella term that refers to the different methods we use to help you feel calm and comfortable during treatment. Our Marietta, GA, dental office features oral sedatives, IV sedation, and nitrous oxide, so we can tailor your sedation to your needs.
Approximately 36% of adults in the United States have some degree of dental anxiety. According to the Cleveland Clinic
The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Get the Care You Need
Dental anxiety, a sensitive gag reflex, or difficulty sitting still can make you put off the care you need, causing more pain and widespread damage. With sedation dentistry options, you no longer have to fear treatment. Our dentists can get to work repairing your smile as soon as you're relaxed and ready.
Overcome Your Fears
Our Marietta team understands that many patients have had poor past experiences with dentists, which have caused them to forgo dental care altogether. With sedation dentistry, you can relax throughout treatment and grow to trust our dental team. Once you feel more confident, you may not need sedation dentistry for routine procedures anymore.
Receive Effective Treatment
When you're at ease in the dental chair, our team can work quickly and more effectively. Your treatment can be shorter and more precise when we don't have to accommodate nervous movements or worry about you feeling uncomfortable.
What Do You Offer?
The dentists at our Marietta practice offer several ways to help you relax during your visit, from several types of sedation dentistry to an advanced local anesthesia system:
As the least intensive option, nitrous oxide is completely adjustable. We'll administer the gas through a mask, changing the amount dispensed if necessary. This is also the only sedation that allows you to drive home after your visit, since it wears off quickly. For your peace of mind, though, you can also arrange to have someone take you home.
Our mild-to-moderate sedation option, oral conscious sedation is a sedative medication prescribed by one of our dentists. You'll take this medication orally before your appointment. Because the medication will impact your ability to drive, you'll need a trusted friend or family member to take you to and from your dental treatment.
Our strongest dental sedation option is IV sedation. It's administered directly into your veins, allowing you to drift off. This type of sedation is usually best for more in-depth procedures involving oral surgery, like dental implant placement or full mouth reconstruction. Like with oral sedation, someone will need to drive you here and back.
Many patients fear the syringe needles typically used for local anesthesia. Our team uses something called "the Wand" to address pain at its source – without a needle in sight. The Wand is a small pen-like tool that will quickly and virtually painlessly apply a numbing medication to the treatment site. Thanks to the Wand, more patients are able to relax during their visit.
Sedation Makes Dental Care Possible for Many Patients With Dental Anxiety
After breaking a tooth, our patient gathered the courage to seek care. She visited another dentist, who referred her to our team. We're proud to have made such a difference in her dental anxiety. Now, she's able to visit us for the treatment she needs — and she truly feels like family.
How Do We Address Dental Anxiety? Visit a Team With a Three-Pronged Approach
We create personalized plans to address your needs, with three different ways to help keep you comfortable during your visit:
Sedation Dentistry & Anesthesia
At our Marietta office, we feature multiple kinds of sedation dentistry, like oral medication and nitrous oxide. Though they're one of the most important parts of creating comfortable dental care, our team rounds them out with other steps to truly alleviate your anxiety.
Transparent Treatment
Simply knowing how your dental treatment will work and how to maintain your oral health can go a long way. We'll explain each step of your visit, so you always know what's happening. And of course, if you have any questions, we encourage you to ask them.
A Caring Team
We're in the business of dentistry because we genuinely care about you and your family. By treating you with compassion and understanding, we can make it easy to trust the dentist again.
Curious about our comprehensive plan to make going to the dentist as easy as possible? Contact us or call
(770) 941-6979
How We Go the Extra Mile for Our Marietta, GA, Patients
Alison Whitehead
Marietta, GA
2024
My 13 year old daughter needed a root canal and was terrified. I looked for a place that practiced sedation dentistry and found Atlanta West. They were fantastic from our first visit to them reaching out after the procedure to check on her. Everyone is very friendly and professional. They put my daughter at ease and did a fantastic job.
View on GoogleKathleen McCloud
Marietta, GA
2024
I highly recommend your consideration of this practice for all your dental needs, you will not be disappointed. The staff is welcoming and compassionate, Dr.Watson is awesome!!! I love the special care provided while waiting for my crown to be created on site, the warm blanket and ceiling tv were a treat during the long procedure. The assisting team was always present and checking to see if I was comfortable. Any angst I had was diminished.
View on GoogleElite Training Through DOCS
Drs. Cameron and Travis Watson have completed training in sedation dentistry through the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS). Courses require at-home study and in-person clinical training. Our dentists completed the program in 2004 and have been safely administering sedation to patients ever since.
We Offer Sedation for Patients With Special Needs
Our Marietta team truly cares about the entire community. We're proud to offer treatment for patients with special needs, including sedation dentistry.
Sedation can help patients stay still, feel calm, and avoid discomfort — and because we conduct personalized treatment, we can ensure that all our patients receive the care they need. To learn more about our individualized approach, reach out to our friendly office staff.
"My experience with my adult special needs son at the dental clinic was truly exceptional; the front desk staff swiftly accommodated us, and during the consultation, every team member exuded utmost friendliness, professionalism, and helpfulness. Their clear explanations of the procedures and thoughtful treatment plans have solidified my decision to entrust my son's dental care to them without hesitation." Christy Benton
Paying for Treatment
While sedation dentistry is not usually covered by insurance, our team can work with you to make treatment accessible. For instance, we accept financing from well-known lenders like CareCredit®, Proceed, and Sunbit. We also have an in-house dental savings plan.
New Possibilities Await With Sedation Dentistry
We offer multiple types of sedation dentistry, allowing our team to customize treatment to your needs. Sedation can be an option for nearly all procedures, from routine cleanings and exams to full mouth reconstruction. Some of the dental procedures that are most often paired with sedation include:
FAQ About Dental Sedation
Is sedation safe for children?
While not all forms of sedation are safe for all ages, our Marietta office has something for everyone. If your child needs sedation for a filling or tooth extraction, we may recommend nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. Laughing gas is a light form of sedation that can be easily controlled.Do I need to take time off work if I receive sedation?
If you receive nitrous oxide sedation, you can return to work quickly after your appointment as the gas wears off in a few minutes. If you receive IV or oral sedation, you may need a full day to recover from the effects before returning to work or school.
What does dental sedation feel like?
It depends on the type of sedation we use, but many patients find themselves in a state of deep relaxation while still being able to respond to our dentist. Some patients may drift off to sleep during their procedure and some may have no memory of their treatment.Are there any side effects?
While many patients won't experience side effects from sedation, you may experience nausea, vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, lightheadedness, dry mouth, or other side effects in the 24 hours after receiving sedation. We'll work carefully to minimize side effects by customizing the type and amount of sedation we recommend.Who cannot receive sedation?
You cannot receive sedation if you are pregnant, have a history of reactions to the sedative, or are in poor overall health. Our dentists will always review your medical history to ensure you're a candidate for sedation before moving forward with your procedure. In addition, you will be monitored throughout your appointment to ensure a safe and effective visit.
Why Does Marietta, GA, Trust Us? Let Our Happy Patients Explain
Keisha Lee
Marietta, GA
2024
I have been a patient at Atlanta West Dentistry for many years now. Each visit reaffirms why I continue to remain with this practice! Brooke, my hygienist, always does a wonderful job with my cleanings. She has such a pleasant personality and makes each visit a fun, enjoyable experience. Dr. Travis Watson is just as nice and always makes me feel at ease. He always take the time to answer any questions I may have. I never leave the office without understanding how my dental health is doing. I could not recommend Atlanta West more.
View on GoogleBrian Hayes
Marietta, GA
2024
The team at this dental office is great! Beth, my hygienist, really knows how to make me feel at ease. She pays attention to how I like things done and adjusts accordingly, whether it's the pressure during cleaning or taking breaks. She's great at making sure I'm comfortable throughout the whole visit and always has great stories to share. The dentists are very friendly and easy to talk to. They make an effort to connect with you, which makes going to the dentist a much nicer experience. They will also listen to any worries or questions that I have and take the time to address them properly.
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