Joseph P. Cavallo DDS, MAGD Fear of the dentist is a common complaint among patients of all ages. In many cases, dental anxiety is due to a bad or painful experience at the dentist in the past. Far too often, fear of more pain keeps people from visiting the dentist for years at a time. Unfortunately, avoiding dental visits can allow more serious problems to develop, leading to more pain over the long run. Building good relationships between dentists and patients can help, and Dr. Joseph Cavallo is dedicated to relationship-based dentistry. But sometimes this isn’t enough. Fortunately, there is a solution: sedation dentistry.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is just what it sounds like: the patient is sedated during the dental procedure. Sedation can help the patient feel more relaxed, and can also allow Dr. Cavallo to complete more than one procedure during a single visit. This can minimize visits and minimize your anxiety.

Types of Sedation

At the Woodbridge, Virginia office of Dr. Joseph Cavallo, we offer three types of sedative for your dental procedure: oral sedation, nitrous oxide sedation, and intravenous sedation. Our staff will meet with you to discuss your personal medical needs and decide on the type of sedation that will be best for you and your procedure.

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation is administered in pill form. This form of sedation does not put the patient to sleep; the patient remains awake and responsive, and an adjustable dose means you can receive exactly the level of sedation needed. This allows the patient to relax while also cooperating with the dentist. Most patients who use this sedative method report no memory of the procedure after they recover.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas, is a very popular option for many kinds of dental procedures and is Dr. Cavallo’s preferred method. This method also allows the patient to remain awake and cooperative throughout the procedure. The benefits of this method are that the gas acts very quickly and also has a fast recovery. The gas is administered through a special mask, and once the mask is removed takes only a few minutes to wear off. Most patients can drive themselves home after treatment with nitrous oxide.

IV Sedation

IV or intravenous sedation is one of the stronger sedatives offered at our Woodbridge, Virginia office. Dr. Cavallo works closely with a local board-certified anesthesiologist, who will visit the office on the day of your treatment and monitor you closely throughout the entirety of your procedure. This heavy sedation is ideal for allowing Dr. Cavallo to complete multiple treatments in one appointment.

Is It Safe?

Many people consider safety their number one concern when it comes to sedation dentistry. The oral sedative dose is typically quite low and has been approved by the American Dental Association. Laughing gas is a minimal and extremely safe option that has been in use for over 150 years. A highly qualified and experienced anesthesiologist will monitor you throughout your IV sedation, for the safest experience possible.

Schedule an Appointment

If you have been avoiding dental visits due to dental anxiety, consider sedation dentistry to get the care you need. Contact the office of Dr. Cavallo DDS, MAGD online or at (703) 493-1203 and ask about sedation dentistry today.

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