No More Stressful Dental Appointments with Sedation Dentistry
Dental anxiety affects millions of Americans, stemming from past negative experiences, fear of needles, sensitivity to sounds and smells, etc. Unfortunately, dental-phobic patients put off necessary dental care, suffering the onslaught of gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental issues.
Do you have dental fear or low pain tolerance? Sedation dentistry in Glen Carbon, Illinois, can help you enjoy dental care again. With oral and IV sedation, Kellerman Dental can elevate your dental experience regardless of the type of treatment. Visit our office today and discover your stress-free dental care with sedation dentistry.
Sedation Dentistry at Kellerman Dental explained by Dr. Kevin Kellerman
What is sedation dentistry?
Hi, my name is Dr. Kevin Kellerman with Kellerman Dental in Glen Carbon, Illinois.
If you are afraid of going to the dentist, sedation dentistry may be the option you’re looking for to help you overcome your dental anxiety.
What are the sedation options available at Kellerman Dental?
At Kellerman Dental, we utilize oral sedation. Oral sedation is easy. You take a few pills to help you relax before you come to your appointment.
When you come in for your appointment, you are much more relaxed than usual, and it’s easier for you to receive the treatment you need and desire.
How does oral sedation work?
While you are sedated using oral sedation, you are very likely to fall asleep while we work on your teeth.
You will be able to wake up and talk to me, if necessary, and you won’t be completely knocked out. However, it will be much more comfortable for you.
All of our patients who utilize oral sedation in our practice love it, and it was the final thing they needed to help them receive the care they needed and wanted.
Who needs sedation dentistry?
If you fear the dentist, don’t feel embarrassed about speaking up. It’s a common issue and affects children and adults alike. We take your concerns seriously and offer a compassionate, judgment-free environment.
Let’s discuss sedation dentistry if you have:
- Mild to severe dental fear
- Inability to numb with local anesthetics
- Low tolerance to pain
- Strong gag reflex
- Are undergoing complex treatment
- Have very sensitive teeth
Your oral health matters, and we wouldn’t let dental fear get in the way. Our compassionate dental team is here to help you feel confident and relaxed every step of the way.
What are the available sedation dentistry options?
No two patients are alike, and neither are their comfort needs. That’s why we offer personalized sedation options to help ease your anxiety. Whether your fear is mild or more intense, we’ll ensure your visit is calm, comfortable, and stress-free.
- Oral conscious sedation: Sometimes, overcoming dental fear is as simple as taking a small pill. With oral conscious sedation, your Glen Carbon sedation dentist will prescribe an anti-anxiety medication, typically taken about an hour before your appointment. This sedation helps you enter a state of deep relaxation, allowing you to feel calm, drowsy, and detached from the sights and sounds of the dental environment. You’ll remain conscious and able to respond to instructions, but many patients remember little to nothing about the procedure. You’ll need a ride home after treatment because of the lingering sedation effects.
- IV sedation: IV sedation is excellent for those with moderate to severe dental anxiety or undergoing lengthy, complex procedures. The anti-anxiety medication is administered directly into the bloodstream through an IV line in your hand, and it takes effect within minutes. The sedation level can be adjusted from minimal to deep. Regardless of the sedation level, you’ll not be unconscious, but you may sleep through your procedure and have no memory of it.
Sedation Dentistry at Kellerman Dental
Here in our office, we found that a lot of our patients really value the idea of having sedation dentistry. The best candidates for sedation dentistry are the people who have maybe put off going to the dentist for one, two, or seven or eight years or more, or patients who just get really worked up and they just don’t look forward to their visit. So we found that through sedation dentistry, we can really ease their fears, calm their bodies, and put them in a state where they’re more relaxed and able to get the treatment that they really want. We have several sedation options for patients in our practice. We have nitrous oxide, we also do oral sedation, and we also do IV sedation. One common question our patients have about our sedation options are, how deeply will I be sedated? Will it be like I’m having surgery in the hospital? The answer is no. We don’t sedate you to a point where you’re unconscious. You’re always able to breathe on your own and you will fall asleep, but we’ll be able to wake you up just by shaking your arm or speaking loudly.
I had implants put in underneath here, and the process wasn’t bad because he does sedation, which is really nice. I mean, I have a fear of dental work, so it really helped out a lot, and I’m really happy with my smile.
We always want to be very thorough in planning for sedation, thorough review of health history, understanding needs, goals, and desires, speaking with our registered nurse on our team about any questions you may have about the process, and then finally at the end of it, making sure you’re comfortable and ready to go before your next visit. If you’re interested in exploring the idea of sedation dentistry, then the best thing to do is to schedule a free consultation with our practice and we’ll talk about your options and find the one that suits you best.
Why is sedation dentistry important?
Sedation dentistry in Glen Carbon, Illinois, is welcome news for anyone with dental anxiety or fear. You no longer have to put off necessary dental care because Drs. Kevin Kellerman and Jesse Snyder are committed to making every visit comfortable with sedation dentistry.
Here’s why sedation dentistry is worth considering.
- Reduces anxiety and fear for patients with dental phobia
- Allows more work to be done in fewer visits
- Minimizes pain and sensitivity during procedures
- Improves overall patient attitude towards dental care
- Regular dental care means optimal oral health
Ready to meet your sedation dentist?
Kellerman Dental in Glen Carbon, IL, goes out of its way to ensure that every patient receives high-quality dental care in a warm and relaxing environment. We’ve helped countless individuals with dental anxiety feel at ease—and we’re confident we can help you, too. Please call (618) 228-3100 to discuss your options.
We welcome patients from Glen Carbon, Edwardsville, and other Metro-East communities.
Dr. Kevin Kellerman is an alumnus of Pinckneyville Community High School, Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, and SIUE School of Dental Medicine from where he obtained his doctorate.
A full-time dental practitioner, he also lectures on various topics. He is affiliated with many professional bodies including the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, American Orthodontic Society, Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Association, and the Glen Carbon/Edwardsville Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Kellerman and team are known for higher levels of service and patient care and for utilizing advanced technologies in treatments. He also participates in community projects and believes in giving back to the community that he serves.
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