9314 East Central Avenue, Wichita, Kansas 67206

Sedation
Options

If the thought of visiting the dentist fills you with anxiety and fear, you’re not alone – actually, a majority of Americans today report experiencing some level of dental phobia.

Drs. Ernie Belen and Mary Ann Chang are sensitive to the nervous feelings patients often have; however, we also want to make sure that you receive the dental care you need to keep your smile happy and healthy. That’s where our sedation dentistry services come in.

These methods are designed to take the edge off negative feelings you may have when you visit our office, allowing you to instead stay at ease, as we handle all the work.

We offer the following:

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is an ideal sedation option if you only experience mild anxiety or discomfort when attending dental appointments. Also known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is administered through a mask that fits over your nose, and it induces feelings of comfort and warmth, allowing you to enter a more deeply relaxed state.

Unlike other sedation dentistry methods, nitrous oxide wears off in a matter of minutes once the mask is removed, which means that you can go back home, run errands, and even drive right after you leave our office – no downtime is required!

Oral Sedation

If you experience moderate to severe dental anxiety, you might find that nitrous oxide doesn’t do enough for you. Thankfully, oral sedation can provide a much stronger effect.

The process is simple – during your initial appointment, we will provide you with a prescription for an anti-anxiety medication, as well as instructions to take it a little while before your procedure. Then, you’ll need a trusted friend or family member to bring you to our Wichita office, where we’ll ensure that you feel completely comfortable and relaxed before beginning with your treatment.

Finally, once we’re finished, that same companion will take you home. The effects of the medication should be gone the following day. While patients who undergo oral sedation are conscious enough to respond to commands, the treatment has an almost amnesic effect, meaning that they have very few (if any) memories of the treatment. Instead, you get to experience the beautiful results without any of the anxiety!

IV Sedation

Like oral sedation, IV sedation is also recommended if you struggle with moderate to severe dental phobia. Instead of taking oral medicine, the effects of the sedation will be delivered intravenously, creating a deep, calm feeling that will render you pleasantly detached from the procedure.

We’ll be sure to monitor your vital signs throughout the entire process, as well as create a dosage that fits your unique case. IV sedation also has an amnesic effect, and you will need a trusted companion to drive you home following your procedure, as well as keep an eye on you until you’ve recovered from the effects.