Fear and anxiety related to dental visits are extremely common. Whether you've had a bad experience in the past, have a strong gag reflex or have an aversion to the sights and sounds, you may lose sleep the night before your appointment. Or you may be tempted to avoid regular dental visits.
It's not surprising that many dentists have taken extra steps to help patients feel more at ease. If you have dental anxiety or phobia, it can help to find a practice that specializes in caring for fearful patients. Be sure to let the staff and dentist know about your concerns so you can discuss your options for care. And if you'll be given some sort of sedation, find out if you'll need to ask a friend or family member to drive you home and stay with you until its effects wear off.
These metro Atlanta dental offices will help ease your fears so you can get the dental care you need:
Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry
5014 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta. 404-847-9711.
Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry uses several different types of sedation and relaxation. The practice has its own full-time massage therapist who can give in-chair head and neck, hand and arm or foot massages. Oral medication can also be prescribed in advance, and the practice also offers nitrous oxide as an option.
2296 Henderson Mill Road, Atlanta. 404-325-2906.
Artistic Dentistry of Atlanta specializes in caring for anxious patients. The practice offers sedation that ranges from nitrous oxide to oral medication to full IV sedation.
300 W. Wieuca Road NE, Atlanta. 404-252-4220.
Chastain Dental can prescribe oral medication to make you feel drowsy if you're fearful. When you arrive for your appointment, you'll be given a warm blanket and neck pillow to help you relax while you're in the dental chair. Depending on your particular needs and the amount of treatment required, you may also be given additional sedation.
611 Campbell Hill St. SW, Atlanta. 770-980-6336.
This practice specializes in patients that need special care, including those that are fearful or have special needs. Nitrous oxide, oral medication, IV medication or anesthetic gases can be used individually or in combination. Procedures can also be performed in Wellstar Windy Hill Hospital while the patient is under general sedation.
2285 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta. 678-666-3642.
Pure Dental Health aims to create a comfortable, spa-like experience with hot scented towels and blankets and noise-canceling headphones, among other amenities. Nitrous oxide, oral sedative medications and IV sedation dentistry are also offered.
4355 Suwanee Dam Road, Suwanee. 770-614-7300.
Suwanee Dental Care provides oral medication for fearful patients, and it can also be supplemented by nitrous oxide (laughing gas) when needed. IV sedation is also available. The practice specializes in microdentistry (minimally invasive dentistry) and alternatives to drilling.
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