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Feeling anxious before oral surgery is completely normal. Whether you are scheduled for a tooth extraction, dental implant, or another procedure, concerns about pain, recovery, and the unknown can make even the calmest patient uneasy.
The good news? With the right preparation, you can walk into your appointment feeling relaxed and at ease.
Below, we will share practical mental preparation strategies, explain how sedation dentistry can help, and outline what to expect before, during, and after your procedure.
Table of Contents
- Understand Your Procedure
- Explore Sedation Options
- Practice Relaxation Techniques Beforehand
- Arrange Your Support System
- Prepare Your Recovery Space
- Focus on the Positive Outcomes
- Book an Appointment With Foley & Le in Boulder, CO
- FAQs
Understand Your Procedure
Knowledge is one of the best antidotes to fear. During your consultation:
- Ask your oral surgeon to explain the procedure step-by-step.
- Review any imaging (like X-rays or 3D scans) so you understand what they are seeing.
- Discuss the expected recovery timeline and follow-up care.
When you know exactly what’s going to happen, you remove much of the uncertainty that fuels anxiety.
Explore Sedation Options
At Foley & Le Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, we provide a full range of sedation options so you can feel as comfortable and stress-free as possible during your procedure. Whether you need mild relaxation or a deeper level of sedation, we will help you choose the best fit for your needs and medical history.
Our options include:
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas): A light, fast-acting sedation inhaled through a mask to help you feel calm without lingering effects. Unlike the other forms of sedation, patients can drive themselves home after having laughing gas.
- Oral conscious sedation: A prescription pill taken before your appointment to help you feel relaxed from start to finish. An escort is required to drive the patient home safely..
- IV moderate and deep sedation: Administered directly into your bloodstream for a deeper level of comfort. Many patients doze and remember little of the procedure. Fasting for 8 hours is required prior to surgery. An escort is required to drive the patient home safely.
- General anesthesia: For complex or lengthy surgeries, this option allows you to be completely unconscious and unaware during treatment. Fasting for 8 hours is required prior to surgery. An escort is required to drive the patient home safely.
During your consultation, our team will explain each option in detail, review your health history, and recommend the safest, most effective choice for you.
Practice Relaxation Techniques Beforehand
Learning how to calm your mind and body before surgery can make a big difference. Techniques to try include:
- Deep breathing: Inhale through your nose for a count of four, hold for four, exhale for six.
- Progressive muscle relaxation: Tense and then release each muscle group from your toes to your head.
- Guided imagery: Visualize a calming scene, like a quiet beach or mountain meadow.
Practice these in the days leading up to your procedure so they feel natural on surgery day.
Arrange Your Support System
Knowing you have someone in your corner helps reduce mental stress:
- Bring a trusted friend or family member to your appointment.
- Have them drive you home, especially if you’re having IV sedation or another form of sedation dentistry.
- Ask them to help with meals, errands, or childcare during your initial recovery period.
Prepare Your Recovery Space
Set up a comfortable, low-stress environment at home before your appointment:
- Stock up on soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, and soup.
- Have extra pillows to keep your head elevated.
- Keep entertainment handy like books, podcasts, or streaming options to distract yourself during downtime.
Focus on the Positive Outcomes
When anxiety starts to creep in, remind yourself of the benefits:
- Relief from pain or infection
- Improved oral health and function
- A more confident smile
Keeping your mind on the “why” can help you push through short-term nervousness.
Book an Appointment With Foley & Le in Boulder, CO
Taking the first step toward oral surgery is often the hardest part. Dr. Benjamin Foley, Dr. Thien-Thao Le and Dr. Michael Schiappa are here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you feel at ease from your first consultation through recovery. We will make sure you feel prepared, supported, and confident every step of the way.
To book an appointment at our oral surgery office in Boulder, CO, call (303) 444-2255 or visit us at 1420 28th St, Suite 100, Boulder, CO.
FAQs
Sedation dentistry is safe when administered by a trained professional who reviews your health history and monitors you throughout the procedure.
IV sedation puts you in a deeply relaxed state. You will be able to respond to questions but you may doze and have little memory of the procedure.
Most forms of dental sedation are not recommended during pregnancy, especially in the first or third trimester. If you are pregnant or think you might be, let your oral surgeon know before your procedure. They can work with your OB-GYN to determine the safest approach for your care.
Foley & Le Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in Boulder, CO, offer multiple sedation options to help patients feel comfortable during treatment. We welcome patients from across the area, including nearby communities like Erie, Lafayette, Lyons, Louisville and Niwot.
