Savage, MN -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/10/2013 -- At Smiles of Distinction, all of the staff members have years of working experience in looking after the special needs and worries of more fearful patients. “We are going to do almost anything to tailor the appointment to your needs and worries – even if this means that we merely sit and discuss your worries. You can relax, you’re in very good hands,” says Dr. Schultz.

Recent technological developments have meant that on many occasions, dentists can get rid of loud drills and give quick and efficient care. Additionally, there are a wide variety of safe anesthetics available to do away with pain and decrease stress and anxiety during routine appointments. Smiles of Distinction has also been uniquely designed to put you at ease by getting rid of many of the items, noises and smells of a normal dental office you might associate with your past dental appointments.

Dr. Schultz and Smiles of Distinction’s team have effective sedation capabilities. We can provide many levels of comfort treatment options. A comfort treatment option is topical and local anesthesia. Dr. Schultz begins with a topical solution that ‘pre-numbs’ the injection area. Then the local anesthesia is used to completely numb the area being treated. This temporarily blocks feeling to the nerve and should last one to two hours or longer. Another option is nitrous oxide gas and studies have proven that nitrous oxide gas (laughing gas) is the first and best option for fearful patients. A patient that was anxious going into treatment has become relaxed and calm.

There are no negatives to conscious sedation, but many pluses. One of the major benefits of oral conscious sedation dentistry is that people often feel like their dental procedure lasts a few minutes, when in fact it might have taken hours to perform. Therefore, complex dental procedures such as complete smile makeovers or extensive smile restoration procedures that normally require multiple visits can often be performed in fewer, but longer, appointments. In fact, some patients, who have no fear of the dentist whatsoever, are using sedation dentistry to pack three or four dental appointments into one long one that they won’t remember.

The most dramatic option is general anesthesia (IV Sedation). This is a technology used for patients who are terrified to see a dentist and who suffer from poor oral health as a consequence of their fear. At Dr. Schultz’s practice, a highly qualified specialist anesthetist attends your dental appointment and gives you medication intravenously that relaxes you completely. Even in your deeply relaxed state, you can understand Dr. Schultz if he tells you something or asks you to open your mouth wider. “When the procedure is completed, you immediately wake and you won’t remember any of the dentistry,” remarks Dr. Schultz. "Pulse, blood pressure and respiration are continually monitored throughout the procedure. The body rapidly metabolizes these types of anesthetic agents, allowing for a quick recovery. Talk and ask about all the choices of sedation dentistry and decide on the one that is most effective and generates minimal anxiety,” states Dr. Schultz.

There are ways to help reduce dental anxiety and fear - speak with Dr. Schultz, though it can be hard to speak about illogical fears with a stranger. Dr. Schultz can take added precautions during appointments if fears and anxiety are conveyed. If you enjoy music, bring a portable music player. Music acts as a relaxant as well as drowns out any fear-producing noises. Enjoying your favorite calming music in the course of this appointment will help to lower anxiety.

Agree with Dr. Schultz on a signal as many individuals are frightened the dentist is not going to know they are in substantial discomfort while in the appointment, and will carry on the procedure regardless. The simplest way to fix this issue is to decide on a “stop” hand signal with the dentist. Both sides can easily understand signs like raising the arm or gently tapping on the chair.

Merely getting through the front door for a consultation can be a momentous success for some patients. Dr. Schultz explains, “I understand the importance of that very first step and I’m devoted to offering empathy and beginning a partnership created on trustworthiness.”