No one ever wants to find out they need to have a cavity filled—but for some patients, it can be an anxiety-producing experience. If you feel this way, don’t worry! It’s completely natural to feel anxious about dental procedures, including cavity fillings. Many patients have some form of dental anxiety that makes them hesitant to avoid the dentist or avoid seeing one entirely. However, this can lead to worsening issues down the road.

At Dr. Buzza’s office, we understand dental anxiety and are dedicated to making your dental experience as comfortable and carefree as possible. Here’s how we can help make your cavity filling go smoothly. 

Understanding the Cavity Filling Procedure

One of the best ways to lessen your anxiety is to understand what happens during a cavity filling—that way, there are no surprises!

First, we’ll start with an initial exam and dental x-rays. This will allow us to assess your damaged tooth and detect any fractures or decay accurately. After we’ve determined the best treatment for your tooth, we’ll prepare it for a filling. We’ll numb the affected area with a local anesthetic so that you don’t feel any pain. For those with heightened anxiety, Dr. Buzza offers both oral and IV dental sedation options (more on that below!) which allows you to feel deeply relaxed throughout the procedure. 

Once the area is numb, we carefully remove any decay and clean the tooth. This ensures your tooth is free from bacteria and debris before we place the filling. Then, we apply a Mercury-free resin filling that matches the color of your teeth. The filling is shaped and hardened, and then polished. Before we send you on your way, we make sure the filling fits perfectly with your bite so that it feels natural and doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort.

Easing Your Anxiety with Sedation Dentistry

Although filling a cavity is pretty quick and straightforward, we know that having an understanding of the procedure may still not be enough to banish anxiety entirely. That’s why we also offer dental sedation. Whether you’d like moderate sedation to relax or would prefer to sleep away your visit, we have solutions to make your filling procedure completely stress-free. 

Oral Sedation: With oral sedation, we give you a small blue pill to take before your appointment. It will make you feel sleepy and relaxed, so you’ll need to have someone drive you to and from the office. During your visit, you’ll feel quite groggy and may fall asleep—but you’ll still be able to communicate with our dental team if needed. 

IV Sedation: Dr. Buzza is proud to be a certified leader in IV sedation dentistry in Santa Rosa. With IV sedation, you’ll receive a carefully controlled dose of sedative medication directly into your bloodstream. It works quickly and helps you sleep away your appointment—an ideal choice for those who need a deeper level of relaxation during their dental procedures. You likely won’t remember much of your visit—and as with oral sedation, you’ll need someone to drive you home. 

Dental sedation is safe and comfortable, and it has the added benefit of speeding up healing times. Once we’re finished with your filling, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and clear-headed!

Schedule an Appointment Today to See How Stress-Free Dentistry Can Be

If you’ve been postponing dental care due to anxiety or have been searching online for a “dentist for nervous patients near me,” let us help you take that step towards a healthier smile in a calm and caring environment. Schedule your appointment with us and experience dentistry where your comfort and well-being come first. Call the Buzza Dental Group today at 707-573-0600 or request an appointment online.

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