Designing Smiles
For your comfort we have massage built right into your dental chair, warm pillows and blankets, movies and television with headphones, lip balm, refreshments, and free WiFi for you to enjoy. Relax, sit back and let us spoil you!
Sedation Dentistry
Many people are afraid and uncomfortable going to the dentist. You are not alone. Dental fear is a very common fear. Dr. Hilton-Foley has had more than 18 years of experience helping those that are in need of dentistry, but are afraid to see the dentist. You'd be surprised to hear, most people have put off needed dentistry because of their fear. In the majority of cases, Dr. Hilton-Foley is able to work with patients without the need for sedation, because of her gentle touch and caring manner. For those people that are simply too afraid to even start treatment, much less make and keep their appointment, we want you to know that you have the option available for oral sedation or anxiety medication to help you relax, both prior to your appointment, and on the day of your appointment. With sedation, you can have the work done that you need, and miraculously, have NO MEMORY of even going to your appointment! For people with dental fear, this is a welcomed thought! Give us a call at 813-891-1212, and we'd be happy to talk to you about this exciting treatment.
HOW DOES SEDATION WORK?
With either oral conscious sedation (one pill taken before the appointment) or nitrous oxide (laughing gas), patients who are normally unable to have their dentistry done due to fear, can now have it done while sedated! The patient "wakes up" from their appointment with most, if not all of their dentistry performed, and they have little or no memory of their appointment. The patient doesn't actually go to sleep, but instead, they stay in a "mentally detached" state. In other words they remain conscious throughout their appointment, and are always able to respond. The sedation generally lasts anywhere from 4-8 hours, and the patient will need a responsible driver and companion the entire day and evening of the procedure.
Sedation Dentistry, also called relaxed dentistry, is a pain-free and anxiety-free solution for those who are:
How does it work?
Basically you make an appointment to come to our office to meet the doctor and staff. If you feel comfortable enough to have x-rays taken on the first day, we will take the ones that we need in order to inform you of your dental needs. Sometimes this can be the hardest step for many people. We understand that and will help you through the process. If you aren't able to take x rays, that's okay, too. We can do a trial run sedation, on another day, to clean your teeth and take x rays while under a short acting medication that mildly sedates you. Once you are evaluated, you will be given a prescribed medication, that you will take the morning of your appointment. You will be monitored continuously for blood pressure, heart rhythm, and oxygen saturation level throughout your treatment while sedated. Once the treatment is complete, and the sedation is worn off, you will be released to your companion, who must stay with you overnight. You will need a driver/companion both to and from your appointment, as well as, during your appointment.
Most people are really surprised that their visit was much better than they have ever imagined, and almost all wished that they had done it sooner. We hope that understanding and reading about the process helps you to feel comfortable. We are here to help you through the entire process. If this describes or sounds likes something that you would like to find out more about, please call our office at (813) 891-1212. We'd be happy to discuss it with you.
OUR PROMISE: Please know that you will not be lectured to, or made to feel embarrassed if you have avoided treatment, that is never acceptable to us!
On the contrary, we are always glad to see people who have avoided the dentist for years, finally come in to the office! It is our mission to help those people get the help and care, that they so desperately need, in a caring,and gentle manner. We promise that you don't ever need to worry about feeling judged, or embarrassed. We have seen lots of patients and most likely there are people that we have seen, who are in much worse condition than you! We see it everyday! So, please let that part of the fear go! You don't need to worry about that in our office! We will make every effort to make you feel comfortable.
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Dr. Angela Hilton-Foley is a proud Member of the Dental Organization for Oral Conscious Sedation, DOCS.