Take the Fear Out of Your Next Dental Visit

Do you have anxiety about seeing a dentist? Don’t worry — you’re not alone! According to studies approximately 9-20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of their fear. If you suffer from dental anxiety, we have good news — there’s a whole list of things we can do to help you relax!

1. Tell Us!

Don’t silently suffer in the chair. We may not know how to help you unless you open up to us. Sharing your concerns allows us to make your visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

2. Get Comfortable

Cuddle up in a blanket and tune out to your favorite show — each of our treatment rooms is equipped with personal TVs to help you relax and feel at ease.

If you ever need a break, simply raise your hand — we’ll pause and give you a moment to breathe.

3. Explore Sedation Options

We also offer several forms of sedation dentistry to help patients with mild to severe dental anxiety:

• Inhalation Sedation: Nitrous oxide or laughing gas is the most frequently used method for easing mild to moderate anxiety in our office — and it’s offered at cost in our office! Recovery is quick, so you can resume your normal activities right away.

• Oral Sedation: You’ll be given a prescription pill to take about an hour before your appointment. By the time you arrive, you’ll feel calm and fully relaxed.

• Intravenous (IV) Sedation: With IV sedation, a sedative is administered intravenously. The level of sedation can be adjusted throughout your procedure and maintained as long as necessary.

It takes special training to treat fearful patients — and our team has the experience and knowledge to help. Dr. Ripplinger has been treating patients with dental anxiety for over 21 years. We can ensure that every patient at Whitehaven Dental receives safe, compassionate, and comfortable care. Dental anxiety is common, but it doesn’t have to keep you from getting the care you deserve. Whether you need a simple cleaning or a more advanced procedure, we’re here to help you feel relaxed and confident every step of the way.