Dr. James S. Kim, DDS. SC

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Dr. James S. Kim, DDS. SC > Services > Sedation Dentistry

If you have anxiety over painful dental procedure, Dr. Kim offers a variety of sedation dentistry options at his Wausau, WI dental office.

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Sedation Dentistry in Wausau, WI

We know that many people experience fear and anxiety at the thought of a dental visit with symptoms ranging from mild anxiety to outright phobia. As many as 1-in-7 people report that they have avoided regular dental care because of anxiety. Unfortunately, these people may often avoid care until they are experiencing serious dental problems, which can be costly, time-intensive, and uncomfortable to treat. This validates their fear and creates a vicious cycle.

Our philosophy is that everyone deserves to have healthy teeth and an attractive smile through regular preventive dental care – even people who are afraid to see the dentist. Because we believe in this so firmly, we offer sedation dentistry options to treat even those who have a dental phobia. All of our sedation dentistry options are safe, and Dr. Kim was trained at UCLA by Dr. John A. Yagiela who is internationally recognized authority in dental anesthesia and is skilled in the use of each. We want every visit to our office to be comfortable, relaxing, and pleasant, and we will work with you to make sure that you feel safe and confident in our office.

Nitrous Oxide

Many of our patients know nitrous oxide by its other name – “laughing gas.” A mild sedative, nitrous oxide is a safe and reliable. Dentists have been using it for decades to help relax patients during treatment.

The gas is administered through a mask, similar to oxygen. As you breathe in the mixture of nitrous oxide gas and oxygen, you will feel relaxed and even euphoric. Nitrous oxide produces a warm, tingling sensation and dulls other sensations, including pain.

Unlike other forms of sedation, the effects of nitrous oxide dissipate immediately as soon as the gas is removed. You will return to full alertness after just a few deep breaths.

Oral Conscious Sedation

If you prefer oral conscious sedation, you will be prescribed a medication that you take about an hour before your scheduled appointment. The medication will then take full effect as your procedure is about to begin, relaxing you and reducing all sensation. Unlike IV sedation, you will remain conscious throughout your procedure and alert enough to talk to us and answer questions.

Unlike nitrous oxide, the effects of oral conscious sedation linger following your appointment. If you choose to receive your dental care using this sedation option, you will need to arrange for transportation to and from your dental appointment, and you will also need to plan to take it easy for the rest of the day.

IV Sedation

Wausau dentist Dr. James Kim is one of a select few general dentists in the state of Wisconsin to offer IV sedation dentistry. This option is perfect for anyone who is experiencing a true dental phobia or who needs extensive dental work.

IV sedation dentistry is very safe, and Dr. Kim is skilled and experienced in its use. Dr. Kim provides a moderate sedation that relaxes you during your procedure and results in minimal memory of your treatment. Like oral conscious sedation, you will need someone to transport you to and from your appointment, and you should plan to relax after your appointment until the medication has completely worn off.

Contact Our Wausau, WI Office Today!

To learn more about sedation dentistry and how it can help you, please contact our office today to schedule your free consultation with Dr. Kim.

Meet Our Doctor:

James S. Kim DDS

Dr. James S. Kim received his Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola University of Chicago and his DDS from the prestigious University of Illinois College of Dentistry, also in Chicago. He has maintained a private practice in Wausau with an emphasis in family, cosmetic, implant, and sedation dentistry since 2000.

Dr. Kim is committed to staying current in the dental field, attending 150-200 hours of continuing education per year. Additionally, he has trained with some of the best clinicians in the world such as Dr. Frank Spear at The Seattle Institute ...

I haven't seen a dentist in years because I'm afraid it will hurt. Can you help me?

Studies show that as many as 1 in 7 people avoid seeking dental treatment because of fear and anxiety. Unfortunately, this often means that anxious patients don’t see a dentist until pain and other serious dental problems drive them there. This reinforces the idea that dental treatment is painful and scary and continues the vicious cycle.

At the Wausau dental office of Dr. James Kim, we’ve decided to be part of the solution. We want to make it possible for everyone to visit the dentist and get the care they need and deserve.

Dr. Kim is skilled in sedation dentistry and can use nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation to help relax you and reduce your fear and anxiety. Additionally, Dr. Kim is one of a select few dentists in the state of Wisconsin who can use IV sedation.

If you’ve been putting off routine dental visits because of anxiety, you owe it to yourself to find out more about sedation dentistry and how it can help. Routine visits are important to help prevent dental emergencies. Call us today to find out more about how sedation dentistry can turn your dental visit into a pleasant, relaxing experience.

Is sedation dentistry appropriate for children?

While sedation dentistry can be appropriate for children in certain specific circumstances, we want to ensure the safety of our patients.

Children’s bodies are not the same as adults. They have specific needs, and providing medication (including sedation) is not as simple as just “cutting the dose.” There are many factors that need to be taken into account.

For this reason, we recommend that younger patients who are in need of sedation dentistry should see a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists have received additional training in the specific sedation needs for children and have the necessary knowledge to ensure your child’s safety.

Children who may benefit from sedation dentistry include:

Children who are too young to follow instructions or sit still
Children who need extensive dental treatment or restorative dentistry
Children with special needs who may have anxiety or an inability to stay still

If you like, we are happy to provide you with a referral to a pediatric dentist.

Our Wausau dental office can provide sedation dentistry, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation, to our teenaged and adult patients. We follow all necessary precautions to ensure your comfort and safety throughout your treatment. These are our top priorities.

What kind of sedation dentistry do you offer?

Dental fear and anxiety are incredibly common. Some studies estimate as many as one in seven people may experience such strong anxiety that they avoid dental care altogether.

Levels of anxiety can vary from mild fears to strong panic and phobia. This means that the way we address dental anxiety also needs to vary.

We are proud to offer several different levels of sedation dentistry to our patients. No matter what level of fear you experience, we have a solution for you.

Patients who experience mild fear or anxiety may benefit from nitrous oxide, more commonly known as “laughing gas.” This gentle sedative is inhaled and provides a calm or sometimes mildly euphoric sensation. The sedation effect quickly leaves the body after the mask is removed, which means that you can safely drive yourself to and from your appointment and resume your normal activities.

Oral sedation relies on an anxiety-relieving medication taken in pill form. You take the medication about an hour ahead of your visit, and it reduces both anxiety and sensation. This option is stronger and the effects linger for a longer time, so you will need a friend or family member to take you home following your appointment.

If you have a great deal of dental work to complete or severe anxiety, please talk to us. We can help! Dr. James Kim is one of very few dentists in Wisconsin to offer IV sedation dentistry to his patients. IV sedation provides deep relaxation. You also won’t remember much of your appointment. If you opt for IV sedation, you will need a ride to and from our office and you should plan to take it easy until the medication fully wears off.

When is it appropriate to use sedation dentistry?

Because each patient is a unique individual, we are careful to listen closely to your needs when we are discussing sedation dentistry and whether that can be beneficial.

The fact is – some people handle cleanings just fine but need mild sedation for more extensive procedures while eithers feel intense anxiety just at the thought of sitting in the chair. And that’s okay! We just want to know more about your concerns so we can adjust our treatment to suit you.

Sedation dentistry can be effectively used in the following scenarios:

Children and those with special needs – We do not provide sedation dentistry for children at our Wausau dental office. Because of the variation in children’s bodies, it is important that you seek care from a pediatric dentist (a specialist who has had extra training in children’s dental care) if your child struggles with routine treatments. We are happy to provide a referral.
Fear and anxiety – One in seven people avoids seeing the dentist because of fear and anxiety. If you are one of these people, please let us know. We have calming options that range from nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) to deep IV sedation.
Long or extended treatment – If you require multiple procedures, sedation dentistry may be a good option. Sedation can help the time seem to fly by and often reduces your memories of the treatment. This also reduces the need for multiple appointments.
Specific treatments – Some people do just fine during a cleaning but start to feel stressed at the idea of certain therapies, like root canal therapy or an extraction. If you feel your pulse start to race when we recommend a treatment, please let us know so that we can address your needs.

Sedation Dentistry in Wausau, WI

One of the nice perks of modern technology is that you do not have to settle for less living in Wausau, WI. It was not too long ago where you had to travel to one of the major cities to get special dental care like sedation, but that is no longer the case. Today’s technology allows people to receive the best oral care with a trained and experienced sedation dentist right here in Wausau.