ANXIETY CONTROLLED DENTISTRY

Hey, anxiety makes everybody nervous. The American Dental Association estimates that about 20% of the population does not see a dentist because of fear and anxiety. A dentist has two paths to help a concerned patient control this apprehension: anxiety addressing medication or sedation.

Medication

Every dentist can provide oral medications to take the "edge off" a patient's anxiety, but only a few certified dentist, like Dr. Porter, can provide inhalation agents in office like nitrous oxide "laughing gas."

Sedation

Sedation dentistry is when intravenous sedation or general anesthesia is used to sedate a patient. Only a doctor with anesthesia training can perform sedation. Dr. Porter in conjunction with a general anesthesiologist has performed several sedation cases in her office. She is also on staff at Azle's Harris Northwest Hospital to provide her more apprehensive patients safer sedation choices.

In both cases, there will be some tenderness in the proceeding hours. Dr. Porter has a 24-hour emergency number to help any patient manage soreness. It's (817) 683-8091.

Everybody has anxiety; you can control it. Make that call and set up an appointment. Your smile will thank you.