San Ramon Cosmetic Dentistry Blog | Sean Michael Anderson, D.D.S.

For many people, a visit to the dentist’s office comes with fear, and anxiety. This fear can cause people to avoid undergoing common cosmetic procedures like tooth whitening and porcelain veneers. Unfortunately, it also keeps some people away from the dentist all together, leading to an increased risk for cavities, decay, and periodontal disease, all of which can be prevented or treated with regular trips to the dentist.

Fortunately, in both instances, Dr. Anderson offers sedation dentistry, a simple, safe way to help ease the anxiety you may feel when visiting a dentist – allowing you to comfortably receive both general and cosmetic dental services.

Sedation Instead of Sleep Dentistry

Oral sedation is the newest, most effective form of sedation dentistry. With oral sedation, you will feel as if you are sleeping, have no awareness of the procedure taking place, but still retain a level of consciousness. By contrast, sleep dentistry uses IV sedation or general anesthesia – both of which come with serious potential side effects, and dissolves any level of consciousness. Sedation dentistry uses sedatives that are less likely to cause adverse reactions, producing a safer, yet equally effective result.

For sedation, Dr. Anderson prescribes a sleeping pill to be taken one hour before your appointment. When you arrive, if you are still feeling nervous, an additional sleeping pill may be taken. Once you are comfortable enough, your procedure will begin and, before you know it, you'll be walking out with a healthy smile. It is important to remember that you should not drive to or from a sedation dentistry appointment.

If you live in San Ramon, Danville, or Livermore, California, and the fear and anxiety you associate with dental visits has kept you from routine checkups or cosmetic procedures you have wanted, please contact sedation dentist Dr. Sean Anderson for a free consultation to discuss your sedation options.