Experience Anxiety-Free Dental Care at Ambis Dental
If you’ve been postponing dental treatment due to fear or anxiety, it’s time to discover how sedation dentistry can help. Our Ithaca dental team welcomes patients from throughout Tompkins County, including Varna, Lansing, and Dryden.
At Ambis Dental in Ithaca, NY, we understand that dental anxiety affects many patients. Our sedation dentistry options help patients with dental phobias receive the dental care they need without fear or discomfort. Call our general dentist in Ithaca today at 607-272-1874 to discover how sedation dentistry can transform your dental experience.
Interdisciplinary Expertise with Ambis & Ambis
Ambis Dental offers patients the distinctive advantage of a truly interdisciplinary team. With Dr. Edward Ambis’s dental expertise complemented by Dr. Dotti Ambis’s medical background as a family physician, the practice provides an uncommon level of comprehensive healthcare perspective. This collaboration between dental and medical disciplines allows for more thorough evaluation of complex cases where oral health intersects with broader medical conditions.
The entire staff, including long-term team members like Sarah Shaff who has been with the practice since 2003, contributes to a cohesive care environment built on experience and stability. Each team member brings specialized training and certification in their respective areas, including membership in professional organizations like the Association of Dental Implant Auxiliaries and Practice Management, ensuring that patients receive expert care at every stage of their treatment journey.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. This approach is sometimes called “sleep dentistry,” although most patients remain awake except those under general anesthesia. Sedation dentistry addresses a common issue: many people avoid the dentist due to fear or anxiety. These fears prevent necessary dental care, leading to deteriorating oral health.
At Ambis Dental in Ithaca, we offer various sedation options designed to accommodate different anxiety levels and treatment needs. Each method has specific benefits, making dental visits more comfortable for even the most anxious patients.
Key Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Anxiety Relief
Dental anxiety ranges from mild nervousness to severe phobia. Sedation dentistry reduces these feelings significantly. Patients who previously avoided dental appointments find they can sit through procedures with minimal stress. This breakthrough allows for regular dental care, preventing serious oral health issues that often develop when treatment is postponed.
Pain Management
Sedation works alongside local anesthetics to create a virtually pain-free experience. While local anesthesia numbs specific areas, sedation decreases overall sensitivity and awareness. This combination provides optimal comfort during procedures that might otherwise cause discomfort. Many patients report feeling little to no pain during their treatment.
Time Perception Alteration
Lengthy dental procedures can feel overwhelming. Sedation alters time perception, making even hour-long appointments seem brief. This psychological benefit helps patients who struggle with sitting still for extended periods. Patients often express surprise at how quickly their appointment seemed to pass.
Reduced Gag Reflex
A sensitive gag reflex can interfere with dental work, particularly procedures involving the back of the mouth. Sedation minimizes this reflex, allowing dentists to work efficiently without triggering discomfort. This benefit is particularly valuable during impressions, x-rays, and restorative procedures.
Perfect for Complex Procedures
Major dental work often requires multiple hours in the chair. Sedation makes complex treatments more manageable by keeping patients comfortable throughout extended appointments. This approach allows dentists to complete more work in fewer visits, reducing the overall treatment timeline.
Memory Suppression
Many sedation methods produce an amnesic effect, meaning patients remember little about their procedure afterward. This benefit helps break the cycle of dental anxiety by preventing new negative memories from forming. Patients don’t accumulate additional fearful experiences, making future appointments less stressful.
Types of Dental Sedation Available in Ithaca
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous oxide provides mild sedation through a comfortable mask placed over the nose. The gas takes effect quickly, inducing a state of relaxation while allowing patients to remain fully conscious. Its effects dissipate rapidly after the gas supply stops, making it the only sedation option that allows patients to drive themselves home afterward.
Benefits of Nitrous Oxide:
- Quick onset and recovery
- Easily adjustable sedation level
- Minimal side effects
- Safe for most patients, including children
- No pre-procedure fasting required
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation involves taking a prescribed pill shortly before your appointment. This method produces moderate sedation effects, creating a deeply relaxed state while maintaining consciousness. Many patients become drowsy and may even fall asleep during treatment but can be easily awakened with a gentle shake.
Benefits of Oral Sedation:
- No needles required
- Stronger effects than nitrous oxide
- Creates pronounced anxiety relief
- Partial memory suppression
- Simple administration process